Buttery Basil Parmesan Puffs
Description: Your guests will go bonkers over these! Basil and Parmesan, always a winning combination! You can make these up to a month in advance and freeze them, then take them directly to the oven from the freezer.
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 24 puffs
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup water
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups basil leaves, finely chopped
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions:
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Prepare Basil: Start by finely chopping the basil leaves and setting them aside for later use.
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Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready when the puffs are prepared.
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Boil Mixture: In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the water, butter, and salt to a rolling boil.
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Add Flour: Once the butter has melted, add the flour all at once, and whisk vigorously over medium heat until the mixture forms a smooth, thick dough that pulls away from the sides of the pan.
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Transfer Dough: Transfer the dough to the mixing bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer.
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Beat Mixture: Using the paddle attachment, beat the mixture on medium speed until it slightly cools down.
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Incorporate Basil: Add the chopped basil to the dough and mix until it’s evenly incorporated, giving the dough a vibrant green color.
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Add Eggs: Gradually add the eggs, one at a time, to the mixture, beating until smooth after each addition.
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Continue Mixing: Mix the dough for an additional minute after all the eggs have been added to ensure a smooth consistency.
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Incorporate Cheese: Finally, add the grated Parmesan cheese to the mixture and process until it’s fully incorporated.
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Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
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Form Puffs: Drop the dough onto the prepared cookie sheets in tablespoon-sized balls, leaving about 1 inch of space between each puff.
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Bake: Place the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the puffs are lightly browned and crisp.
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Serve: These delightful puffs are best served while still warm, allowing your guests to enjoy their buttery goodness.
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Make Ahead Option: If planning to serve later, the unbaked puffs can be refrigerated for up to six hours before baking or frozen on cookie sheets, then transferred to freezer bags or containers. When baking from frozen, allow an extra five minutes of baking time.
Offer a Spread:
- To enhance the experience, consider offering a delicious butter spread such as sun-dried tomato butter to complement the puffs.
- Combine 1 pound of butter, 1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes, 1/2 cup of pine nuts, and 1 tablespoon of fresh garlic in a mixing bowl.
- Mix together thoroughly, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, then serve alongside the warm puffs for a memorable appetizer experience.
Enjoy creating these Buttery Basil Parmesan Puffs for your next gathering, whether it’s a potluck, holiday celebration, or simply a delightful snack to enjoy any time! 🌿🧀
