Individual Chocolate Souffles Make Ahead Recipes

MINI CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush four 7-ounce ramekins generously with the butter; coat with granulated sugar. Whisk whites with a mixer until frothy, about 2 minutes. Add cream of tartar; whisk until soft peaks form. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar; whisk until medium peaks form, about 5 minutes.
• Set chocolate in a bowl. Whisk milk into cornstarch and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until thick, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk into chocolate (mixture will separate). Whisk in yolks and creme fraiche. Gently fold in egg whites.
• Fill ramekins evenly with batter. Bake on a baking sheet, rotating halfway through, until souffles rise but centers are still liquid, about 14 minutes. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Set an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Brush six 6-ounce ramekins with softened butter, then coat with granulated sugar. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Put the chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl. Fill a saucepan with about an inch of water and bring to a low simmer; set the bowl over--but not touching--the water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Set aside.
• Combine the egg yolks and 2 tablespoons warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl using a hand mixer) and beat until frothy. Gradually add 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar and continue beating until very thick ribbons form, about 5 minutes. Very lightly fold the yolk mixture into the chocolate mixture.
• Put the egg whites in a clean bowl of a standing mixer (or in a large bowl using a hand mixer) and add the cream of tartar. Beat on medium speed until frothy; increase the speed to high and gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Beat until the whites hold a stiff but not dry peak, about 3 minutes.
• Working quickly, fold about a third of the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture to lighten; then fold in the remaining whites until blended. Gently spoon the souffle mixture into the prepared ramekins and place on a baking sheet. Lightly smooth the tops of the souffles.
• Immediately bake until the souffles rise about 1 1/2 inches from the ramekins, about 18 minutes. In the meantime, make the Triple Raspberry Sauce.
• Remove the souffles from the oven, pour some of the sauce over the center of each, dust with confectioners' sugar and serve immediately.
• In a small saucepan, add the raspberries, sorbet, raspberry jam and lemon zest and set over medium heat. Stir, breaking up the raspberries while it comes to a simmer, then cook until the foam subsides and the mixture becomes thick and syrupy, about 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and swirl in the butter.

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.

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.

INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Position oven rack in the bottom 1/3 of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Spray the inside of 6 (10 ounces) ramekins, or oven-proof baking cups, with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle with a little sugar to coat evenly.
• In a large bowl, place chopped chocolate, cocoa, and 3/4 cup of the sugar.
• Whisk in boiling water. When chocolate is completely melted, whisk in egg yolks and vanilla. Then stir in the flour. Set aside.
• Combine egg whites with cream of tartar in a medium mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually sprinkle in remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat on high speed until stiff but not dry.
• Fold about 1/3 of the chocolate mixture into the egg whites. Fold in the remaining chocolate mixture in 2 additions. Divide batter into prepared ramekins.
• Drop one 1/2 ounce of dark chocolate into the center of each souffle just before baking.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the top has formed a nice crust and the sides appear cake-like. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Dig in immediately!

INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Butter 2 shallow 3/4-cup gratin dishes and dust them with the additional granulated sugar, shaking out the excess. In a bowl blend together 2 tablespoons of the remaining granulated sugar, the flour, the cocoa powder, the butter, and a pinch of salt until the mixture resembles meal. In a saucepan bring the milk to a boil. Whisk the cocoa mixture into the milk with the chocolate, cook the mixture over moderate heat, whisking, for 1 minute, or until it is thickened, and let it cool. In a bowl beat the egg yolk slightly and beat in the chocolate mixture. In another bowl beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they hold soft peaks, add the remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, a little at a time, beating, and beat the meringue until it holds stiff glossy peaks. Stir one fourth of the meringue into the chocolate pastry cream to lighten it and fold in the remaining meringue gently but thoroughly. Divide the mixture between the prepared dishes and bake the soufflés in a shallow baking pan in the middle of a preheated 400°F. oven for 15 minutes, or until they are puffed. Dust the soufflés decoratively with the confectioners' sugar and serve them immediately.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Butter and flour ten 3/4-cup ramekins. Melt chocolate and butter in medium bowl set over pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally. Remove bowl from over water and cool chocolate mixture to lukewarm.
• Using electric mixer at high speed, beat sugar, eggs, yolks, and salt in large bowl until batter falls in heavy ribbon when beaters are lifted, about 6 minutes. Sift flour over mixture and fold in. Gradually fold in lukewarm chocolate mixture. Divide mixture among prepared ramekins. (Can be prepared ahead. Cover soufflés individually with plastic and refrigerate up to 1 day or freeze up to 1 week.)
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Place ramekins on baking sheet; bake soufflés until puffed and beginning to crack on top (centers will still be soft), about 18 minutes (19 minutes if frozen), and serve.

INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees on a convection oven and 400 degrees on a conventional oven. Brush six 7-ounce 3 3/4-by-1 3/4-inch ramekins generously with butter; coat with granulated sugar. Place on a rimmed baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, whisk together sugar and egg-white powder; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk whites on low speed until frothy, about 2 minutes; whisk in sugar mixture. Increase speed to medium and beat until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, set chocolate in a large bowl. In a small saucepan, whisk milk, cornstarch, and salt to combine. Bring to a simmer, whisking; remove from heat. Whisk into chocolate (mixture will separate). Vigorously whisk in yolks and 3 tablespoons creme fraiche until smooth. Gently whisk in one-third of the egg white mixture. Using a rubber spatula, fold in remaining egg whites.
• Fill ramekins evenly with batter, almost to the top. Transfer to oven and bake for 10 minutes for gooey souffles or 12 to 13 minutes for firmer souffles, rotating baking sheets halfway through baking.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together remaining 1/2 cup creme fraiche and confectioners' sugar until soft peaks form. Make a hole in the center of each souffle; fill each with a tablespoon sweetened creme fraiche. Serve immediately.

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.

FALLEN CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE MINI CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 6 glass custard cups; place cups on a baking sheet.
• Beat egg whites and sugar together in a bowl using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Heat chocolate chips and butter in a pot over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add in 1 egg yolk at time, stirring continuously. Add water and flour, stirring continuously. Fold in the beaten egg whites until just combined. Fill each custard cup about 2/3 full with batter.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cakes rise slightly over the top of the cups and cracks form on their surface, 15 to 18 minutes.

INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE ORANGE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• To prepare the base, heat the orange juice to lukewarm in a heavy saucepan.
• Whisk the egg yolks with 3 ounces (90 grams) of the sugar in a large mixing bowl. Whisk in the flour and warm orange juice, then return the mixture to the saucepan.
• Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard is thick. Do not allow it to boil. Remove from the heat.
• Stir in the chocolate until completely melted. Stir in the liqueur. Cover this base mixture with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Hold for use at room temperature. (Unused base can be kept overnight in the refrigerator; it should be brought to room temperature before mixing with the egg whites.).
• To prepare the soufflés, brush 4-fluid-ounce (120-milliliter) sized ramekins with melted butter and dust with granulated sugar.
• Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a sheet pan in the oven, onto which you will place the soufflés for baking. (This makes it easier to remove the hot soufflé cups from the oven.).
• Whip the egg whites to stiff peaks with the remaining 1 ounce (30 grams) of sugar. Fold the whites into the chocolate base and spoon the mixture into the prepared ramekins. The ramekins should be filled to within 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) of the rim.
• Smooth the top of each soufflé with a spatula and bake immediately.
• The soufflés are done when well risen and golden brown on top and the edges appear dry, approximately 12 minutes. Do not touch a soufflé to test doneness.
• Sprinkle the soufflés with powdered sugar if desired and serve immediately.