Heavenly Chocolate Souffles Food

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.

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Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375º F. Adjust oven rack to the lower-middle position of the oven. Grease six 6-ounce soufflé dishes or ramekins with 1 tablespoon butter. Coat bottom and sides with 2 tablespoons sugar; dump out any excess.
• Microwave chocolate and 1/4 cup butter in large, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Pieces may retain some of the their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until smooth; cool to room temperature.
• Whisk egg yolks, one at a time, into chocolate mixture. Whisk in vanilla extract and salt.
• Beat egg whites in large mixer bowl until soft peaks form. Beat in cream of tartar. Gradually beat in 1/4 cup granulated sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/2 cup egg white mixture into chocolate mixture to lighten. Fold in remaining egg white mixture gently but thoroughly. Divide batter among prepared ramekins. Smooth tops and clean excess batter from rims. Place on baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until puffed and center still moves slightly. 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.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚F with a rack in the lowest position of the oven. Be sure it's fully preheated (an oven thermometer helps to make sure).
• Brush the bottoms and sides of six 8-oz ramekins with softened butter, brushing the butter in an upwards motion on the sides of the ramekins to encourage rise. Coat the inside of the ramekins thoroughly with granulated sugar, turning the ramekin to coat the sides and tapping out the excess.
• Add 2 cups of water to a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer on the stove and adjust the heat to keep it at just a simmer.
• In a large rimmed heatproof mixing bowl, combine chocolate and 8 Tbsp of softened butter. Place the bowl over the simmering water (it should just be over the steam and not touching the water) and stir occasionally with a spatula just until melted and combined. Remove from heat right away and set aside for 5 minutes to cool slightly then whisk in 6 yolks, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1/4 tsp salt until combined.
• In a clean large mixing bowl, add 6 egg whites and 1/2 tsp cream of tartar and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form (2 minutes). With the mixer on, gradually add the sugar then increase to high speed and beat until stiff peaks form and the mixture is glossy and shiny (2 to 2 1/2 minutes).
• Fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Fold in the remaining egg whites in 2 additions. Fold scraping from the bottom of the bowl and turning the bowl as you go, just until incorporated and no streaks of whites remain.
• Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared ramekins (using an ice cream scoop keeps this process tidy and easy).
• Just before putting it into the oven, Run your thumb around the inside rim of the ruffle, creating a little border about 1/4" deep at the edges to encourage the center of the soufflé to rise.
• Place on the bottom oven rack then immediately reduce heat to 375˚F and bake without opening the door for 13 -16 minutes. Once they have risen, they can be removed from the oven. Don't over-bake or they may crack on top.
• Beat cream together with sugar and grand mariner on medium speed until soft peaks form then increase to high speed and beat until medium/stiff peaks form.
• In a small saucepan, combine cream, sugar, and vanilla. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves then reduce heat to low and add chocolate, stirring until melted. Serve warm.

HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. Grease springform pan, 9x2 1/2 inches, with shortening. In 2-quart heavy saucepan, heat 1 cup of the chocolate chunks and 1/2 cup butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until melted. Cool 5 minutes. Stir in flour until smooth. Stir in egg yolks until well blended.
• In large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar with electric mixer on high speed until foamy. Beat in 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until soft peaks form. Fold about 1/4 of the egg whites into chocolate mixture; fold chocolate mixture into egg whites. Spread in pan. Sprinkle 2/3 cup chocolate chunks evenly over top.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean (top will appear dry and cracked). Cool 10 minutes. Remove side of pan; leave cake on pan bottom. Cool completely on wire rack.
• Just before serving, in 1-quart saucepan, heat 1/3 cup chocolate chunks, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and the milk over medium heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted and mixture boils. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 teaspoon butter.
• In chilled small bowl, beat all Sweetened Whipped Cream ingredients with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Place cake on serving plate. Drizzle servings of cake with sauce. Serve with whipped cream. Sprinkle with candies.