Apple Pie and Cheddar Gougere

Directions

1. PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. COMBINE milk, ½ cup water, ½ cup butter, sugar, and Florida Sunshine Spice Blend in a pan over medium-low heat. Stir until it comes to a boil.
3. ADD flour. Beat with a wooden spoon until a smooth dough ball forms and a light crust forms on bottom of pan. Transfer to a mixer with paddle. Beat on medium adding one egg at a time.
4. BEAT in cheese.
5. WHILE still warm, place the dough in a zip-top bag, cut off a corner (½-inch diameter). Pipe about 1½ Tbsp. of the dough in mounds on the baking sheets, leaving 1-inch between.
6. BRUSH with egg wash and bake for 15 mins.
7. REDUCE heat to 350°F and bake for 15 mins. more until golden, dry, and crisp. Set on a wire rack to cool.
8. MELT 2 Tbsp. butter in a large pan over high heat until foaming.
9. WHISK in the Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend. Add the apples and toss until coated.
10. COVER the pan, reduce heat to medium and steam-sauté for about 5 mins., until the apples are beginning to soften.
11. ADD 2 Tbsp. of water, honey, and lemon juice then continue to cook uncovered stirring frequently until the liquids are nearly evaporated and the apples are nicely glazed, about 5 mins. more.
12. CAREFULLY cut off the top of each cheddar gougère and fill with the apple pie filling; garnish with extra cheese, replace top and enjoy.
13. *Gougères can be made and frozen (before baking). Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container and keep frozen for up to 1 month. No need to defrost; continue with recipe adding a couple mins. more to your baking time.