Sunken Chocolate Soufflà Cake Food

CHOCOLATE SUNKEN SOUFFLé CAKE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 170c/150c (fan)/gas 3. Butter a 23cm loose-bottomed cake tin and line with parchment paper. 2. Melt the butter and chocolate with the salt in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir occasionally but not vigorously. Once the butter and chocolate has melted, remove the pan from the heat but keep the mixture warm and resting over the pan of water until ready to use. 3. Separate the eggs, placing the yolks into the bowl of your electric mixer first. Add half of the caster sugar and whisk until the mixture forms pale and fluffy ribbons and has doubled in volume. Remove the bowl of melted chocolate from the pan of hot water and set it on your worktop. Fold the whisked yolks into the melted chocolate. The should be marbly and not fully incorporated. 4. Wash out the mixer bowl and dry it thoroughly, and now add the egg whites to it along with the remaining sugar. Whisk on a high speed until medium-soft peaks form. Do not overwhip. The consistency of the egg whites should resemble that of the yolk and chocolate mixture. Fold the whites into the chocolate until just mixed, then pour into your prepared pan. 5. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the top of the cake is puffed and just starting to crack. The cake will still have a bit of a wobble and will be puffing out over the top of the pan. Place the pan on a wire cooling rack and coax any extra overflowing cake back into the pan. Allow to cool for a good 20 minutes, then remove the sides of the pan, peel off the paper, and slide the cake onto a nice serving plate. Dust with cocoa powder before serving.

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!)

SUNKEN DRUNKEN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Gently heat the prunes and Marsala over a low heat until hot. Remove from the heat and leave for about 1 hr or until the prunes have absorbed almost all of the liquid. Whizz the prunes and any remaining booze in a food processor until roughly chopped.
• Butter and line the base of a 20cm springform tin. Dust with cocoa, tip out any excess and reserve. Melt the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir in the prune mix.
• Whisk the sugars, 2 eggs and 2 egg yolks until pale, thick and doubled in volume. Fold the chocolate mixture and vanilla into the egg mixture, then sift over the ground almonds, flour and remaining cocoa. Fold until everything is combined.
• Whisk the egg whites until stiff and gently fold into the mixture. Spoon into the prepared tin and bake for 20-25 mins or until a light crust has formed. Allow to cool in the tin - it will sink and crack as it cools. Remove from the tin and dust with cocoa before serving.

CHOCOLATE FALLEN SOUFFLé CAKE

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line bottom with a round of parchment or wax paper, then butter paper.
• Melt chocolate and butter in a large metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water (or in a microwave-safe large glass or ceramic bowl in a microwave at 50 percent power for 4 to 5 minutes), stirring frequently, then cool completely. Whisk in vanilla, salt, and 6 tablespoons sugar. Add yolks 1 at a time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in flour.
• Beat whites with a pinch of salt in a bowl using an electric mixer at medium-high speed until they hold soft peaks, then add remaining 6 tablespoons sugar a little at a time, beating, and continue to beat until whites hold stiff glossy peaks.
• Whisk about one fourth of whites into chocolate mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Pour batter into springform pan, spreading evenly.
• Bake until a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs adhering, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Cool cake in pan on a rack 10 minutes. Remove side of pan and cool cake completely. Invert cake onto rack and remove bottom of pan, discarding paper, then invert cake onto a plate.

SUNKEN CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Grease and line an 8-inch spring form pan with non-stick baking paper.
• Melt the chocolate with the butter over a pan of hot, not boiling, water, then mix in the liqueur and set aside.
• Beat the egg yolks and the sugar until pale and creamy, approx 5/6 minutes, mix this with the melted chocolate mixture.
• In a very clean bowl, with very clean beaters, beat the egg whites until the they form soft peaks, not stiff dry peaks, start your mixer beating slow and gradually speed it up.
• Add a few tablespoons egg white to the chocolate mix, folding it in carefully to lighten the mixture first before you fold in the rest.
• Put this in the prepared tin and bake for approx 30 minutes, use your own judgment and give it a few minutes more if you think it needs it because every oven is different, there is a good chance you will see some cracks in the top appearing, do not worry.
• Take it out of the oven, it should be well risen by now, the center should feel springy to the touch.
• Let it cool completely in the tin, and yes, you will see your creation sink, and sink!
• Take out of the tin, if you prefer leave the bottom and only remove the outer ring of the springform tin, peel off the paper, cover and chill until needed.
• Mix the crème fraiche with the liqueur, chill until needed (Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before serving).
• To serve: cut in wedges, serve dusted with cacao or icing/powdered sugar, some of the berry mix (if using) and the crème fraiche.

SUNKEN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Set oven rack to lowest possible position in oven.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Have ready a greased 8-9" springform pan lined with parchment paper.
• Put chocolate pieces into a large microwaveable bowl and cook on HIGH for 1 minute,stir, and continue cooking for 30 seconds, then stir again,repeat as needed until smooth& melted.
• Set melted chocolate- still in cooking bowl- over another bowl filled with HOT water on counter.
• Meanwhile, beat egg whites,adding just 1/4 cup of the sugar gradually, until stiff peaks form- they will appear shiny.
• In another bowl,cream the butter and remaining 1/4 cup sugar until fluffy.
• Add egg yolks and beat for 1 minute.
• Add finely ground nuts (they should be almost like a gritty powder) and the brandy and beat for 2 more minutes.
• Now, your chocolate should still be slightly warm, but no longer burning hot- add just a bit at a time to the butter mixture, stirring with a rubber spatula to combine well until all is added.
• Fold just 1/4 of the chocolate butter mixture into the egg whites.
• Next, gently pour the now chocolatey egg white mixture into the remaining chocolate butter mixture and fold very gently- you don't want to crush down the egg whites.
• (This whole back and forth procedure is essential to keeping the egg whites from getting crushed and to avoid cooking the eggs into scrambled eggs.) Pour carefully into the springform pan.
• Bake 40-45 minutes if using an 8" pan, slightly less for the 9" pan (about 35-40 minutes).
• Cake is ready when a toothpick comes out with thick, moist but NOT wet crumbs stuck to it- it should NOT come out clean.
• Let cake cool in pan 30 minutes- the cake will sink considerably.
• Remove outer ring of pan and invert cake onto a platter.
• -peel off the parchment.
• Sprinkle with some additional granulated sugar (or powdered sugar).
• This should be served warm, with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream on top, and a garnish of fresh berries in season.
• It is moist in texture- more like a fudgey brownie than a fluffy cake texture.
• Leftovers should be kept in the fridge.
• If you need to make this in advance, set the cake out on the counter about 30 minutes before serving to bring it to room temperature.
• Garnish just before serving or the whipped cream will weep and make a mess all over the cake.

SUNKEN CHOCOLATE CAKES WITH COFFEE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter 4 cups in a jumbo nonstick muffin pan, leaving the 2 center cups empty. Coat lightly with sugar, and set aside. Place butter and chocolate in a heat-proof bowl; set over a pan of simmering water. Stir occasionally, until melted and thoroughly combined. Remove from heat; set aside.
• Combine the 4 egg yolks with 2 tablespoons sugar, and whisk until the mixture is pale yellow and thick. Stir in the melted chocolate-and-butter mixture.
• Whisk egg whites until soft peaks form, add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and whisk until stiff and shiny but not dry. Fold into chocolate mixture. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups, and bake until set and slightly springy to the touch, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven, and transfer to a wire rack. Allow to cool for 15 minutes in pan; carefully run a knife around edges of cakes, and unmold. Serve each with a scoop of coffee ice cream.

SUNKEN CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE CAKES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Butter two 1-cup ramekins or custard cups. In a small saucepan over low heat, or in a microwave, melt the chocolate with the butter; let cool slightly. Stir in the vanilla.
• 2. In a bowl, beat the egg, sugar and salt with an electric mixer at high speed until pale yellow, about 3 minutes. With a rubber spatula, stir in the flour and baking soda, then the melted-chocolate mixture and the milk. Scrape into the prepared ramekins.
• 3. Bake the cakes until they feel spongy around the edges but soft in the center, about 15 minutes. Let cool slightly. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream or ice cream.

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.