Name: Mac’N’Cheese Puffs recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 40
Ingredients: 125g butter; 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup milk; 1 cup plain flour; 4 eggs; 100g tasty cheese, grated; 1 cup macaroni; 80g bacon, finely diced; 1 tsp olive oil; 40g butter; 2 tbs plain flour; 2 cups milk; 150g tasty cheese, grated

by Greer Worsley Last updated on 10/08/2019

A cross between a cheesy pastry puff and creamy mac ’n’ cheese, these savoury bites make the perfect party food. - Greer Worsley

Ingredients

125g butter
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1 cup plain flour
4 eggs
100g tasty cheese, grated

Mac 'n' Cheese

1 cup macaroni
80g bacon, finely diced
1 tsp olive oil
40g butter
2 tbs plain flour
2 cups milk
150g tasty cheese, grated

Method

Step 1

To make mac ’n’ cheese, cook macaroni in a pot of salted boiling water for 8 - 10 minutes until al dente. Meanwhile, fry bacon in oil for 2-3 minutes, then drain on a paper towel. Melt butter in a saucepan and whisk in flour. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring, then whisk in milk. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until thick and smooth. Remove from heat and stir through cheese. Drain macaroni and add to cheese sauce with the bacon. Stir well to combine. Set aside to cool.
Step 2

Preheat oven to 190C. Line two oven trays with baking paper.
Step 3

In another saucepan, combine the butter, water and milk, and bring to the boil. Add the flour and beat with a wooden spoon over medium heat for 3 minutes until it is smooth and starting to dry out. Place in the bowl of a stand mixer and allow to cool slightly. Then, with the beater on medium speed, add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly between each addition. Continue mixing, scraping down the sides, until the mixture is smooth and soft.
Step 4

Add cooled mac ’n’ cheese mixture plus extra cheese, and stir until well combined.
Step 5

Place small balls of mixture onto the lined oven trays. Bake for 20 minutes until puffed and golden. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

from Australia’s Best Recipes team

You can prepare these well in advance and have them ready on the trays, then pop them in the oven when your guests arrive so they can be served piping hot.

Use a hand-held beater if you don’t have a stand mixer. Alternatively, you can beat in the eggs with a wooden spoon.

I made ping-pong sized balls of mixture - they puff up a lot in the oven - but you can make them bigger or smaller if you prefer.

This recipe was created and photographed by Greer Worsley for Australia's Best Recipes.