Full of chocolate, these Hot Chocolate Souffles are impressive, yet easy to make.
In the kitchen, I think I am what you would call “safe” most of the time. I mainly stick to things I know. I’m not afraid to try new things, and sometimes I do, but I think about 90% of the time, I stick to things that I know, flavors that I am familiar with, and methods that I have used before. But sometimes, you just want to break out and do something you haven’t done before!
There are several things on my list of things that I want to try in the kitchen one day. Souffles are one of them. I don’t know why, but souffles are kind of scary to me. But really, they are quite simple to put together. My biggest problem with this Hot Chocolate Souffle is that i didn’t get them to really “souffle”. But I take all the blame. I was talking on the phone with my sister when I heard the oven timer go off. Silly me – I completely forgot I even had them in the oven!! I should have been checking on them regularly, but by the time I ran to the oven, I think they were a minute or two overcooked.
Even if they didn’t puff up like I had hoped, they still tasted fantastic. Super rich and chocolaty – made me wish I had a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. This would be a perfect dessert to serve to company since so much of it can be done ahead of time. Just throw them in the oven just before dessert, and that’s it!
Recipe Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Hot Chocolate Souffles
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon softened butter for the ramekins, plus 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder sifted through a strainer, or more as needed
- 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped coarse
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs allowed to warm to room temperature
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Brush the inside of six 5-ounce ovenproof ramekins or Pyrex custard cups with the softened butter. Put the cocoa powder in a ramekin and rotate the ramekin so the cocoa completely coats the inside walls. Pour the cocoa powder from one ramekin to another until they are all coated. Tap firmly on the bottom of each ramekin after coating it with cocoa so that there are not clumps of cocoa left clinging on the inside. Put the ramekins on a sheet pan and slide them into the refrigerator.
- Combine the 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, the chocolate, and the vanilla extract in a small heatproof mixing bowl. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (but don’t let the bowl touch the water) and stir with a whisk until smooth. Or, using a nonmetal bowl, heat in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Combine the eggs and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. They take a lot of beating, so try to avoid beating them by hand. Whip on high speed for 2 to 4 minutes with the whisk attachment until the eggs triple in volume – eggs at room temperature froth up more quickly than cold ones. When you lift the whisk about 6 inches out of the bowl, the mixture should slowly fall in a steady stream – bakers call this a ribbon – about 1 inch thick.
- Scoop the egg mixture over the chocolate mixture. Put the flour in a strainer and sift a small amount over the egg-chocolate mixture by gently shaking the strainer. Fold everything together with a rubber spatula, sifting the flour over the mixture about four times during the folding. Pour the mixture into the ramekins, filling them about three-fourths full. Put the souffles in the freezer for at least 1 hour but no longer than 1 week.
- Thirty minutes before serving, preheat the oven to 425F. Slide the sheet pan with the ramekins into the oven and bake for 17 minutes, until the mixture has risen about 1/4 inch above the edges. The souffles should be cakelike on the outside and still runny in the middle.
- You can serve the souffles in their mold – just sprinkle them with a bit of confectioners’ sugar – or you can quickly run a knife around the inside of the ramekins and unmold the cakes on hot plates. Serve with sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Avanika [YumsiliciousBakes] says
Oh these look super delicious!
triplescoopdesserts says
I've never made souffles before. I might try now after reading our post
oneordinaryday says
These look wonderful!
Grumpy & HoneyB says
So yummy and what a pretty picture!
Grumpy & HoneyB says
So yummy and what a pretty picture!
The Double Dipped Life says
What a wonderful bowl of chocolaty goodness! Yum!
Karly says
Your pictures are always gorgeous, but that one of the chocolate souffles is just amazing. Love it!
Katie says
They look yummy! Perfectly risen
grace says
i think your souffle debut is incredible! i can only hope my first attempt is nearly as successful. 🙂
Joanne says
Souffles are definitely the one dessert that really scares me. I can't quite say why. These look like chocolate heaven!
Holly says
MmmmYum! Love all the chocolate!
Barbara says
Looks darn good to me, Deborah! Whether they were as puffed as you wanted them or not. I've made cheese souffles, but never a dessert souffle. This looks fabulous and I have a son who loves them- always orders one when we go out.
kat says
Souffles scare me too but those look great & really taste is what's most important
Valen says
These look great, I really need to try this soon!
Cassie says
I need to find an excuse to make these immediately. They look AMAZING.
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
Those are fabulous soufflés! They must be devilishly delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa