Cheat Day Chocolate Soufflé

With a gooey chocolatey centre and firm exterior, this great looking chocolate soufflé is the perfect dessert to make at home. It takes less than an hour to make and is ideal as an impressive dessert if you're having guests over.

Instructions

Step 1

Let’s start by preparing the ramekins. Preheat the oven to 170°C, melt the butter in a pan and use it to brush the insides of the ramekins. Then put all of the granulated sugar in one of the ramekins and pour it into another ramekins using a twisting motion. This will make sure that the whole ramekin is coated in the sugar.

Step 2

Put your prepared ramekins to one side.

Step 3

Put the flour and butter in a bowl.

Step 4

Mix completely to form a paste.

Step 5

Put the milk and 40g of the caster sugar in a pan and bring to the boil.

Step 6

Once the milk has boiled, add the flour mixture to the pan.

Step 7

Whisk on a gentle heat.

Step 8

Continue whisking for 3-4 minutes until you have a thick paste.

Step 9

Gradually add the chopped chocolate and whisk together while the chocolate melts.

Step 10

Add the egg yolks and whisk until they’re fully incorporated and put the mixture to one side.

Step 11

Now for the meringue. Put the egg whites and cream of tartar in a bowl. You can either use a stand mixer or a hand mixer.

Step 12

Start on a slow speed and gradually increase until you get soft peaks.

Step 13

Add the remaining 35g of caster sugar and continue whisking for a couple of minutes.

Step 14

Stop when you have a glossy meringue with stiff peaks.

Step 15

Put the chocolate mixture in a bowl.

Step 16

Add one third of the meringue at a time and carefully fold into the chocolate.

Step 17

Continue adding the meringue to the chocolate until you have a fluffy mixture.

Step 18

Carefully spoon the mixture into the prepared ramekins.

Step 19

Smooth over with a spatula or knife.

Step 20

Put the soufflés on a baking tray.

Step 21

To make sure the soufflés rise evenly, we need to create a ridge around the outside of the ramekins. Use a clean thumb or finger to carefully run it around the edge of the soufflé.

Step 22

Your soufflés are ready for the oven.

Step 23

Bake for around 15 minutes. Don’t open the oven door as this can cause your soufflés to collapse.

Step 24

Sprinkle with icing sugar et voila - the perfect chocolate soufflés!

Check out more of Brendan's recipes on his blog, Nothing To Eclair, his Facebook page, his Twitter or his Instagram.