Gruyere Gougeres. Cheese Puffs

Ingredients

1 Cup Water

½ Cup Unsalted Butter

½ Teaspoon White Sugar

1 Cup All-Purpose Flour

¾ Cup Grated Gruyere Cheese

⅛ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

⅛ Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

2 Tablespoons Grated Gruyere Cheese

3 Eggs, Or More As Needed

Directions

Step 1-Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2-Combine water, butter, and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and immediately add flour. Stir quickly with a wooden spoon for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Step 3-Return pan to heat and stir to let excess moisture evaporate, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Scoop dough into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Let cool slightly.

Step 4-Add 3/4 cup Gruyere cheese, cayenne, and black pepper to the dough. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. If mixture still clings to the beaters, add a fourth egg.

Step 5-Pipe or spoon tablespoonfuls of dough 2 inches apart onto a the prepared baking sheet. Add a small pinch of remaining Gruyere cheese on top of each puff.

Step 6-Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Lower temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and bake until puffed and golden brown, about 15 minutes more.