Chocolate Souffle
- 4 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 8 large egg whites
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks, optional
- Creme Anglaise, optional
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the inside of a 1 1/2-quart souffle mold with softened butter.
- Fill the mold with granulated sugar, then pour out the excess.
- If you have properly buttered the mold, the sugar will stick to the side and bottom of it.
- The butter and sugar keeps the souffle from sticking to the side of the mold and allows it to rise evenly.
- The sugar also gives the souffle a crunchy crust.
- Place a double boiler 1/2 filled with water over high heat and bring to a boil.
- Place the chopped chocolate in the top of the double boiler and melt until quite hot.
- Stir occasionally.
- Place the eggs, sugar and lemon in another double boiler placed over boiling water.
- Whisk the egg mixture until lukewarm.
- Remove the egg mixture from the heat and pour into the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Whip to stiff peaks.
- While the egg mixture is whipping, check the chocolate.
- It should be hot to the touch.
- Stop the mixer.
- Use a rubber spatula to fold the hot chocolate into the whipped egg whites.
- Use a rubber spatula to gently place the souffle mixture in the buttered and sugared mold.
- Fill to about 1 inch above the rim of the mold.
- Place the souffle in the center of the oven and allow enough room for it to rise.
- If the souffle is too close to the top of the oven or under a rack, it will stick when it rises.
- If the souffle is too close to the bottom of the oven, the bottom of the souffle will burn before the inside is properly baked.
- Bake until the souffle has risen 1 1/2 times in height and starts to brown on top, about 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and dust the top with the powdered sugar.
- Serve immediately with a side of whipped cream or Creme Anglaise.
- Note: This souffle can also be baked in buttered and sugared individual size molds.
- Use a pastry bag with a large opening (no tip) to pipe the souffle mixture into the molds about 1 inch above the rim.
- Bake until risen in height and lightly browned on top, 6 to 8 minutes.
bittersweet chocolate, egg whites, granulated sugar, lemon juice, powdered sugar, heavy cream, creme anglaise
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/chocolate-souffle-recipe0.html (may not work)