Individual Chocolate Souffles Make Ahead 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.

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:

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.