Cheese and Bacon Gougères

Ingredients

Buttermilk 3/4 cups

Butter 5 tbsp

Flour 250 g

Eggs 3

Bacon 50 g

Cheddar Cheese 250 g

Cumin 1/2 tbsp

Basil 1 tbsp

Salt to taste

Ground black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Dice the bacon and fry in a small skillet until very crisp. Place it on a paper towel to drain.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Once the butter is completely melted, add all the flour.

Briskly stir the batter with a wooden spoon until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring until incorporated. Turn off the heat and continue stirring until the dough becomes sticky and glossy.

Add the bacon, herbs, cheese, ground pepper, and 1/4 tablespoon of salt. Form into balls with a tablespoon.

Smooth the edges with a spoon or your hands (wet the spoon or fingers to prevent the dough from sticking). Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the gougères are golden brown. Reduce the temperature to 180°C (350°F) and bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Turn off the oven and remove the gougères.

Prick the gougères with a toothpick to release excess steam. Return them to the oven, without turning them on, for another 15-20 minutes to dry out slightly.

 Serve gougères warm or at room temperature.

Enjoy!