Recipe: Elegant Chocolate Souffle

ELEGANT CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE

5 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
4 drops pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
8 egg whites
confectioners' sugar
sweetened whipped cream

Beat egg yolks with 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in flour until a paste is formed.

Meanwhile, scald milk; add egg mixture, all at once, and bring to a boil.

With a wire whisk, quickly and vigorously beat until paste is well incorporated into milk and is smooth. Continue to stir with wooden spoon until mixture is thick. Add melted chocolate, stirring to blend; cool.

Gradually add remaining sugar to egg whites beaten in three stages as follows: Beat 3 egg whites, then add another 3 egg whites and finally 2 egg whites until stiff and shiny but not dry. (Egg whites should not slide if bowl is tipped.) Fold egg whites into souffle batter.

Pipe or spoon batter almost to rim into 12 greased and sugared 2-inch souffle dishes or custard cups or two 5-inch souffle dishes.

Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven 30 minutes for individual souffle or 1 hour or longer for larger souffle.

Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve topped with whipped cream.

Servings: 12
Source: The Complete Dessert Cookbook by Johna Blinn