Gougère / Cheese Bun

Gougère or Cheese bun is from the French cuisine,it is a baked savory usually served as an appetizer.This would look like a bun, but it is a nice and crispy hollow bun.I happened to make this when i was looking out for recipes with thyme leaves, as i had some in my refrigerator.This is a very easy recipe which can be made in few minutes if you have all the ingredients handy.

Ingredients

• Water-1/2 cup
• Butter- 4 tbsp
• All purpose flour- 1/2 cup
• Eggs-2
• Salt as per taste
• Sugar-1 tsp
• Grated cheese- 1/2 cup
• Thyme leaves (fresh or dried) -1 1/2 tbsp ( you can even try adding a different herb of your choice)
• Coarsely ground black pepper- 1 1/2 tbsp (adjust as per your spice level)

Method

Pre heat oven to 400 degree F, butter the baking pan and keep it aside.

In a sauce pan add water, salt,sugar, and butter and bring them to boil, reduce the flame and add the flour,stir until it becomes a nice and soft ball.

Remove this from the flame and set aside for few minutes.To this add egg one at a time and stir quickly,at first this would look a little lumpy, as you mix it well, it becomes a nice smooth mass.

Add 3/4 th cheese, thyme leaves and coarsely ground pepper and mix well. 

Use a ice cream scoop/spoon/pastry bag with a wide tip to make small rounds just like a small bun , top each buns with the remaining cheese.This makes about 12 buns.

Bake it for 10 minutes, then turn down the temperature to 350 degree F and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until they become nice golden colour.

                   Nice and crispy Gougère or Cheese bun is ready to be relished..:)