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Chocolate Soufflé

Looking for a seriously over-the-top chocolate dessert that is very low fat with an unbelievably rich texture and intense chocolate flavor? Who isn’t? The cool crème anglaise served over warm, creamy soufflé is a total treat.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6

Ingredients

1/3 cup half-and-half
3 ounces premium-quality unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup amber agave nectar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 large egg whites
Vanilla Crème Anglaise (page 106)
Agave Nectar Whipped Cream (page 113)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly brush 6 (12-ounce) individual soufflé ramekins with melted butter.

    Step 2

    Pour the half-and-half into a saucepan and cook over medium heat until small bubbles appear around the edge and the liquid is just beginning to tremble. Immediately remove from the heat and add the chopped chocolate. Stir well to melt all the chocolate. Make a double boiler by setting a large bowl over a saucepan half filled with boiling water. Place the melted chocolate mixture in the bowl, add the cocoa powder, water, and 1/4 cup of the agave nectar. Whisk together well. When the mixture becomes hot, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

    Step 3

    Make a meringue by beating the egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium-high and add the remaining 1/4 cup agave nectar in a slow, steady stream until the egg whites are stiff and glossy but not dry, another 1 to 2 minutes. Fold half the meringue into the warm chocolate mixture using a large rubber spatula. Then gently fold the chocolate mixture into the remaining meringue.

    Step 4

    Spoon the batter into the prepared ramekins. Place on the center rack of the oven with room to rise (you may have to remove the upper rack in the oven). Bake for about 15 minutes, or until puffed. Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Crack the crown with a spoon and drizzle crème anglaise inside. Cap off with a little whipped cream on top.

Reprinted with permission from Baking with Agave Nectar: Over 100 Recipes Using Nature's Ultimate Sweetener by Ania Catalano. Copyright © 2008 by Ania Catalano; photography © 2008 by Lara Hata. Published by Celestial Arts, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York. Ania Catalano is a graduate of the Natural Gourmet School of Cooking in New York and the owner of the Gourmet Whole Foods Catering and Cooking School in Milford, Connecticut.
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