Frozen Apricot Soufflé

• 1/2 pound dried California (Pacific) apricots
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 6 large egg whites, at room temperature 30 minutes
• 2 cups chilled heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Equipment: a 1 1/2-quart souffle dish; kitchen string; a candy thermometer
• Garnish: unsweetened cocoa powder and confectioners sugar for dusting

1. Wrap a collar of parchment paper or foil around souffle dish to extend 3 inches above rim of dish and secure with kitchen string.
2. Simmer apricots with water in a small saucepan, covered, until very tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Puree apricots in a food processor (mixture will not be completely smooth), then transfer to a large bowl.
3. Cook sugar with reserved cooking liquid in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Boil, without stirring, washing down any sugar crystals from side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water, until syrup registers 238u0b0F (soft-ball stage), about 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, beat egg whites with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until they just hold stiff peaks. While continuing to beat, gradually pour hot syrup in a thin stream down side of bowl into whites (be careful not to let syrup touch beaters, or it will spatter and harden), then continue to beat until meringue has cooled to room temperature, about 5 minutes.
5. Beat cream with extracts in another bowl using cleaned beaters until it just holds soft peaks.
6. Whisk about one third of meringue into apricot pure to lighten, then fold in remaining meringue.
7. Fold whipped cream into apricot mixture gently but thoroughly, then spoon into souffle dish, smoothing top. Cover surface with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 8 hours.
8. Let souffle stand at room temperature to soften slightly before serving, about 15 minutes. Remove collar and dust top of souffle with cocoa powder, coating it completely, then dust very lightly with confectioners sugar.

california, water, sugar, egg whites, cream, almond, vanilla, kitchen string, confectioners sugar

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/frozen-apricot-souffle-241728 (may not work)