Cheddar Cheese Gougères

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven
   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Make the choux pastry base
   In a medium saucepan, combine water, milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the butter is completely melted. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium.
3. Add flour and cook the dough
   Add all the flour at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 1-2 minutes. Continue to cook and stir for another minute to dry out the dough slightly.
4. Cool and add eggs
   Transfer the dough to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl if using a hand mixer). Let it cool for 2-3 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. The dough should be smooth, glossy, and thick enough to hold its shape.
5. Incorporate the cheese and seasonings
   Fold in 1 1/4 cups of the cheddar cheese, Gruyère (if using), mustard powder, cayenne pepper, and thyme leaves until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
6. Pipe the gougères
   Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip (or use a spoon). Pipe or spoon mounds about 1 1/2 inches in diameter onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the tops.
7. Bake until golden
   Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the gougères are puffed and golden brown. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through cooking for even browning. They should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
8. Serve warm
   For the best flavor and texture, serve the gougères warm from the oven. If needed, you can poke a small hole in the bottom of each gougère to release steam and prevent them from becoming soggy. They can also be cooled and reheated in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5 minutes before serving.