There’s nothing like chocolate to end a meal and nothing (well almost nothing – a little romp in the sack can go a long way here) more magnificent than to pull a soufflé out of the oven and present it at the table. And then my French friend, Alain, speaks about the crisp, and then the hiss – the sound that’s made when spooning out the first serving. It’s beautiful, exciting and delicious! Just like I hope your Valentine’s Day turns out to be! Make this chocolate soufflé for dessert, with LOVE and it will be the perfect way to end a Valentine’s Day dinner.
This recipe is from Mark Bittman, originally printed in the NY Times, and it is super easy and the very best part is that you can make this in the morning, keep it refrigerated and bake it while you’re eating your main course and it will be ready in about 25 minutes! Now the soufflé won’t rise quite as much this way, but who cares? The trade off of not having to jump up and make the whole thing after dinner is well worth it. And it’s even gluten-free as there’s not a speck of flour in it.
Now Mark says this recipe serves two, but I say it really serves four. You can’t make it smaller as you can’t have one and a half eggs, right? So make this for the two of you but know that you can also use this recipe to serve four. I don’t have a picture of the serving, but I want to tell you that I garnished it with a whole strawberry to add a little color. It was beautiful. Raspberries are also nice.
CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE – serves 2 – 4 – Recipe by Mark Bittman
About 1 Tbs. butter for dish
1/3 cup sugar, plus some for dish
3 eggs, separated
2 oz. good quality bittersweet chocolate, melted
Pinch of salt
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter one 4-cup soufflé or other deep baking dish. Sprinkle with sugar, invert it and tap to remove excess sugar.
Beat egg yolks with all but 1 tablespoon sugar until very light and very thick; mixture will fall in a ribbon from beaters when it is ready. Mix in the melted chocolate until well combined; set aside.
Wash beaters well, or use a different set, then beat egg whites with salt and cream of tartar until whites hold soft peaks; continue to beat, gradually adding remaining tablespoon of sugar, until they are very stiff and glossy.
Stir a good spoonful of whites thoroughly into egg yolk mixture to lighten it; (egg yolk mixture will have become very stiff so this step is very important) then carefully fold in remaining whites, using a rubber spatula. Transfer to prepared soufflé dish. At this point you can cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you are ready to bake.
Bake until center is nearly set, 25 to 35 minutes. Serve immediately.
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How true that there’s nothing like a good chocolate dessert! This looks fantastic, Mary.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted…Amaranth Walnut Einkorn Cookies
Thanks Angie!! I LOVE chocolate!!
What a perfect-looking soufflé – a real valentine’s day treat! 🙂
The Healthy Epicurean recently posted…Mango and ginger kulfi and fire-proof mouths
Thank you!! 🙂
I was going to post about a chocolate souffle but I farted around too long and the darn thing began to collapse and wasn’t beautiful, so I ate it. 🙂 Yours is amazing!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted…Zahtar – a Taste of Lebanon
LOL!!!! You are too funny Maureen!! Happy V-day!!
This looks amazing Mary! You’re right… the perfect finish to a V Day dinner!
Thanks Margot!! 🙂
What a lovely dessert, well done and Happy V Day
Raymund recently posted…FoodieBox Giveaway
Thanks Raymund!!
I’ve never made a souffle before, but now I am tempted to! I hope you had a great Valentines Day.
Pamela – this is super easy. I do hope you give it a try!
I do love chocolate souffle and yours looks very good. You did really well to photograph it as I know with souffles there’s only a tiny window of opportunity. I think a chocolate souffle is the perfect Valentine’s dessert xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted…Grecian Blue, Mosman
I agree – thank you Charlie Louie!!
Beautiful looking souffle!
Thank you!! 🙂
Yup chocolate souffle gets me every time. And we won’t even go into what it does for Mrs KR! Haven’t made one of these in ages. Need to again — and I’ll use this recipe. Really nice — thanks.
John@Kitchen Riffs recently posted…Homemade Whole Wheat Bread
Well get on with it John – for Mrs. KR!! 🙂
This chocolate souffle looks so good…and it seems so easy to put together…thanks for the recipe Mary…
Hope you are having a great week 🙂
Juliana – this is super easy. I do hope you’ll try it!
Hi Mary, what a great dessert to finish off a meal here, looks delicious!
cheri recently posted…Seeded Buckwheat Cookies
Thanks Cheri!! 🙂
This would have been perfect for Valentines Day or in fact any day! 😀
So true Lorraine!! I hope you’ll get to try it!
this to me is the perfect dessert 🙂
Tandy | Lavender and Lime recently posted…Recipe For Italian Meringue
My sentiments exactly, Tandy!!!
I must admit that I have never attempted a chocolate soufflé, but always think that it is something that I must make! So yes, indeed it is on my bucket list of things to bake. Your soufflé looks wonderfully delicious and just the thing to end a Valentine’s or any special meal. Hope your day was a lovely one. All the best, Laila
tableofcolors recently posted…A Princess with Eye-whiskers
Laila – this is so easy – don’t wait – please make it soon!!