Ham and Cheese Pufflets

Via Dorie Greenspan: Baking From My Home to Yours - adapted by Isabelle

For the dough:

200g (1 cup) butter, at room temperature

30 g (2 tbsp.) sugar

1 ml (1/4 tsp.) salt

200 g (1 2/3 cups) all-purpose flour

30 ml (2 tbsp.) grated Parmesan cheese - optional

165 g (3/4 cup) cottage cheese

For the filling:

8 slices yellow cheddar cheese - or your choice

150 g (2/3 cup) ham, cut into small cubes

sesame seeds - optional

In the bowl of your food processor, mix butter and cottage cheese.

Beat for about 2 minutes.

In another bowl, combine flour, Parmesan cheese, sugar and salt.

Add flour mixture to the cheese and pulse until it forms a ball.

Divide dough in half and flatten into a square, then wrap in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for a least 3 hours.

When your dough is very cold and you're ready to get your pufflets, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).

On a floured surface or between 2 "Silpat" or 2 pieces of plastic wrap, roll your dough to a thickness of a scant 1/8 inch.

Using a cookie cutter, cut the dough into round or square - I use a 10 cm (4 inch) round cookie cutter. You'll have about 16 pufflets.

Place a piece of cheese on each pufflets and add the diced ham over cheese.

Using a brush, moisten the edges of your dough, fold the dough over to enclose the ham and cheese.

Pock a hole in a center of each.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.

Bake the pastries 20 to 25 minutes.

Makes 16 pufflets.

Bon Appétit!