Never Fail SoufflÉ Recipes

NEVER FAIL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375º F. Liberally butter 6 individual soufflé ramekins and sprinkle with sugar; set aside.
• In a metal bowl over simmering water, melt chocolate whilst constantly stirring. Once the chocolate is melted, remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the egg yolks one at a time.
• In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat egg whites with salt on medium high speed until they hold soft glossy peaks. Continue beating egg whites on high speed, gradually adding the remaining 1/3 cup sugar, until the egg whites hold stiff glossy peaks.
• Gently stir 1/3 of the eggs whites into the chocolate mixture. Carefully fold in the remaining egg whites. The chocolate mixture should be full of bubbles, even colored and without egg white streaks.
• Spoon your soufflé mixture into the prepared ramekins and bake for 12 - 15 minutes until risen with a crusty exterior. Dust with cocoa powder and serve right away.

NEVER-FAIL CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Butter the bread slices on both sides (use the whole stick), then cut them into 3/4-inch squares. (Leave the crust on.)
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl until foamy, then gradually whisk in the milk.
• Alternate layers of bread and Cheddar in a low 2-quart oval baking dish, starting with the bread and ending with Cheddar (4 layers total). Pour in the egg mixture, and press the bread and Cheddar down into the egg. Refrigerate overnight, covered, so the bread soaks up the liquid.
• About 1 1/2 hours before serving, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Bake until puffed, golden and cooked through, about 1 hour. Serve hot or warm.

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.