Individual Chocolate SoufflÉ Cakes Food

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLéS FOR TWO

Steps:

• For the chocolate soufflés: Set an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Brush two 6- or 8-ounce ramekins with 1 tablespoon of the butter, then coat with 2 tablespoons of the sugar.
• Bring a small pot or saucepan filled with 1 to 2 inches of water to a simmer over medium-low heat. In a small heatproof bowl, combine the dark chocolate and remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Place the bowl on top of the pot and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is melted. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Separate the eggs and put the whites into a medium bowl. Add the egg yolks and vanilla to the chocolate mixture and whisk well to incorporate.
• Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar, cream of tartar and salt to the medium bowl with the egg whites and whip to medium-stiff peaks with an electric hand mixer.
• Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture, mixing until incorporated, but trying not to overmix, which can deflate the egg whites.
• Gently divide the mixture between the prepared ramekins. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until the soufflés rise about 1 inch over the top edge of the ramekin, about 30 minutes. Try not to open the oven door - use your oven light to check their progress.
• While the soufflés bake, make the raspberry coulis.
• For the raspberry coulis: In a small saucepan, stir together the raspberries and sugar and cook over medium heat until the berries completely break down, 5 to 7 minutes. Strain the coulis to remove the seeds and reserve.
• Serve the soufflés immediately with the raspberry coulis.

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.

INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Position oven rack in the bottom 1/3 of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Spray the inside of 6 (10 ounces) ramekins, or oven-proof baking cups, with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle with a little sugar to coat evenly.
• In a large bowl, place chopped chocolate, cocoa, and 3/4 cup of the sugar.
• Whisk in boiling water. When chocolate is completely melted, whisk in egg yolks and vanilla. Then stir in the flour. Set aside.
• Combine egg whites with cream of tartar in a medium mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually sprinkle in remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat on high speed until stiff but not dry.
• Fold about 1/3 of the chocolate mixture into the egg whites. Fold in the remaining chocolate mixture in 2 additions. Divide batter into prepared ramekins.
• Drop one 1/2 ounce of dark chocolate into the center of each souffle just before baking.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the top has formed a nice crust and the sides appear cake-like. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Dig in immediately!

INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Set an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Brush six 6-ounce ramekins with softened butter, then coat with granulated sugar. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Put the chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl. Fill a saucepan with about an inch of water and bring to a low simmer; set the bowl over--but not touching--the water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Set aside.
• Combine the egg yolks and 2 tablespoons warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl using a hand mixer) and beat until frothy. Gradually add 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar and continue beating until very thick ribbons form, about 5 minutes. Very lightly fold the yolk mixture into the chocolate mixture.
• Put the egg whites in a clean bowl of a standing mixer (or in a large bowl using a hand mixer) and add the cream of tartar. Beat on medium speed until frothy; increase the speed to high and gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Beat until the whites hold a stiff but not dry peak, about 3 minutes.
• Working quickly, fold about a third of the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture to lighten; then fold in the remaining whites until blended. Gently spoon the souffle mixture into the prepared ramekins and place on a baking sheet. Lightly smooth the tops of the souffles.
• Immediately bake until the souffles rise about 1 1/2 inches from the ramekins, about 18 minutes. In the meantime, make the Triple Raspberry Sauce.
• Remove the souffles from the oven, pour some of the sauce over the center of each, dust with confectioners' sugar and serve immediately.
• In a small saucepan, add the raspberries, sorbet, raspberry jam and lemon zest and set over medium heat. Stir, breaking up the raspberries while it comes to a simmer, then cook until the foam subsides and the mixture becomes thick and syrupy, about 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and swirl in the butter.

INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Coat 2 (6 ounce) ramekins with cooking spray; sprinkle each with 3/4 tsp sugar.
• Combine 2 T sugar, flour, cocoa, and milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook 2 minutes, stirring until smooth. Spoon chocolate mixture into a medium bowl; cool 4 minutes. Stir in vanilla.
• Place egg white in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until soft peaks form. Add remaining 2 T sugar, 1 tsp at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (do not overbeat). Gently stir 1/4 of egg white mixture into chocolate mixture; gently fold in remaining egg white mixture.
• Spoon mixture into prepared dishes. Sharply tap dishes 2 or 3 times to level. Place dishes on a baking sheet; bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until puffy and set.
• Sprinkle each souffle with 1/2 tsp powdered sugar. Serve immediately.

INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKES

Steps:

• TRUFFLES: Combine the chocolate, cream, and butter in a small heatproof bowl, set over simmering water, and let melt.
• When almost melted, remove from the heat and stir the mixture until smooth. Stir in flavoring of your choice and refrigerate until thick enough to mound on a spoon, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Line a baking tray with waxed or parchment paper. Scrape the chocolate mixture into pastry bag fitted with a #3 plain tip. Pipe eight 1-inch mounds onto the prepared tray.
• Place 1 raspberry in center of each chocolate mound and pipe a little more of the chocolate mixture to enclose completely. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.
• CAKE: Position a rack in the center of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8 oversize muffin cups with cooking spray. Line bottoms with rounds of waxed paper. Set aside.
• In the top of a double boiler or a small heatproof bowl set over simmering water, melt together the chocolate and butter. Cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, in the large bowl beat on high speed, eggs, egg yolks, and sugar until tripled in volume, about 5 minutes.
• On low speed, add in the chocolate mixture just until combined. Remove the bowl and fold in the flour, using a rubber spatula.
• Spoon a little of the batter into each of the prepared cups top with 1 truffle, and cover with the remaining batter.
• Arrange cups on a baking tray and bake 15 minutes or until edges of the cakes begin to pull away from the sides of the cups. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Invert onto individual dessert plates and carefully peel off paper. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream next to each cake and a few fresh raspberries.

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 inches 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 ITALIAN SOUFFLE CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325.
• Combine chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler, stirring until all is melted and combined.
• Whip eggs& sugar until light and fluffy.
• Mix flour into chocolate mixture.
• Gently fold the chocolate mixture into the whipped eggs being careful to not lose all the wonderful volume from the eggs.
• Spray either 12 muffin tins or 12 ramekins/souffle dishes wtih non-stick spray.
• Pour batter into prepared pans/dishes.
• Bake at 325 degrees for 9-12 minutes.
• Serve immediately.
• Note: You can prebake these and then reheat them in a preheated 325 degree oven for 2-3 minutes.

INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES (MAKE AHEAD)

Steps:

• Butter (8) 1 cup ramekins, then coat evenly with sugar.
• Shake out excess sugar and place in refrigerator until ready to use.
• Melt 4 tbsp butter and the chocolate in a double boiler.
• Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, salt, and creme de cacao.
• Set aside.
• In a small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup sugar and 2 tbsp water and bring to a boil.
• Remove from heat.
• In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks on medium speed, slowly drizzle in the sugar syrup.
• Continue to beat until yolks are thick and pale yellow (3-5 minutes).
• Fold egg yolks into the chocolate along with the orange zest.
• Using clean beaters, beat the egg whites in a metal bowl, medium speed, for 30 seconds.
• Add the cream of tartar, then gradually add 3 TBSP sugar.
• Beat until the whites hold a 2" peak and are glossy.
• Take 1/4 of the egg whites and energetically stir them into the chocolate mixture.
• Gently fold in the remainder of the whites until just incorporated.
• Fill each ramekin almost to the rim.
• Wipe any filling from the rim with a wet paper towel.
• Cover each ramekin with plastic wrap and freeze until firm: at least 3 hours / up to 2 days.
• Place oven rack in the middle, preheat oven to 400°F.
• Remove souffles directly from freezer, uncover, and bake until risen: 16-18 minutes.
• Do not thaw the souffle, as it will not rise properly.
• Be careful not to overbake it.

INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE INDULGENCE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In the top of a double boiler, melt the chocolate, then add the butter and sugar until just melted.
• Add eggs and whisk until well combined; add flour and mix only until combined.
• Do not overmix or the cake will be rubbery.
• Lightly grease four 4-ounce disposable aluminum cups, muffin molds, or ramekins with vegetable baking spray.
• Distribute batter among the four molds.
• Place molds on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Do not overbake.
• For the Chocolate Sauce: Pour the milk into a 2-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan, place over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil.
• When it boils, remove the milk from the heat and make a ganache by adding the chopped chocolate.
• Whisk well, stirring into the edge of the saucepan to combine.
• The ganache should be homogenous and smooth.
• Set the ganache aside.
• In a 1-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the heavy cream, butter, and sugar.
• Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
• The butter should be completely melted and the sugar completely dissolved.
• Once the mixture has come to a boil, pour it into the warm ganache.
• Place the sauce over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly with a whisk.
• As the chocolate sauce cooks, it will begin to thicken slightly.
• When it reaches a boil, remove it from the heat, and pour it into a clean, dry bowl.
• Cover by placing plastic wrap directly on top of the sauce to prevent a skin from forming.
• Let the chocolate sauce cool to room temperature before storing in the refrigerator.
• When cold, the sauce will become thick enough to be scooped with a spoon.
• Invert molds onto individual serving plates.
• If you would like to decorate the plate, do so with fresh raspberries or fruit or chocolate sauce, and serve immediately.
• The sauce can be reheated whenever needed.
• If using a microwave, simply place the chocolate sauce in a microwaveable bowl and heat it at medium-high power in 30-second intervals until it becomes liquid.
• On the stovetop, place in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat and stir occasionally until it becomes liquid.
• If you store it in a squeeze bottle, you can easily drizzle it over a dessert or decorate a plate.
• It will keep in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
• It can also be frozen for up to two months if stored in an airtight container.
• Thaw in the refrigerator and heat as described above until liquid.