Basic Cheese Souffle Recipes

CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Use room temperature butter to grease an 8-inch souffle mold. Add the grated Parmesan and roll around the mold to cover the sides. Cover with plastic wrap and place into the freezer for 5 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a small saucepan, heat the butter. Allow all of the water to cook out.
• In a separate bowl combine the flour, dry mustard, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Whisk this mixture into the melted butter. Cook for 2 minutes.
• Whisk in the hot milk and turn the heat to high. Once the mixture reaches a boil, remove from the heat.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks to a creamy consistency. Temper the yolks into the milk mixture, constantly whisking. Remove from the heat and add the cheese. Whisk until incorporated.
• In a separate bowl, using a hand mixer, whip the egg whites and cream of tartar until glossy and firm. Add 1/4 of the mixture to the base. Continue to add the whites by thirds, folding very gently.
• Pour the mixture into the souffle. Fill the souffle to 1/2-inch from the top. Place on an aluminum pie pan. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes.

CHEESE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375° F. Grease one 16-ounce or two 8-ounce ramekins with 1 tablespoon of butter. Coat with the Parmesan, then tap out the excess. Set aside.
• In a small saucepan, over medium heat, melt the remaining butter. Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce boils, 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese until melted. Blend in the cayenne and nutmeg. Whisk in the yolks one at a time. Set aside. (The recipe can be made to this point up to 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
• In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with the salt until stiff (but not dry) peaks form. Stir 1/4 of the egg whites into the cheese sauce to loosen it. Gently fold in the remaining egg whites. Spoon into the ramekins. Bake until puffed and browned, 40 minutes for a 16-ounce soufflé, 20 minutes for two smaller ones. Serve immediately.

BASIC SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375° F (190° C).
• Melt butter in medium saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Stir in milk all at once. Continue stirring until mixture boils and is smooth and thickened.
• Separate eggs. Beat yolks well and add ¼ cup (50 mL) of warm sauce mixture to egg yolks.
• Combine yolk mixture with remaining sauce, blending thoroughly. If desired, add finely chopped filling ingredients, stirring into white sauce until blended (see variations). Set sauce aside to cool slightly.
• Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in large bowl, until stiff but not dry. Fold some of the egg whites into sauce to make it lighter, then gently but thoroughly fold the sauce into the remaining egg whites.
• Carefully pour into 4-cup (1 L) soufflé or casserole dish.
• Bake in preheated 375° F (190° C) oven until puffed and lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes or until done. Serve immediately.

NEVER-FAIL CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Butter the bread slices on both sides (use the whole stick), then cut them into 3/4-inch squares. (Leave the crust on.)
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl until foamy, then gradually whisk in the milk.
• Alternate layers of bread and Cheddar in a low 2-quart oval baking dish, starting with the bread and ending with Cheddar (4 layers total). Pour in the egg mixture, and press the bread and Cheddar down into the egg. Refrigerate overnight, covered, so the bread soaks up the liquid.
• About 1 1/2 hours before serving, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Bake until puffed, golden and cooked through, about 1 hour. Serve hot or warm.

CLASSIC CHEESE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Butter 1-quart soufflé dish or casserole. Make a 4-inch-wide band of triple-thickness foil 2 inches longer than circumference of dish. Butter one side of foil. Secure foil band, buttered side in, around top edge of dish.
• In 2-quart saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt, mustard and red pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese until melted; remove from heat.
• In medium bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar with electric mixer on high speed until stiff but not dry; set aside. In small bowl, beat egg yolks on high speed about 3 minutes or until very thick and lemon colored; stir into cheese mixture. Stir about one-fourth of the egg whites into cheese mixture. Fold cheese mixture into remaining egg whites. Carefully pour into soufflé dish.
• Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean. Carefully remove foil band. Serve immediately by quickly dividing soufflé into sections with 2 forks.

CLASSIC CHEESE SOUFFLè

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Butter 1-quart soufflé dish or casserole. Make a 4-inch band of triple-thickness aluminum foil 2 inches longer than circumference of dish. Butter one side. Secure foil band, buttered side in, around top edge of dish.
• Melt butter in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt, mustard and red pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese until melted; remove from heat.
• Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff but not dry; set aside. Beat egg yolks in small bowl on high speed about 3 minutes or until very thick and lemon colored; stir into cheese mixture. Stir about 1/4 of the egg whites into cheese mixture. Fold cheese mixture into remaining egg whites. Carefully pour into soufflé dish.
• Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean. Carefully remove foil band and quickly divide soufflé into sections with 2 forks. Serve immediately.

CLASSIC CHEESE SOUFFLE (JULIA CHILD)

Steps:

• Position rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 400 degrees.
• Butter 6-cup (1-1/2 quart) souffle dish.
• Add Parmesan cheese and tilt dish, coating bottom and sides.
• Warm milk in heavy small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add flour and whisk until mixture begins to foam and loses raw taste, about 3 minutes; do not allow mixture to brown).
• Remove saucepan from heat; let stand 1 minute.
• Pour in warm milk, whisking constantly until very thick, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat; whisk in paprika, salt, and nutmeg.
• Add egg yolks 1 at a time, whisking to blend after each addition.
• Scrape souffle base into large bowl.
• Cool to lukewarm. DO AHEAD; can be made 2 hours ahead.
• Cover and let stand at room temperature.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in another large bowl until stiff but not dry.
• Fold 1/4 of whites into lukewarm or room temperature souffle base to lighten.
• Fold in remaining whites in 2 additions while gradually sprinkling in Gruyere cheese.
• Transfer batter to prepared dish.
• Place dish in oven and immediately reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees.
• Bake until souffle is puffed and golden brown on top and center moves only slightly when dish is shaken gently, about 25 minutes (do not open oven door during first 20 minutes).
• Serve immediately.

THREE-CHEESE SOUFFLES

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, mustard, salt and pepper sauce. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat to medium-low; stir in cheeses until melted. Transfer to a large bowl., Separate eggs. Place egg whites in a medium bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat egg yolks until thick and lemon-colored, about 4 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup hot cheese mixture; return all to remaining cheese mixture, stirring constantly. Cool completely, about 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 325°. Place eight ungreased 8-oz. ramekins in a baking pan., With clean beaters, beat egg whites with cream of tartar on high speed until stiff but not dry. With a rubber spatula, gently stir a fourth of the egg whites into cheese mixture. Fold in remaining whites., Transfer to prepared ramekins. Add 1 in. of hot water to baking pan. Bake 40-45 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Serve immediately. Freeze option: Securely wrap unbaked souffles with foil and freeze. To use, preheat oven to 325°. Remove foil and place frozen souffles in a baking pan; add 1 in. warm water to larger pan. Bake 60-65 minutes or until heated through and tops are golden brown.

SIMPLE CHEESE SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Place rack in center. Generously butter bottom and sides of a 2-quart souffle dish with 1 1/2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. In a small bowl, mix together Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs, and sprinkle in dish, swirling to thoroughly coat the bottom and sides.
• Grate Jarlsberg and cheddar cheeses into a small bowl. Cut Saga blue and brie into small chunks. Combine, and set aside.
• Melt the remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Whisk in flour and mustard, and cook, whisking constantly, for 3 to 5 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk, and cook until thick and smooth, an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and season with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Pour souffle base into a large bowl. Whisk in egg yolks a few at a time until smooth. Stir in cheese until well incorporated.
• In the bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip 12 whites on medium-low speed until foamy. Increase the speed to high, and continue whisking until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes.
• Quickly and gently fold the egg whites and nutmeg into the souffle base just until incorporated. Pour into souffle dish, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Serve immediately.

CHEESY SOUFFLES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in cheese until melted. Remove from the heat. Beat egg yolks. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Cool slightly. , Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into egg yolk mixture. Pour into two ungreased 8-oz. ramekins or custard cups. , Bake 20-25 minutes or until the tops are puffed and centers appear set. Serve immediately.

CHEESE SOUFFLé IN 4 EASY STEPS

Steps:

• Preparing the soufflé dish: Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 and place a baking sheet on the middle shelf. Butter a 15cm soufflé dish generously, then sprinkle in the breadcrumbs and rotate the dish to ensure the butter is evenly coated. Tip out any excess breadcrumbs.
• Making a thick white sauce: In a pan, melt the butter over a medium heat; stir in the flour and mustard. Cook, stirring, for 1 min. Take off the heat and gradually stir in the milk, mixing it in thoroughly before adding more. Return to the heat and stir continuously until very thick (around 10 mins). Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool. Crack the eggs, placing the whites into a clean bowl and stirring the yolks into the sauce. Stir in cheddar and season well.
• Adding the egg whites: Use a clean whisk to beat the egg whites until peaks form that just hold their shape (electric is best as it will make the job much quicker). Then take a metal spoon and gently stir the whipped whites into the white sauce in a figure of eight.
• Top-hatting: Spoon the mixture into the dish. Run a cutlery knife around the edge to create a 'top hat' effect; this ensures the soufflé rises above the rim and doesn't stick. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 25-30 mins until the top is golden and risen and has a slight wobble. Serve immediately.
• EQUIPMENT: 15cm soufflé dish, saucepan, 2 large mixing bowls, wooden spoon, spatula, baking sheet, large metal spoon, measuring jug, grater, electric whisk, cutlery knife.

CLASSIC CHEESE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Position rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 400F.Butter 6-cup (1 1/2-quart) soufflé dish. Add Parmesan cheese and tilt dish, coating bottom and sides. Warm milk in heavy small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until mixture begins to foam and loses raw taste, about 3 minutes (do not allow mixture to brown). Remove saucepan from heat; let stand 1 minute. Pour in warm milk, whisking until smooth. Return to heat and cook, whisking constantly until very thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in paprika, salt, and nutmeg. Add egg yolks 1 at a time, whisking to blend after each addition. Scrape soufflé base into large bowl. Cool to lukewarm. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in another large bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold 1/4 of whites into lukewarm or room temperature soufflé base to lighten. Fold in remaining whites in 2 additions while gradually sprinkling in Gruyère cheese. Transfer batter to prepared dish.
• Place dish in oven and immediately reduce oven temperature to 375F. Bake until soufflé is puffed and golden brown on top and center moves only slightly when dish is shaken gently, about 25 minutes (do not open oven door during first 20 minutes). Serve immediately.

CHEESE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Using 10 grams (2 teaspoons) butter, grease a 2-quart soufflé dish. Dust with 12 grams (2 tablespoons) Parmesan. Heat oven to 400 degrees with rack positioned in the lower third.
• Make the béchamel: Place a strainer over a large bowl and set aside. Heat remaining butter over medium heat in a heavy medium-size saucepan. Add shallot and cook, stirring, until softened (do not brown), 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in flour and cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes, until smooth and bubbling, but not browned. It should have the texture of wet sand. Remove from heat and whisk in milk all at once. Return to heat and bring to a simmer while whisking. Continue to whisk until mixture begins to thicken. Turn heat to very low and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often with a whisk and scraping bottom and edges of pan with a rubber spatula. The sauce will be quite thick and should have no taste of raw flour. Add 3 grams ( 1/2 teaspoon) salt, the white pepper and the nutmeg. While it is still hot, strain sauce into the large bowl.
• Immediately beat egg yolks into sauce, one at a time. Adjust salt and pepper.
• In a stand mixer or using electric beaters, begin beating egg whites on low speed. When they begin to foam, add cream of tartar and a pinch of salt. Continue to beat until they form stiff but not dry peaks. Be careful not to overbeat or egg whites will fall apart when you fold them into sauce, which will make your soufflé mixture grainy.
• Using a large rubber spatula, stir a quarter of the egg whites into sauce. Stir in Gruyère, remaining Parmesan and truffle if using. Gently fold remaining whites into mixture, working rapidly but gingerly so whites don't collapse. Carefully spoon or pour mixture into prepared soufflé dish and place dish on a baking sheet.
• Place in oven, turning heat down to 375 degrees as soon as you close the oven door. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until soufflé has puffed above the top of the dish, and soufflé top is golden brown. Turn off oven. If desired, let sit 5 minutes (the sauce in the middle will thicken slightly, but the soufflé will remain puffed) or serve at once. The center of the soufflé should be saucy. When you serve the soufflé, spoon sauce from the middle over each fluffy serving.