Chocolate Mint Souffles Recipes

MARBLED SOUFFLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with rack in lower third. Butter six 6-ounce ramekins; coat with sugar. Place on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Whisk together flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk together milk and egg yolks, then whisk mixture into saucepan along with vanilla seeds. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a boil; let boil 1 minute, whisking frequently. (Mixture should be very thick.)
• Remove from heat and divide mixture evenly between two bowls. Whisk chocolate into one half; let second half stand 5 minutes, then whisk in sour cream. Press plastic wrap directly onto surface of each; let cool to warm room temperature, about 10 minutes. (Or place over an ice-water bath and whisk until cool.) Souffle bases can be made ahead to this point and refrigerated up to 1 day. Bring to room temperature and whisk to loosen before proceeding.
• Whisk egg whites to break up a bit, then pour half (about 1/4 cup) into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until foamy; add cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; beat until peaks are stiff and glossy, 1 to 2 minutes. Spoon a dollop of mixture into chocolate base; whisk to lighten. Add remainder and gently fold in until combined (don't worry if some streaks remain). Repeat with other half of egg whites and vanilla base.
• Divide chocolate mixture among prepared ramekins, then spoon vanilla mixture into centers. For a marbled effect, swirl with a small spatula. Bake until risen and set, about 16 minutes. Serve immediately, dusted with confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder, with scoops of ice cream.

CHOCOLATE MINT SOUFFLES FOR TWO

Steps:

• Separate eggs.
• Place whites in a small bowl; let stand until room temperature.
• Place yolks in another bowl; set aside.
• Coat two 10-oz. ramekins or custard cups with cooking spray and lightly sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar; place on a baking sheet and set aside.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 2 tablespoons sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.
• Remove from the heat; stir in chocolate chips and extract until chips are melted.
• Transfer to a small bowl.
• Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to the bowl, stirring constantly. Cool slightly.
• Beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form.
• Gradually beat in remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form.
• With a spatula, fold a fourth of the egg whites into chocolate mixture until no white streaks remain.
• Fold in remaining egg whites until combined.
• Transfer to prepared ramekins.
• Bake at 375° for 18-22 minutes or until tops are puffed and centers are almost set.
• Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.
• Serve immediately.

MINT CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé CREPES

Steps:

• To make the filling:
• In a saucepan stir together the cocoa powder, 1/3 cup of the sugar, the cornstarch, and a pinch of salt, add the milk in a stream, whisking, and bring the mixture to a boil, whisking until it is thick and smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool. In a bowl beat the egg whites until they hold soft peaks, add the mint extract, and beat in the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, a little at a time, beating until the whites hold stiff peaks. Stir one third of the whites into the cocoa mixture and fold in the remaining whites gently but thoroughly.
• Make 8 crêpes (procedure follows) with the chocolate crêpe batter. Spread 1/3 cup of the filling onto half of each crêpe and fold the crêpes gently over the filling. Bake the crêpes on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F. oven for 10 minutes, transfer them to plates, and serve them with the sauce.
• To make crêpes:
• melted unsalted butter for brushing the pan crêpe batter
• In a blender or food processor blend the flour, the cocoa, the sugar, the salt, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water, the milk, the eggs, and the butter for 5 seconds. Turn off the motor, with a rubber spatula scrape down the sides of the container, and blend the batter for 20 seconds more. Transfer the batter to a bowl and let it stand, covered for 1 hour. The batter may be made
• 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Makes enough batter for about 18 crêpes.
• Heat a crêpe pan or non-stick skillet measuring 6 to 7 inches across the bottom over moderate heat until it is hot. Brush the pan lightly with the butter, heat it until it is hot but not smoking, and remove it from the heat. Stir the batter, half fill a 1/4-cup measure with it, and pour the batter into the pan. Tilt and rotate the pan quickly to cover the bottom with a layer of batter and return any excess batter to bowl. Return the pan to the heat, loosen the edge of the crêpe with a spatula, and cook the crêpe for 1 minute, or until the top appears almost dry. Turn the crêpe, cook the other side lightly, and transfer the crêpe to a plate. Make crêpe with the remaining batter in the same manner, brushing the pan lightly with butter as necessary. The crêpes may be made 3 days in advance, kept stacked, wrapped in plastic wrap, and chilled.
• To make the sauce:
• In a heavy saucepan heat the chocolate and the cream over moderately low heat, stirring, until the chocolate is melted, but do not let the mixture boil. In a small bowl combine the cocoa powder with the brown sugar. In a small heavy saucepan bring 1/4 cup water to a simmer, add the cocoa powder mixture, a little at a time, stirring, and cook the mixture over moderately low heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Add the chocolate cream mixture and the salt and cook the mixture, stirring, until it is smooth, but do not let it boil. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the vanilla, and transfer the sauce to a bowl. Let the sauce cool and chill it, covered, for at least 2 hours, or until it is cold. The sauce keeps, covered and chilled, for 2 weeks. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

CHOCOLATE MINT TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the chocolate, butter, cream and schnapps and heat over moderately-low heat, stirring, until it is smooth.
• Transfer to a small bowl and chill, covered, for 2 hours, or until firm.
• In a small bowl, sift together cocoa and icing sugar and combine well.
• Put bowl of truffle mixture in a bowl of ice and cold water.
• Form the mixture into 1 inch balls, coating fingers with cocoa mixture to keep truffle from sticking, and roll balls in cocoa mixture.
• Chill on a baking sheet lined with wax paper for atleast 1 hour, or until firm.
• Serve in a dish garnished with fresh mint leaves.
• (the truffles keep in an airtight container, chilled, for up to 2 weeks).