Chocolate Souffle Easy Foolproof Method Recipes

INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES (MAKE AHEAD)

Steps:

• Butter (8) 1 cup ramekins, then coat evenly with sugar.
• Shake out excess sugar and place in refrigerator until ready to use.
• Melt 4 tbsp butter and the chocolate in a double boiler.
• Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, salt, and creme de cacao.
• Set aside.
• In a small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup sugar and 2 tbsp water and bring to a boil.
• Remove from heat.
• In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks on medium speed, slowly drizzle in the sugar syrup.
• Continue to beat until yolks are thick and pale yellow (3-5 minutes).
• Fold egg yolks into the chocolate along with the orange zest.
• Using clean beaters, beat the egg whites in a metal bowl, medium speed, for 30 seconds.
• Add the cream of tartar, then gradually add 3 TBSP sugar.
• Beat until the whites hold a 2" peak and are glossy.
• Take 1/4 of the egg whites and energetically stir them into the chocolate mixture.
• Gently fold in the remainder of the whites until just incorporated.
• Fill each ramekin almost to the rim.
• Wipe any filling from the rim with a wet paper towel.
• Cover each ramekin with plastic wrap and freeze until firm: at least 3 hours / up to 2 days.
• Place oven rack in the middle, preheat oven to 400°F.
• Remove souffles directly from freezer, uncover, and bake until risen: 16-18 minutes.
• Do not thaw the souffle, as it will not rise properly.
• Be careful not to overbake it.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Brush 6 (6-ounce) ramekins with soft butter, then coat with sugar. Put the prepared ramekins in the freezer. (This can be done a day ahead.)
• Set an oven rack in lower third of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
• Put the chocolate and butter in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching, the water. Stir the chocolate occasionally until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Set aside.
• Combine the egg yolks and warm water in the bowl of a standing mixer or large bowl and beat until frothy. Gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar, and continue beating until ribbons form, about 5 minutes. Very lightly fold the yolks into the chocolate mixture. (Rinse the bowl well, if using for beating the egg whites.)
• Remove prepared ramekins from freezer. Put the egg whites in the bowl of a standing mixer, or large non-reactive bowl, add the lemon juice. Beat on medium until frothy; then gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and increase speed to high. Beat until the whites hold a stiff but not dry peak.
• Working quickly, fold about a third of the egg whites into the chocolate to lighten; then fold in remaining whites until blended. Gently ladle or spoon the souffle mixture into the ramekins, and place on a baking sheet. (Level off the surface with a straight edge, scraping any excess mixture back into the bowl.)
• Immediately bake until the souffle rises about 1 1/2 inches from the ramekins, and the tops are touched with brown, about 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven, dust with confectioners' sugar and serve immediately.
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