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Aunt Hazel's Kitchen

Chocolate Soufflé.

Set edges, molten centre — a classic French dessert that must go straight from oven to table. A visual show matched by extraordinary flavour.

Time
15 min prep + 12 min baking
Serves
4 servings (4 ramekins)
Season
All Year
Difficulty
Medium

The Story

Soufflé takes its name from the Latin 'sufflare' — to breathe — and it truly does take a breath inside the oven. The most dramatic dessert in the French repertoire, chocolate soufflé reaches perfection in the hands of those who master timing. It should be savoured while it still stands tall, not mourned after it falls. That molten chocolate centre is a small miracle in every spoonful.

Every soufflé is a promise — nail the timing and the flavour becomes legendary.

Instructions

8 Steps

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Brush the inside of each ramekin with melted butter, then coat with cocoa powder, tapping out the excess. Refrigerate.

  2. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a bain-marie (heatproof bowl over simmering water), stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

  3. In a large bowl, beat 4 whole eggs + 4 extra egg yolks with the sugar using an electric mixer until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes.

  4. Slowly pour the melted chocolate into the egg mixture in a thin stream, whisking constantly.

  5. Add flour, vanilla and salt, folding gently with a spatula — do not overmix.

  6. Fill the prepared ramekins to three-quarters full. (At this point you can refrigerate them for up to 1 hour.)

  7. Place in the preheated oven. Bake for 10–12 minutes — edges should be set and risen, centre should still wobble slightly.

  8. Immediately invert onto individual plates, dust with icing sugar and serve at once.

Hazel's Note

Pre-chilling the ramekins prevents the chocolate from sticking. Baking time is critical: 10 minutes gives a fully molten centre; 12 minutes a slightly more set but still warm core. Never open the oven during baking — the soufflé will collapse. You can prepare the batter ahead and refrigerate for up to 1 hour; bring to room temperature for 15 minutes before baking.

Desserts · All Year · Medium · sufle · çikolata · Fransız tatlısı · özel günler · akışkan kek

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