Chocolate Crepe Souffle Recipes

MINT CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé CREPES

Steps:

• To make the filling:
• In a saucepan stir together the cocoa powder, 1/3 cup of the sugar, the cornstarch, and a pinch of salt, add the milk in a stream, whisking, and bring the mixture to a boil, whisking until it is thick and smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool. In a bowl beat the egg whites until they hold soft peaks, add the mint extract, and beat in the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, a little at a time, beating until the whites hold stiff peaks. Stir one third of the whites into the cocoa mixture and fold in the remaining whites gently but thoroughly.
• Make 8 crêpes (procedure follows) with the chocolate crêpe batter. Spread 1/3 cup of the filling onto half of each crêpe and fold the crêpes gently over the filling. Bake the crêpes on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F. oven for 10 minutes, transfer them to plates, and serve them with the sauce.
• To make crêpes:
• melted unsalted butter for brushing the pan crêpe batter
• In a blender or food processor blend the flour, the cocoa, the sugar, the salt, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water, the milk, the eggs, and the butter for 5 seconds. Turn off the motor, with a rubber spatula scrape down the sides of the container, and blend the batter for 20 seconds more. Transfer the batter to a bowl and let it stand, covered for 1 hour. The batter may be made
• 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Makes enough batter for about 18 crêpes.
• Heat a crêpe pan or non-stick skillet measuring 6 to 7 inches across the bottom over moderate heat until it is hot. Brush the pan lightly with the butter, heat it until it is hot but not smoking, and remove it from the heat. Stir the batter, half fill a 1/4-cup measure with it, and pour the batter into the pan. Tilt and rotate the pan quickly to cover the bottom with a layer of batter and return any excess batter to bowl. Return the pan to the heat, loosen the edge of the crêpe with a spatula, and cook the crêpe for 1 minute, or until the top appears almost dry. Turn the crêpe, cook the other side lightly, and transfer the crêpe to a plate. Make crêpe with the remaining batter in the same manner, brushing the pan lightly with butter as necessary. The crêpes may be made 3 days in advance, kept stacked, wrapped in plastic wrap, and chilled.
• To make the sauce:
• In a heavy saucepan heat the chocolate and the cream over moderately low heat, stirring, until the chocolate is melted, but do not let the mixture boil. In a small bowl combine the cocoa powder with the brown sugar. In a small heavy saucepan bring 1/4 cup water to a simmer, add the cocoa powder mixture, a little at a time, stirring, and cook the mixture over moderately low heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Add the chocolate cream mixture and the salt and cook the mixture, stirring, until it is smooth, but do not let it boil. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the vanilla, and transfer the sauce to a bowl. Let the sauce cool and chill it, covered, for at least 2 hours, or until it is cold. The sauce keeps, covered and chilled, for 2 weeks. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE WITH ESPRESSO CREME ANGLAISE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and remove the top oven rack. Prepare 6 (8-ounce) coffee cups or ramekins with straight sides (or a 2-quart souffle dish) by greasing with butter and coating with granulated sugar, pour out any excess. The butter and sugar will keep the souffles from sticking to the sides, which will allow them to rise evenly. The sugar will also give the souffle a crunchy crust, which is a great contrast to the soft interior.
• To make the pastry cream base for the souffle: Combine the milk and vanilla bean and seeds in a heavy large pot and place over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a brief simmer, until bubbles form around the edge of the pot; do not boil. Remove from heat and discard the vanilla bean. The vanilla bean can be rinsed and dried and kept for another use.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, flour, and 1/4 cup of sugar until slightly thickened and lemon-colored. Temper the yolks by gradually whisking in about half of the hot milk mixture (do not add too quickly or the eggs will cook.) Return the pastry cream back to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it is nice and thick, enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Slowly melt the chocolate with the Frangelico in a double boiler over hot water or in a microwave set on high for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through the heating time to smooth it out. Stir the melted chocolate mixture into the pastry cream; cool to room temperature.
• In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites and salt just until they hold soft peaks. Using a rubber spatula, fold 1/3 of the beaten whites into the chocolate pastry cream to lighten it, then gently fold in the rest. Spoon the batter into the prepared coffee cups, 2/3 of the way full, and shake them gently to smooth out the top. Place the coffee cups on a cookie sheet and bake on the middle rack for about 20 minutes. The souffle is done when it has puffed over the rim, the outside is golden and the center is still a bit loose and creamy; take care not to over bake. To serve, have each guest crack open the top of the souffle with a spoon and pour in the Espresso Crème Anglaise. Dust the top with confectioners' sugar.
• Pour the heavy cream and vanilla bean and seeds into a saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a brief simmer, until bubbles form around the edge of the pot; do not boil. Remove from heat. Discard the vanilla bean. The vanilla bean can be rinsed and dried and kept for another use.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, coffee, and espresso powder, until well blended. Temper the yolks by gradually whisking in the hot cream mixture (do not add too quickly or the eggs will cook.) Return the custard back to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately with Chocolate Souffle. (If not serving immediately, press plastic wrap on the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate.)

FORGOTTEN CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 6-cup souffle dish or casserole.
• Melt the chocolate and butter in a large bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, stirring frequently. (Or in a microwave-safe glass bowl in a microwave at 50 percent power for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring well every 30 seconds until the chocolate is melted and smooth.) Cool completely.
• Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the cooled mixture and add salt and 6 tablespoons sugar. Add yolks 1 at a time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in the flour.
• Beat the whites with a pinch of salt in a bowl using an electric mixer at high speed until they hold soft peaks. Add the remaining 6 tablespoons sugar, a little at a time, beating until the whites hold stiff glossy peaks.
• Whisk about 1/4 of the whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten the batter, then fold in the remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Pour the batter into the souffle dish, spreading it evenly.
• Bake about 30 to 35 minutes or until the center is still jiggling and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs adhering to it. Serve the souffle warm.

THE BEST CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE EVER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Butter soufflé dish and sprinkle with sugar.
• Knock out any excess sugar.
• Divide the egg yolks from the egg whites Melt chocolate in a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water (or a double-boiler, if you have one), stirring until the chocolate is melted and uniformly smooth.
• Remove bowl from heat and stir in yolks.
• Beat whites in a large bowl until they just hold soft peaks.
• Add 1/3 cup sugar, a little at a time, continuing to beat, then beat at a higher speed until whites just hold stiff peaks.
• Stir about 1 cup whites into chocolate mixture to lighten, then gently yet thoroughly fold mixture into remaining whites.
• Transfer mixture into soufflé dish.
• Bake in center of oven until it appears cooked and crusted on top but is still jiggly in center (roughly 25 minutes).
• Serve immediately.

EASY CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Separate eggs; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Coat six 6-oz. souffle dishes with cooking spray. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sugar into each dish, tilting to cover the bottom and sides; set aside., Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, whisk corn syrup, cocoa, egg yolks and vanilla until blended; set aside. In a large bowl with clean beaters, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar on high until stiff peaks form. Gently fold a fourth of the egg white mixture into chocolate mixture; fold in remaining egg white mixture., Spoon batter into prepared dishes. Bake 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve warm.

CHEF JOHN'S CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Brush bottom and sides of 2 (5-ounce) ramekins lightly with 1 teaspoon melted butter; cover bottom and sides right up to the rim. Add 1 tablespoon white sugar to ramekins. Rotate ramekins until sugar coats all surfaces. Pour off extra sugar.
• Place chocolate pieces in a metal mixing bowl. Place bowl over a pan of about 3 cups hot water over low heat. Do not let water boil or come to a simmer.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour. Whisk until flour is incorporated into butter and mixture thickens, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low. Whisk in cold milk until mixture becomes smooth and thickens, 2 or 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat. Transfer mixture to bowl with melted chocolate. Add salt and very small pinch of cayenne pepper. Mix together thoroughly. Add egg yolk and mix to combine. Leave bowl above the hot (not simmering) water to keep chocolate warm while you whip the egg whites.
• Place 2 egg whites in a mixing bowl; add cream of tartar. Whisk until mixture begins to thicken and a drizzle from the whisk stays on the surface about 1 second before disappearing into the mix, 2 or 3 minutes. Add 1/3 of sugar and whisk in. Whisk in a bit more sugar about 15 seconds; whisk in the rest of the sugar. Continue whisking until mixture is about as thick as shaving cream and holds soft peaks, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer a little less than half of egg whites to chocolate. Mix until egg whites are thoroughly incorporated into the chocolate, 1 or 2 minutes. Add the rest of the egg whites; gently fold into the chocolate with a spatula, lifting from the bottom and folding over. Stop mixing after the egg white disappears. Divide mixture between 2 prepared ramekins. Place ramekins on prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven until scuffles are puffed and have risen above the top of the rims, 12 to 15 minutes.

QUINCE CALVADOS CRêPE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Make crêpe batter:
• Whisk together all crêpe ingredients until smooth, then chill, covered, 30 minutes.
• Poach quince:
• Combine water, sugar, zest, and a pinch of salt in a 3-quart heavy saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Add quince and simmer, covered, until fruit is very tender but not falling apart, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Discard zest.
• Cook crêpes while fruit poaches:
• Lightly brush an 8- to 9-inch nonstick skillet with butter, then heat over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Holding skillet off heat, pour in a scant 1/4 cup batter, immediately tilting and rotating skillet to coat bottom. (If batter sets before skillet is coated, reduce heat slightly.) Return skillet to heat and cook crêpe until just set and golden around edges, 10 to 15 seconds. Loosen edge of crêpe with a heatproof rubber spatula, then transfer crêpe to a plate. Brush skillet with more butter and make 3 more crêpes in same manner, stacking crêpes on plate.
• Finish preparing quince:
• Measure out 3/4 cup poached fruit with a slotted spoon and 3 tablespoons cooking syrup (reserve remainder in saucepan), then purée in a food processor with vanilla and 1 tablespoon Calvados until smooth.
• Transfer remaining fruit from reserved syrup with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Pour syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into another bowl, then return to saucepan and boil until reduced to about 1/2 cup, 8 to 12 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and remaining tablespoon Calvados and cool.
• Measure out 3/4 cup reserved fruit, then chop and set aside. Stir remaining fruit into reduced syrup and set aside separately.
• Make soufflés:
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.
• Beat whites with a pinch of salt using an electric mixer at medium-high speed until they just hold soft peaks. Add granulated sugar in a slow stream, beating, and beat at medium-high speed until whites just hold stiff peaks. Fold one third of whites into quince purée, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Gently fold in chopped fruit.
• Brush bottom sides of crêpes with some melted butter and put in a 15- by 10-inch shallow baking pan (about half of each crêpe will hang over). Divide soufflé mixture among crêpes, spooning it in center and spreading it over half of each crêpe. Gently fold other half of each crêpe over filling to rest on top. Bake until filling is puffed, set, and pale golden in spots, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Dust crêpes with confectioners sugar and serve immediately with reserved quince and syrup.

NEVER-FAIL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• In a medium-sized bowl, combine cocoa and cornstarch thoroughly.
• Add a little of the cream and whisk to make a smooth paste.
• Whisk in remaining cream and the liqueur.
• I have made this with Kahlua, Grand Marnier, Chambord and brandy-- they're all good.
• If you use the evaporated milk instead of cream, expect the mixture to be pretty soupy.
• In a large bowl, beat egg whites until almost stiff.
• Slowly beat in sugar and beat until stiff and glossy.
• Now gently whisk a quarter of the egg whites into the cocoa mixture.
• Gently fold in another quarter.
• Now add all this mixture into the remainder of the egg whites and gently fold until well blended.
• Spoon the souffle batter into 6-to-8 1/2-cup sized custard cups.
• The volume you get will depend on how well you beat the egg whites and if you folded them into the cocoa mixture without deflating them too much.
• Don't worry, even if you only get 6 they will be wonderful.
• Set custard cups into a deep baking pan and carry this to the oven.
• Open oven, pull out rack, and set down pan.
• Now pour very hot tap water in the baking pan to come up about one-inch around the outside of the custard cups.
• (I do it this way so I don't have to carry the pan with the souffles and water to the oven-- it's heavy and you risk sloshing water into your souffles.) Slide in oven rack, close oven door and bake for 25 minutes.
• The centres will be a little runny, as they should be.
• Serve immediately.

THE BEST CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Cut a square piece of parchment paper that is larger than the springform pan. Set it on the bottom of the springform pan and secure the ring on top; the paper will extend outside of the springform pan, which makes it easier to remove the torte after baking. Grease the sides of the springform pan.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate until melted. Allow to cool lightly.
• Beat egg yolks and 1/2 the sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until light and foamy, about 5 minutes. It is important to beat a lot of air into the egg yolks, so they almost triple in volume.
• Fold lightly cooled chocolate mixture into the egg yolk mixture using a spatula.
• Beat egg whites in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl until foamy using the electric mixer on medium speed. Gradually add remaining sugar and salt, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
• Stir 1/3 of the egg whites into the chocolate batter to thin it out. Then carefully fold in the remaining egg whites using a spatula. Immediately transfer batter into the prepared springform pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until torte is no longer glossy, 30 to 40 minutes. Be careful not to bake too long, otherwise it will get dry.
• Cool on a wire rack until completely cool. Unmold carefully, since the torte breaks easily.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a heavy-duty jellyroll pan 10 by 15 inches. Line the bottom of the pan with wax paper, allowing it to extend about two inches past the ends. Butter the paper.
• Combine 9 ounces of the chocolate with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the espresso powder and 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon of the boiling water in the top of a double boiler. Stir until smooth and set aside to cool.
• Beat the egg yolks until very thick and light. Gradually beat in the sugar. Stir in the cooled chocolate mixture and set aside.
• Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt, by hand in a copper bowl if possible, until they form peaks but are still of a creamy consistency. Do not overbeat. Stir one-quarter of this mixture into the chocolate mixture, then fold in the rest.
• Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake about 20 minutes, until puffy and beginning to shrink from the sides of the pan. The surface will also have lost its sheen and will spring back when touched lightly. Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool on a rack for 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, dissolve the remaining 4 tablespoons espresso in the remaining tablespoon of boiling water. Stir until syrupy, then refrigerate.
• Beat the cream in a chilled bowl until thick, like sour cream, but not yet stiff. Sift in the confectioner's sugar, beating, then the cooled espresso. Refrigerate.
• Place remaining chocolate in the top of a double boiler. Stir when melted. Remove from heat and stir in the butter. Add the oil, stir; set aside.
• To assemble the cake dust the top with half of the cocoa. Gently warm the bottom of the jellyroll pan by holding it over a low burner, moving it around. Cover the pan with a large flat baking sheet, invert the pan and the baking sheet together. Hold down the wax paper and lift off the jellyroll pan. Carefully peel off the wax paper. Dust the cake very lightly with the remaining cocoa.
• Cut the cake in four equal portions crosswise. Using two broad spatulas, lift one of the portions onto a serving dish. Gently spread with some of the chilled espresso cream. Top with another portion of the cake, spread with more of the cream, add another cake layer, more cream, then the final cake layer. If any of the cake sections crack slightly while being transferred, don't worry. Icing will cover the flaws. Remove any excess cream from the sides of the cake with a spatula.
• Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes.
• Mask the exposed parts of the platter with pieces of foil or wax paper, slipping them just under the edges of the cake.
• If the glaze has set, warm it gently until it is fairly liquid. Pour about three-quarters of the glaze over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Smooth the top and cover the sides with the remaining glaze. Pat the toasted almonds all over the sides of the cake. Remove the protective paper or foil from the platter. Refrigerate at least one hour before serving.
• Cut the cake with a thin knife warmed in hot water and wiped dry.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Butter and flour a 10-by-2-inch round cake pan and line with a circle of parchment paper.
• Put chocolate, butter, orange zest, vanilla and almonds in top of double boiler. Melt over hot water, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat as soon as chocolate is melted.
• Beat the egg yolks with half the sugar (in electric mixer, if desired) until mixture is thick and a slowly dissolving ribbon drops from a lifted beater. Fold lukewarm chocolate mixture into egg-sugar mixture with a large rubber spatula. Whip egg whites until foamy, then gradually add remaining sugar. Continue beating until stiff peaks form. Using rubber spatula, blend lightly but thoroughly into chocolate-egg mixture. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• Remove cake from oven and loosen sides with a sharp knife. Unmold onto a wire rack, then quickly and carefully reverse onto a second rack so that the cake is the right side up. The cake will sink slightly. Let cool.
• To make Creme Anglais, whisk egg yolks and sugar together, or beat in an electric mixer, until thick and lemon colored. Mix cornstarch with a little cold milk and add to rest of milk. Scald milk and pour over yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Pour custard into a heavy pan, preferably of tin-lined copper. Avoid using a plain aluminum pan, which discolors sauce.
• Stir with a wooden spoon over low to medium heat until custard starts to coat spoon and reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer. Do not cook over too high a heat, or the eggs will curdle.
• Strain into a clean dry bowl and stir in vanilla. Let cool, stirring occasionally to prevent skin from forming. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Makes 6 cups.
• Before serving, sprinkle the cake with sifted powdered sugar. If you wish, cut a large Christmas star of light cardboard and lay on top of the cake before dusting with sugar. Carefully remove the star, and the pattern will remain. Serve wedges of cake on dessert plates on a pool of Creme Anglais.