California Spiced Cheese Puffs

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium sized saucepan, add the water, butter, sugar, and salt and heat over medium-low until the butter is fully melted. Add in all of the flour and using a wooden spoon, mix together until a ball of dough forms. Continue cooking the dough for 2-3 minutes, or until a ‘film’ starts to form on the bottom and sides of the pan. Transfer the dough to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and turn the speed to low. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing fully after each one.

3. With the mixer on low, add in the cheeses and mix just until combined. Transfer the dough to a pastry bag fitted with a small round piping tip.

4. Place tiny blobs of the dough in the corners of the baking sheet underneath the parchment paper to hold it in place. Holding the bag perpendicular to the baking sheet, apply even pressure and pipe a small amount of dough, about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Repeat with the remaining dough, leaving about one inch in between each one. If you created any ‘peaks’ on the tops of the dough, dip a clean finger into some water and gently pat the peaks away.

5. Brush each puff lightly with the egg wash and sprinkle the tops with as little or as much of the spice seasoning as you would like.

6. Bake the Cheese Puffs for 10 minutes then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue to bake for another 20-25 minutes or until the cheese puffs are golden brown.

7. Let cool slightly and serve warm.

Servings: Makes about 24 Cheese Puffs