Chocolate Mint Souffles Recipes

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Melt the 4 Tablespoons of butter and the chopped chocolate together in a double boiler or in a large heatproof bowl in the microwave. Microwave in 20 second increments, stirring after each until completely melted and combined. Slightly cool for 3-5 minutes.
• Whisk egg yolks, vanilla extract, and salt into chocolate mixture. Set aside.
• In a completely clean residue-free medium glass or metal mixing bowl, using a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar together on high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. With the mixer running on high speed, slowly add the sugar in 3 additions about 1 Tablespoon at a time, beating for 5 seconds before adding the next Tablespoon. After all 3 Tablespoons of sugar have been added, beat until stiff glossy peaks form, about 2 more minutes. Do not over-beat.
• Slowly and gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. It's best to do this in 3 separate additions, combining each addition completely before folding in more.
• Refrigerate the batter for 5-10 minutes as you preheat the oven and prepare the ramekins. (No need to cover the batter unless you are refrigerating it for longer than 1 hour. Can be made up to 2 days in advance, see make ahead instructions below.)
• Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat to 400°F (204°C).
• Brush four 6-ounce oven-safe straight sided ramekins with a generous coating of the softened butter. Sprinkle in the granulated sugar, then shake/rotate each to ensure every spot of the ramekin has a sugar coating. Place ramekins on a baking sheet. Discard excess sugar.
• Spoon batter evenly into ramekins. Using a knife or icing spatula, smooth down the surface. Run a knife, icing spatula, or your thumb around the rim at the top, creating a "channel" between the batter and the rim of your pan. Feel free to wipe the edges clean with a towel, though I don't always do that and don't notice a difference in appearance or rise.
• Place baking sheet with ramekins on top in the oven. Immediately reduce oven temperature to 375°F (191°C). Bake for 13-14 minutes or until the edges are set and the center just barely jiggles when you give the pan a light tap. Avoid opening/closing the oven too much.
• Remove from the oven and serve immediately plain or with optional toppings. Soufflés begin to fall within minutes. You'll still have that sponge-like texture underneath a crackly top, though it settles into a denser texture as time passes. Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

CHOCOLATE MINT SOUFFLES FOR TWO

Steps:

• Separate eggs.
• Place whites in a small bowl; let stand until room temperature.
• Place yolks in another bowl; set aside.
• Coat two 10-oz. ramekins or custard cups with cooking spray and lightly sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar; place on a baking sheet and set aside.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 2 tablespoons sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.
• Remove from the heat; stir in chocolate chips and extract until chips are melted.
• Transfer to a small bowl.
• Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to the bowl, stirring constantly. Cool slightly.
• Beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form.
• Gradually beat in remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form.
• With a spatula, fold a fourth of the egg whites into chocolate mixture until no white streaks remain.
• Fold in remaining egg whites until combined.
• Transfer to prepared ramekins.
• Bake at 375° for 18-22 minutes or until tops are puffed and centers are almost set.
• Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.
• Serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 1 1/2-quart tall-sided baking dish. Coat with sugar, tapping out excess. Set dish on a rimmed baking sheet.
• In a large heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, combine chocolate, vanilla, and 1/4 cup water. Stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, 20 minutes.
• Stir egg yolks into cooled chocolate mixture until well combined. Set souffle base aside.
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium-high until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Gradually add sugar and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes (do not overbeat).
• In two additions, fold egg-white mixture into souffle base: With a rubber spatula, gently cut down through center and lift up some base from bottom of bowl. Turning bowl, steadily continue to cut down and lift up base until just combined.
• Transfer mixture to dish, taking care not to get batter on top edge of dish; smooth top. Bake souffle until puffed and set, 30 to 35 minutes. (Do not open oven during first 25 minutes of baking.) Serve immediately.

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.