Apple Cheddar Gougères with Crispy Prosciutto

Apple Cheddar Gougères with Crispy Prosciutto (otherwise known as cheese puffs!) is a fall appetizer your holiday guests will love. Much of the hard work can be done in advance, perfect for entertaining.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Stella Artois via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Stella Artois.

Adolescence of Seasons

I think I’m ready. Just about. I may have been holding on to all things summer, but I’m starting to get that itch, that feeling that perhaps summer is starting to wear out its welcome. I almost feel guilty saying that, we’ve enjoyed a bounty of deliciousness this season. But it’s been so long since I’ve had the desire to fire up the oven, I actually want cold weather to return so I can start indulging in baking and roasting again. It doesn’t help that I saw some candy corn (!) at the grocery store the other day.

We’re in that awkward stage, the adolescence of seasons. After a season of frivolity, it’s time to buckle down and get a little serious. Be homebodies again. But we’re not quite ready, and we still want to have that excuse to celebrate and have a good time, to soak in the last of the sun.

Gougères

So, I dipped my toe into baking again. Just a toe, it was 101 degrees, after all. I made some gougères, which is fancy-speak for cheese puffs. They look impressive, but really, are so, so simple.

So here’s the thing. I didn’t make gougères just to bite into little pillows of cheesy dough (though really, that would be good enough reason). I wanted an appetizer to pair with a chilled glass of crisp hard cider – a drink that is the perfect segue between summer and fall.

When I heard that Stella Artois released their take on a European cider made with fresh, hand-picked apples, I was definitely curious to try it. As I sought relief from the sweltering sun last weekend, I found Stella Artois Cidre so refreshing to sip as we settled into another hot late evening, drinking much like a crisp white wine. I’ll admit, it was a very nice change of pace from the usual glass of vino.

Apple Cheddar Gougeres with Crispy Prosciutto

As for the gougères, I took the warm puffs of cheesiness one extra step. Each was stuffed with a mound of sweetly spiced apple, cooked in Stella Artois Cidre, and topped with crisp slivers of prosciutto, for the perfect sweet and savory bite. Apple Cheddar Gougères with Crispy Prosciutto paired so well with each sip!

For now, my little baking bug has been satiated (in more ways than one!). We may be a few weeks away from cozy sweaters and pumpkin bread, and you know what, I’m okay with that. I think I’ll hold on to these warm summer evenings a wee bit little longer. If it means sneaking in small baking projects like this and sips of something cool and refreshing, summer can stay after all.

Cheers!

More Appetizers to Try

Lumpiang Shanghai – Filipino Spring Rolls (Lumpia)
Spiced Nuts: Sweet and Spicy Roasted Nuts
How to Make a Charcuterie Board
Olive Cheese Straws
Cranberry Pomegranate Baked Brie

“It’s Cidre, not cider.”

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Stella Artois via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Stella Artois.

Sponsored posts such as these help support the work behind the scenes on Kitchen Confidante. Thank you so much for your visits and for making my blog part of your day.

Apple Cheddar Gougères with Crispy Prosciutto

Apple Cheddar Gougères with Crispy Prosciutto (otherwise known as cheese puffs!) are a fall appetizer perfect for entertaining and holiday parties.

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Course Appetizer

Cuisine French

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 40 gougères

Calories 75kcal

Author Liren Baker

Ingredients

For the gougères:

• ▢ 1 cup skim milk
• ▢ 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ▢ 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ 4 large eggs
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
• ▢ 1 large egg whisked with 1 teaspoon water (for egg wash)

For the filling:

• ▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ▢ 2 1/2 cups diced apples such as Gala, Lady Crisp or Fuji
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ▢ 1/8 teaspoon all spice
• ▢ 1/8 teaspoon ground clove
• ▢ 1/4 cup agave nectar
• ▢ 1/4 cup hard cider I used Stella Artois Cidre
• ▢ 3 slices of prosciutto

COOK MODEPrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

For the Gougères:

• Preheat the oven to 425° F. Prepare two baking sheets by lining with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
• In a medium saucepan, warm the skim milk, butter, salt, and pepper over medium heat. Bring it to a bubble and whisk the butter until it is completely melted.
• Add the flour and using a wooden spoon, stir vigorously for about 5 minutes. It will be extremely thick and form into a ball.
• Place this into a food processor or the bowl of an electric mixer, add the eggs and cheddar cheese, and pulse until it is creamy and fully combined.
• Using a tiny ice cream scoop or a pastry bag with a 1 inch tip (I prefer the ice cream scoop for ease, just dip in hot water periodically), place about 1 tablespoon sized mounds on the prepared baking tray, about 20 puffs per tray, with about 1 inch spaces between. If the mounds are not perfectly round, use a wet fingertip to lightly pat into shape.
• At this point, you can place your baking trays in the freezer to bake at a later point. Otherwise, continue by lightly brushing each puff with the egg wash, then bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

For the Filling:

• Make the filling by melting the butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the apples and stir in the cinnamon, allspice, and ground clove.
• When the apples are fragrant, stir in the agave nectar and hard cider. Let the apples cook down until they are tender and the liquid is syrupy. Set aside.
• Crisp the prosciutto in a non stick skillet and set aside.

Assembly:

• Assemble the gougères by removing the tops of the baked puffs, filling them with a teaspoon or two of apple and topping with a sliver of crisp prosciutto. Serve immediately.

Notes

Inspired by and adapted from White Cheddar Gougeres, Apple Pulp, Prosciutto and Sage by Tyler Florence, via Food Network. Gougères recipe adapted from Cheese Puffs by Ina Garten, Barefoot in Paris (2004), via Food Network.

Nutrition

Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 177IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg

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