Scrumptious Chocolate Souffle
Serves: 2-4 Preparation: 5 mins Cooking Time: 45 mins
Why not try your hand at this truely scrumptious dessert
Ingredients
Butter
1/3 cup sugar plus additional for sprinkling
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped
3 large egg yolks at room temperature
6 large egg whites
Accompaniment: lightly sweetened whipped cream
Special equipment: a 5 1/2 to 6-cup glass or ceramic souffle dish
Method
Preheat the oven to 375F/190C/Fan 170C/ Gas Mark 5
Generously butter souffle dish and sprinkle with sugar, knocking out excess.
Melt chocolate in a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove bowl from heat and stir in yolks (mixture will stiffen).
Beat whites with a pinch of salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until they just hold soft peaks. Add 1/3 cup sugar, a little at a time, continuing to beat at medium speed, then beat at high speed until whites just hold stiff peaks. Stir about 1 cup whites into chocolate mixture to lighten, then add mixture to remaining whites, folding gently but thoroughly.
Spoon into souffle dish and run the end of your thumb around inside edge of souffle dish (this will help souffle rise evenly). Bake in middle of oven until puffed and crusted on top but still jiggly in center, 24 to 26 minutes. Serve immediately.