Step 1: Preparation and Preheating

1. Preheat Oven: Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat it to 325°F (160°C). A lower temperature is key for gentle cooking.
2. Cook Bacon: If you haven’t already, cook your bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Once cooled, crumble or chop the bacon into small pieces.
3. Grease the Mold: Thoroughly grease the inside of each cavity of your silicone egg bite mold with cooking spray or melted butter. This is a crucial step to prevent sticking, even with a non-stick silicone mold.

Step 2: Distribute the Fillings

1. Layer the Ingredients: Divide your fillings evenly among the greased cavities. Start by placing a pinch of the crumbled bacon in the bottom of each one.
2. Add Cheese and Onions: Sprinkle about half of your shredded Gruyère cheese over the bacon. Follow with the sliced green onions. Reserving half the cheese for the top will create a lovely golden-brown crust.

Step 3: Blend the Egg Mixture

1. Combine Wet Ingredients: In the container of your high-speed blender, add the 9 large eggs, 1 cup of cottage cheese, the remaining half of the shredded Gruyère cheese, salt, pepper, and optional hot sauce.
2. Blend Until Smooth: Secure the lid and blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds. The mixture should be completely smooth, pale yellow, and very frothy. You should not see any lumps of cottage cheese. This aeration step is what makes the egg bites light and fluffy.

Step 4: Fill the Mold and Create the Water Bath

1. Pour the Egg Mixture: Carefully pour the blended egg mixture from the blender into the prepared silicone mold cavities. Fill each cavity about three-quarters full, leaving a little space at the top as the eggs will puff up while baking.
2. Set up the Bain-Marie (Water Bath): Place the filled silicone mold inside your 9×13 inch baking pan. Bring a kettle or small pot of water to a simmer. Carefully pour the hot water into the baking pan, around the outside of the silicone mold. The water should come about halfway up the sides of the mold. Be careful not to splash any water into the egg mixture.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

1. Bake: Carefully transfer the entire baking pan setup into your preheated oven. Bake for 25-35 minutes.
2. Check for Doneness: The egg bites are done when they are puffed up and the center is just set. It should have a slight jiggle, but not be liquidy. You can test one by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean or with moist crumbs, but no wet egg batter.
3. Rest and Cool: Carefully remove the baking pan from the oven. Let the silicone mold sit in the water bath for about 5-10 minutes. The egg bites will deflate slightly as they cool—this is normal.
4. Remove and Serve: After resting, carefully lift the silicone mold out of the water bath. Let the bites cool in the mold for another 5 minutes before gently popping them out. This extra cooling time helps them firm up and release cleanly.