Chocolate Souffles Food

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.

HOT CHOCOLATE SOUFFLéS WITH CHOCOLATE CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7 and place a baking tray on the top shelf. For the sauce, heat the cream and sugar until boiling. Remove from the heat, stir in the chocolate and butter until melted, then keep warm.
• Brush 6 x 150ml ramekins with melted butter, sprinkle with the 2 tbsp caster sugar, then tip out any excess. Melt the chocolate and cream in a bowl over a pan of simmering water, cool, then mix in the egg yolks. Whisk the egg whites until they hold their shape, then add the sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, whisking back to the same consistency. Mix a spoonful into the chocolate, then gently fold in the rest.
• Working quickly, fill the ramekins, wipe the rims clean and run your thumb around the edges. Turn oven down to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6, place the ramekins onto the baking tray, then bake for 8-10 mins until risen with a slight wobble. Don't open the oven door too early as this may make them collapse.
• Once the soufflés are ready, dust with icing sugar, scoop a small hole from their tops, then pour in some of the hot chocolate sauce. Replace the lids and serve straight away.

MINI CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush four 7-ounce ramekins generously with the butter; coat with granulated sugar. Whisk whites with a mixer until frothy, about 2 minutes. Add cream of tartar; whisk until soft peaks form. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar; whisk until medium peaks form, about 5 minutes.
• Set chocolate in a bowl. Whisk milk into cornstarch and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until thick, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk into chocolate (mixture will separate). Whisk in yolks and creme fraiche. Gently fold in egg whites.
• Fill ramekins evenly with batter. Bake on a baking sheet, rotating halfway through, until souffles rise but centers are still liquid, about 14 minutes. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

HOT CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Take four 200ml soufflé dishes and brush them completely with softened butter. Chill the dishes for 5 mins, then, as an insurance policy so the soufflé doesn't stick to the dish, apply a second coat as before. Tip a little grated chocolate into each dish, roll the dish around tilting it as you do so it is evenly lined all round.
• For the crème patisserie, mix the flour, sugar and cornflour. Put egg yolk and whole egg into a bowl, stir, then beat in half of the flour mixture to give a smooth paste. Tip in the rest of the flour mixture and mix well.
• Pour the milk and cream into a pan and bring just to the boil. Remove from the heat. Add the chocolate and beat until it is melted and smooth with no lumps.
• Gradually stir hot chocolate mix into paste. Return to pan. Cook, stirring, over a medium-low heat for 5 mins to a smooth, thick paste. Remove from the heat. Leave until cold, beating occasionally with a wire whisk.
• Make the ganache: slowly warm the cream in a pan. Just before it boils, take off the heat and add chocolate. Beat constantly to a velvety texture, gradually sprinkling in the cocoa as it dissolves. Allow to cool.
• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Whisk the egg whites to soft peaks with an electric whisk. Sprinkle in the sugar as you are mixing. Keep whisking to give stiff, firm peaks to give volume to the soufflés.
• Mix crème patisserie and ganache in a large bowl. Stir in 2 tbsp of egg white. Carefully fold in a third of the rest, cutting through the mixture. Fold in another third (take care not to lose the volume); fold in the rest.
• Spoon the mixture into the dishes to fill them by three-quarters, then gently press a spoon in to make sure it fills all the gaps. Fill the dishes to the top with the mixture, then bang each dish on to the surface so the mixture fills the sides.
• Take a palette knife and pull it across the top of each dish so the mixture is completely flat. Take a little time to wipe any splashes off the outside of each dish, or they will burn on while cooking.
• So mixture won't stick to the top of the mould, and to give a straight finish, go around the top edge of the mixture with your finger. Sprinkle a little grated chocolate in the centre, then bake the soufflés for 15-17 mins.
• The soufflés should have risen by about two thirds of their original height and jiggle when moved, but be set on top. To serve, make a small dip with a spoon in the centre of each, then pour in single cream or add a spoonful of ice cream.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Butter a soufflé dish and dust with sugar, tapping out excess.
• Preheat oven to 430F.
• Melt chocolate and stir until smooth.
• Whisk butter into hot chocolate; add yolks and combine well.
• Beat egg whites until frothy.
• Beat in sugar gradually, and beat until whites hold stiff peaks.
• Lighten chocolate mixture with ¼ of the whites, and then gently fold in remaining whites (a few white streaks may show, and this is not a problem).
• Pour into prepared dish.
• Put dish in slightly larger baking pan and add enough hot water in second pan to reach 1/3 up the side of the soufflé dish.
• Bake for 40 minutes (center will be very soft).
• Give a light dusting of icing sugar over top, bring to table immediately.
• Serve with Whipped Cream.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Brush 6 (6-ounce) ramekins with soft butter, then coat with sugar. Put the prepared ramekins in the freezer. (This can be done a day ahead.)
• Set an oven rack in lower third of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
• Put the chocolate and butter in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching, the water. Stir the chocolate occasionally until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Set aside.
• Combine the egg yolks and warm water in the bowl of a standing mixer or large bowl and beat until frothy. Gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar, and continue beating until ribbons form, about 5 minutes. Very lightly fold the yolks into the chocolate mixture. (Rinse the bowl well, if using for beating the egg whites.)
• Remove prepared ramekins from freezer. Put the egg whites in the bowl of a standing mixer, or large non-reactive bowl, add the lemon juice. Beat on medium until frothy; then gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and increase speed to high. Beat until the whites hold a stiff but not dry peak.
• Working quickly, fold about a third of the egg whites into the chocolate to lighten; then fold in remaining whites until blended. Gently ladle or spoon the souffle mixture into the ramekins, and place on a baking sheet. (Level off the surface with a straight edge, scraping any excess mixture back into the bowl.)
• Immediately bake until the souffle rises about 1 1/2 inches from the ramekins, and the tops are touched with brown, about 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven, dust with confectioners' sugar and serve immediately.
• Copyright 2007 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

HOT CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5. Place a heavy baking tray on the middle shelf of the oven.
• Grease a 14x8cm (1.2 litre/2 pint) soufflé dish with butter and dust with caster sugar. Make a collar for the soufflé dish by folding a 50x30cm/20x12in piece of baking parchment 4 times lengthways (to make a 7½cm/3in deep collar). Wrap it around the top of the dish and secure with string.
• For the crème pâtissière chocolat, melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly.
• Pour the milk and cocoa powder into a heavy-based pan and bring gradually to the boil. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 30 seconds. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and caster sugar until pale, then whisk in the plain flour. Pour the chocolate milk onto the eggs, whisking continuously, then pour back into the pan.
• Bring back to the boil, whisking continuously over a medium heat and cook for 1 minute until thickened. Remove from the heat and whisk in the melted chocolate. Spoon the crème pâtissière chocolat into a bowl, cover the surface with cling film to prevent a skin forming and leave to cool to room temperature.
• In a clean bowl whisk the egg whites to soft peaks. Add the sugar and continue whisking to a stiff and glossy meringue.
• Whisk one third of the meringue mixture into the crème patissiere chocolat, then fold in the remaining two-thirds using a large metal spoon. The mixture should be fairly loose.
• Pour the mixture into the souffle dish. Run your thumb around the interior rim of the dish to ensure a good rise. Bake on the preheated baking tray for 40-50 minutes, or until well risen and springy to touch.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLéS FOR TWO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325ºF.
• Beat egg white and sugar in small bowl with mixer on high speed 1 to 2 min. or until stiff peaks form; set aside.
• Melt butter in small saucepan on medium heat. Stir in flour until blended. Add milk; cook and stir 30 sec. or until thickened. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; stir until melted. Stir in egg yolk, then beaten egg white just until blended.
• Pour into 2 (6-oz.) ramekins; place on baking sheet,
• Bake 30 to 32 min. or until soufflés are puffed and centers are set. Serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Prepare ramekins: Brush ramekin with butter to evenly coat the entire interior, from the bottom of the ramekin to the top of the rim. Add a few tablespoons of sugar to the ramekin, then spin the ramekin around to coat the bottom and the walls, pouring the excess into a mixing bowl. (The sugar coating provides a rough surface for the soufflé to adhere to as it bakes, allowing for a taller rise.) Repeat with other ramekins. Chill until ready to use.
• Preheat the oven to 375 F. Prepare a double boiler: Add enough water to a 1-quart saucepan to fill halfway, and bring to a simmer. Fit a heatproof glass bowl snugly on top of the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl isn't touching the surface of the water. Add chocolate to the bowl and allow it to melt, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together the milk and cornstarch. Pour mixture into a small saucepan over low heat and whisk; once the mixture is simmering, continue to whisk until thickened, about 1 minute. When the chocolate has melted, remove the bowl from the saucepan. Slowly add the milk-cornstarch mixture into the melted chocolate, whisking constantly, until it's thoroughly combined. Add egg yolks and whisk until thoroughly combined and shiny. Set aside.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add egg whites and a pinch of salt. Starting on low then coming up to medium speed, whip until soft peaks form; then continue whipping as you slowly add the sugar in a steady stream. Once medium peaks form, 1-2 minutes later, turn the motor off and remove whisk. Finish whisking by hand to form medium-stiff peaks. (This prevents the machine from over-whipping, which can cause the soufflé to fall.)
• Use a rubber spatula to stir ⅓ of the whipped whites into the chocolate mixture. Then very gently fold in the rest of the egg whites, being careful not to overmix; the goal is to make sure the egg whites retain their airiness. When the chocolate and egg whites are just mixed, fill each ramekin to the rim. Run the tip of your thumb around the inner rim of the ramekin to wipe off the butter and sugar from the top ¼ inch. This prevents the soufflé from sticking to the rim as it bakes, allowing it to rise straight up.Place ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then into the oven. Bake until the soufflés have risen about ½-1 inch above the rim, 7-9 minutes.
• When soufflés have fully risen, remove from oven. Dust with powdered sugar, if using. Shape quenelles of unsweetened whipped cream (optional): Pass about a tablespoon of whipped cream back and forth between two spoons, smoothing and shaping it until you have formed an egg-shaped dollop, or "quenelle." Make a small opening in the top of the soufflé and nestle the quenelle into the hole. Serve immediately. (Note: Soufflés will fall quickly as they cool, so work quickly once they are out of the oven!)

DARK CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Prepare two 6 oz. ramekins with cold butter pour some granulated sugar mixed with cocoa into the ramekin and shake and roll the ramekin to coat the bottom and sides with sugar.
• Melt the butter, cream, and chocolate in the double boiler. Stir to help the melting. Once the chocolate has melted, turn off the heat.
• Whisk the two egg yolks into the chocolate.
• In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until the egg whites reach soft peaks. The whipped egg white tip of the peak should droop for the soft peaks.
• Add the sugar to the egg whites and continue to beat until you reach stiff peaks. Adding the whites a little at a time, fold them into the chocolate mixture.
• Without over mixing, fold the remaining egg whites into the batter.
• Pour the batter into the two prepared ramekins. Fill them at least 3/4 of the way up. Place a piece of chocolate or berries on each and gentle push into batter.
• Place the ramekins on a baking pan and place the pan in the oven on a rack set in the middle position. Bake the soufflés for 15 minutes at 375°F After fifteen minutes, the soufflé will have risen up out of the ramekin.
• Serve immediately in the ramekin. As the soufflé cools, it will drop and become more dense. dusted with sugar and garnish with berries.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• 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.

CHOCOLATE-ESPRESSO MINI SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Lightly butter two 6-oz. ramekins and dust with granulated sugar, tapping out excess. Set the ramekins on a small baking sheet.
• Stir together the liquor or water and the espresso powder. Set aside and stir occasionally until the coffee is dissolved. Melt the chocolate and butter in a medium metal bowl over a pan of simmering water or in a microwave. Remove from the heat and whisk until glossy and smooth. Stir in the coffee mixture and the salt. Whisk in the egg yolks, one at a time. Add about one-third of the confectioners' sugar and whisk until well blended and smooth. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until they're very foamy and they're just beginning to hold soft peaks. Increase the speed to high and gradually sprinkle in the remaining confectioners' sugar. Continue beating until the peaks are firm and glossy. Spoon about one-quarter of the beaten whites into the chocolate mixture and whisk until blended. Add the remaining whites and gently fold them in until just blended. Pour evenly into prepared ramekins (the mixture will almost completely fill the ramekins). If you want to bake the soufflés within 24 hours, refrigerate them. (To refrigerate: Chill for about 30 minutes, and then cover in plastic and return to the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.) If you want to hold them for longer, freeze them according to the make-ahead tips below.
• Heat the oven to 400°F Unwrap the ramekins, set them on a baking sheet, and bake until they're puffed and risen about 1 inch above the ramekin, 15 minute The top will still be slightly sunken in the center; consider it a place to pop in a few berries or a dollop of whipped cream. Remove the soufflés from the oven and serve immediately.
• Make Ahead Tips: Put the filled ramekins into the freezer, uncovered, for 20 minute Then wrap each ramekin well in plastic and freeze for up to two weeks. To bake straight from the freezer, unwrap the ramekins and set on a small baking sheet or jellyroll pan. Let them sit for 20 minute while heating the oven to 400°F Bake on the baking sheet until puffed and risen about 1 inch above the ramekin, 18 minute Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Put a rack on the lowest level of the oven and preheat to 375°F.
• Brush 8, 6-ounce individual soufflé molds or ramekins with the softened butter. Dust the bottom and sides of the molds with granulated sugar by pouring in a couple of tablespoons of sugar, then swirling around. Pour and shake out any excess sugar.
• To make the roux, use a medium saucepan to melt 8 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and stir constantly for approximately 3 minutes. The mixture should be very smooth. Turn off the heat and let sit.
• In a small saucepan, heat the milk over a low heat until it comes to a slow simmer. Whisk in both chocolates and stir until melted. Add the 1 cup of sugar, vanilla, and rum, and whisk until smooth.
• Gradually pour the chocolate mixture into the butter and flour mixture. Turn the heat back to low and whisk constantly until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble, about 5-7 minutes.
• Whisk in the egg yolks one a time until fully incorporated.
• Turn off the heat and transfer the mixture into a large mixing bowl.
• In a separate bowl, combine egg whites, 1 teaspoon sugar, and cream of tartar. Whip with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
• Using a rubber spatula, transfer 1/4 of the egg whites into the soufflé mixture and stir until fully combined.
• Add half of the remaining egg whites and fold gently together until mixture is smooth, being careful to keep the airiness and lightness of the mixture. Add the remaining egg whites and fold in gently.
• Spoon the mixture into the prepared soufflé molds filling 3/4 of the mold. Bake 12-14 minutes or until the soufflés have risen and browned.
• Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately.

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.

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 SOUFFLé PANCAKES

Steps:

• Make the syrup: Combine the maple syrup, heavy cream, chocolate, butter, cocoa powder, brown sugar and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, whisking occasionally, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth, about 3 minutes. If the mixture starts to simmer, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the vanilla and keep warm over the lowest heat setting, stirring occasionally.
• Make the pancakes: Preheat the oven to 200˚ F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat a large griddle or 1 or 2 large nonstick skillets over medium-low heat. Whisk the flour, confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Whisk the milk, egg yolk, melted butter and vanilla in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, beat the 3 egg whites with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.
• Whisk the milk mixture into the flour mixture until just combined with some small lumps remaining; do not overmix. Fold in about one-third of the egg whites, then gently fold in the remaining egg whites until there are no large streaks remaining, being careful not to overmix and deflate the batter.
• Add 1 to 2 teaspoons butter to the griddle just to coat. Add 1/4 cup batter per pancake, sprinkle with chocolate chips and cook until bubbles form on top and the bottoms are lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until set on the other side and just cooked through, 1 to 2 more minutes. Remove to the baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while cooking the remaining pancakes. Repeat with the remaining batter and chocolate chips, adding more butter to the pan as needed and reducing the heat if the pancakes brown too quickly.
• Divide the pancakes among plates. Stir the chocolate syrup. Dust the pancakes with confectioners' sugar and top with the syrup.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter four 6-ounce ramekins; sprinkle with sugar and tap out the excess. Put the ramekins on a baking sheet; transfer to the freezer while you make the batter.
• Heat the chocolate syrup and 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over low heat until the butter melts, about 2 minutes; let cool. Whisk the egg yolk in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the chocolate syrup mixture until combined.
• Beat the egg whites with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon sugar and beat until stiff peaks just form, 1 to 2 more minutes.
• Fold one-third of the beaten egg whites into the chocolate-yolk mixture until combined. Fold in the remaining egg whites in two additions until no white streaks remain.
• 5. Divide the batter among the prepared ramekins. Bake until the souffles are puffed and browned around the edges, 18 to 20 minutes. Dust with cocoa powder and serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Combine first 7 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat; cool to lukewarm. (Chocolate base can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Stir over low heat just until lukewarm before continuing.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter eight 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups and coat insides with sugar. Whisk egg yolks into lukewarm chocolate base. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar in large bowl until soft peaks form. Fold whites into chocolate base in 3 additions. Divide soufflé mixture among prepared ramekins; place on baking sheet. Bake soufflés until puffed but still moist in center, about 15 minutes. Sift powdered sugar over soufflés and serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°. Butter and sugar six 6-ounce souffl? ramekins. Place on a rimmed baking sheet; set aside.
• In a double boiler over medium heat, melt the chocolate until smooth. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
• In a medium heavy-bottom saucepan combine milk and cornstarch. Stir well with a wooden spoon to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring continuously, until thick.
• Remove milk mixture from the heat and stir in warm melted chocolate. Let cool slightly. Add lightly beaten egg yolks and stir until well combined.
• In the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer, whip egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Slowly add sugar and increase speed to high. Whip until shiny and stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes.
• Using a whisk, lighten the chocolate mixture with about 1/3 of the beaten egg whites. Stir until well-combined. Using a large rubber spatula, fold in remaining egg whites until just incorporated.
• Spoon mixture into prepared souffle ramekins; the mixture should come up to the top of the ramekin. Transfer filled soufflé ramekins on rimmed baking sheet to oven. Bake until risen, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Butter 6 ramekins or 1 large souffle dish and coat with granulated sugar, tapping the side of the ramekins while upside down to remove any excess sugar. Heat the chocolate and butter in a glass bowl over simmering water in a double boiler, until blended, stirring occasionally. When blended, remove the bowl from the double boiler.
• Using a hand mixer, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl until soft peaks form. Add the 1/3 cup granulated sugar gradually, beating constantly until stiff peaks form. In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks until slightly paler in color. Add the whisked egg yolks to the melted chocolate mixture, then fold in the egg whites.
• Spoon or pipe the chocolate mixture into the prepared ramekins and arrange them on a baking sheet. Carefully put them in the middle of the oven and bake until the souffles are risen and cooked, about 18 to 25 minutes Remove the souffles from the oven and serve immediately with melted vanilla bean ice cream, in a pitcher, to be poured over the souffles. Enjoy!
• Other serving suggestions: lightly sweetened whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar or cocoa powder.
• Cook's Note: To help the souffles rise evenly, run the tip of your thumb around the inside edge of the ramekins before baking.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SOUFFLéS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray eight 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups with nonstick spray; coat ramekins or cups with sugar, tapping out excess sugar. Stir chopped chocolate and butter in large metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until mixtures is melted and smooth. Remove chocolate mixture from heat; cool slightly.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg yolks, 1/3 cup sugar, and cocoa powder in medium bowl until thick ribbons of mixture form, about 3 minutes. Gently fold into chocolate mixture. Using electric mixer with clean dry beaters, beat egg whites in medium bowl until foamy. Add lemon juice to beaten egg whites and beat until soft peaks form. Fold into chocolate mixture in 3 separate additions. Divide among prepared ramekins. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
• Bake soufflés until puffed above edges but still soft in center, about 18 minutes. (Bake chilled soufflés about 20 minutes.) Serve immediately.