Irish Beer Cheese Puffs

1 . Stage

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone liner (such as Silpat®).

2 . Stage

Combine butter, beer, salt, and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Let butter melt and bring to a simmer. Add flour all at once and stir with a wooden spoon until it all comes together, about 30 seconds. Continue to cook and stir until the dough dries out a bit and starts sticking to the bottom of the pan, another minute or so. Turn off the heat and continue stirring for another 1 to 2 minutes, scraping as much off the bottom of the pan as you can.

3 . Stage

Transfer dough into a bowl. Add one egg and whisk it into a bit of the hot dough. Keep whisking in more dough until incorporated. Repeat with remaining egg, cleaning out the whisk as needed, until well combined and dough is sticky.

4 . Stage

Add ¾ cup Cheddar cheese and cayenne and stir until incorporated.

5 . Stage

Scoop 12 rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Press a little Cheddar on the tops and sides of each puff.

6 . Stage

Bake in the center of the preheated oven until nicely puffed and beautifully browned, about 25 minutes. Turn off the oven and crack the door; let cheese puffs cool, undisturbed, for 30 minutes.

7 . Stage

Meanwhile, make the spread: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add leek and ½ teaspoon salt; cook and stir until just barely tender, 7 to 10 minutes, adding a splash of water every few minutes to prevent browning.

8 . Stage

Stir in green onions and sauté briefly for 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer leek-onion mixture to a bowl and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes.

9 . Stage

Add lemon juice and mascarpone cheese and mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until cheese puffs have finished cooling.

10 . Stage

Serve cheese puffs with spread. Irish Beer Cheese Puffs. Chef John