Ham and Cheese Gougeres

Heat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or 200 degrees Celsius. Next, place a baking sheet on the oven rack and cover it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Place the saucepan over high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. The moment it reaches boiling point, instantly switch off the heat and pour in 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of flour into the saucepan. Using a wooden spoon, mix everything together until it forms a smooth and consistent mixture.

Then, one egg at a time, incorporate them into the dough until you achieve a smooth and sticky consistency. Make sure to beat each egg thoroughly before adding the next one, until you get a perfectly combined paste.

Add grated Gruyere cheese and diced ham to the dough, mixing them in until they are fully incorporated.

Using a spoon or your hands, drop large dollops of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between each one to allow for expansion during cooking.

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake until the gougeres are golden brown and have puffed up, approximately 20 minutes. Remove them from the oven and transfer them to a plate to cool.