Martha Stewart Chocolate Souffle Recipes

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300 degrees. Grease a 10-inch springform pan with 1 tablespoon butter, and dust generously with granulated sugar.
• Melt chocolate and butter over simmering water in a double boiler, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• In an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip yolks and whole egg with 2/3 cup sugar on a high speed, until it is pale yellow and falls in a thick ribbon when the beater is raised, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice during mixing. Set aside.
• In an electric mixer, using a second whisk attachment and bowl, (both should be clean and free of grease) whip egg whites with remaining 1/3 cup sugar on high speed until thick and foamy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside. While egg whites are beating, add the cooled, melted chocolate slowly to the yolk mixture.
• Temper whipped egg whites by mixing in about 1/4 cup of the chocolate mixture. Then gently fold egg whites into the chocolate yolk mixture, working quickly to maintain the volume of egg whites; the mixture will have a slightly marbleized appearance.
• Pour batter into prepared pan, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan on a cooling rack. When completely cool, gently run a knife around the edges of the pan and release spring. Dust with cocoa powder or confectioners' sugar before serving.

CLASSIC CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter dish well, and coat with superfine sugar. Cut a collar out of parchment paper to extend 3 inches above the rim of dish. Tie collar around outside of dish with kitchen string; using a pastry brush, butter the inside. Chill.
• Chop chocolate, and place in a dry, heatproof bowl. Place over a pot of barely simmering water, and let stand until melted. Stir until smooth; keep warm.
• Scald milk in a medium saucepan.
• In a large bowl, beat yolks and 4 tablespoons sugar until pale and fluffy, using an electric mixer. Beat in flour until well combined. With mixer running, slowly add half of the hot milk.
• Add mixture to saucepan with remaining milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes more; whisk in melted chocolate. Transfer to a large bowl, and cover with plastic wrap, pressing it onto the surface. Keep warm until ready to use.
• In a large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Beat until stiff and glossy.
• Spoon 1/4 of the whites into chocolate base, and whisk thoroughly until smooth. Quickly fold remaining whites into mixture until combined. (Don't worry if some streaks remain.) Transfer to prepared dish. Bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. Reduce heat to 375 degrees and bake 15 minutes more. Remove collar, dust with confectioners' sugar, if desired, and serve immediately.

SHOWSTOPPING CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with rack in lower third. Do not open oven door until ready to bake. Brush outer lip of a 2-quart souffle dish with melted butter. Tie a sheet of parchment around dish with kitchen twine so it extends 3 inches above rim. Brush inside of dish and collar with melted butter. Dust with sugar (this adds texture, which helps the souffle climb); tap out excess. Chill dish in freezer 15 minutes.
• Stir chocolates in a large heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water until smooth. Scald the milk (heat it until it's just about to simmer) in a saucepan over medium heat; remove from heat. Using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk, beat 6 tablespoons sugar and the yolks on high until pale, about 4 minutes. On low, beat in flour. Beat in half the hot milk, ladling it in a little at time (this is called tempering and prevents the yolks from scrambling).
• Whisk mixture into pan of hot milk; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking. Reduce heat to low; simmer until thick, about 2 minutes. Pour into chocolate. Stir in brandy (if desired), vanilla, and a pinch of salt. (This mixture can be refrigerated, 2 days. Rewarm in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water.)
• Egg whites are best whipped when they're at room temperature (they attain more volume). Using a balloon whisk, beat whites and a pinch of salt in a copper bowl until foamy. (Or beat with an electric mixer in a stainless-steel bowl with cream of tartar.)
• Add 1 tablespoon sugar; beat until whites almost hold stiff peaks. Add remaining tablespoon sugar, and beat until peaks are stiff (meaning they stand straight up when whisk is lifted).
• Spoon one-third of egg whites onto base (incorporating in batches prevents them from deflating). Fold them in: Cut through center of mixture with a large rubber spatula, then gently turn spatula over. Rotate bowl a quarter turn; continue folding whites and turning bowl until mostly combined.
• Fold remaining whites into base, one-third at a time.
• The mixture is ready when the whites are fully incorporated.
• Pour mixture into prepared dish. Place on a rimmed baking sheet; this helps you move souffle in and out of oven. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 375 degrees; bake until set, 20 minutes. Remove collar; serve immediately with creme anglaise if desired

MILK-CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees with rack in lower third. Butter six 6-ounce ramekins; coat with sugar. Place on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Heat chocolate in small heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water until melted, then stir until smooth. Remove from heat and keep warm.
• Bring milk, vanilla bean and seeds, and salt to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-low. In a large bowl, whisk together yolks and 1/4 cup sugar until pale and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add flour and whisk until well combined.
• Remove vanilla bean from milk mixture (discard or reserve for another use), then gradually add half to yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Whisk yolk mixture into remaining milk mixture in saucepan. Bring just to a boil, whisking constantly, then reduce heat and simmer until thick and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in melted chocolate. Transfer to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto surface of mixture. Let cool completely.
• In another bowl, whisk egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and whisk until peaks are stiff and glossy, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Spoon one-quarter of whites mixture into custard base, then whisk thoroughly until smooth. Gently fold in remaining whites mixture until combined. (Don't worry if some streaks remain.) Divide evenly among prepared ramekins. Bake until risen and set, 16 to 18 minutes. Serve immediately, with sweetened whipped cream.