Homemade In The Kitchen

Small Batch Recipes and Recipes For Two

Espresso Soufflé

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“Learn how to cook, try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, BE FEARLESS and above all, have fun!” ~ Julia Child

What is on your culinary bucket list? Mine contains soufflé. You always hear chefs on TV complaining about how hard soufflés are and that people are sent home for it. If professional chefs can’t make soufflés, how can home cooks possibly make one? That brings us to today’s #SundaySupper meal #CookForJulia, where we are celebrating what would have been Julia Child’s 100th birthday this month. Julia Child was definitely a pioneer in the cooking world, inspiring chefs, both home and professional, not to be afraid of the kitchen. For her, I conquered my fear of failure and baked Espresso Soufflé.




What is a soufflé? According to Julia’s famous book Mastering the Art of French Cooking, it is “a sauce containing a flavoring or puree into which stiffly beaten egg whites are incorporated” (page 157). You then put this sauce into a mold, typically a ramekin, and bake until it puffs up. Jenni of Pastry Chef Online told me awhile ago on Twitter that soufflés are designed to rise. You never have to worry about them not rising. Of course, the amount of rise depends on how well you beat and fold the egg whites, but they will always rise.



As I was making my Espresso Soufflé, I realized it is a metaphor for life – fear of failure, expectations, window of opportunity. I should know a thing or two about this. Two years ago, I accepted a job in a small country town and moved by myself, a few hours from family and friends. People ask me ALL the time why I did it and then proceed to tell me how they would never have the guts. Guts? It was out of desperation – I spent 13 months after graduating college looking for an entry-level job. Instead, I ended up working sales floor at Target. Talk about being miserable. When I was offered my job, I knew this was the window of opportunity I needed to get my life back on track. It’s been a rough two years living alone, which is why I started becoming active in my blog again.



How does a soufflé teach one about window of opportunity? Simple – you only have a few minutes to get that golden shot of the soufflé at its peak. Then it sinks. Mine didn’t even rise above the rim because I was too timid filling the ramekins. Last week, I overfilled mini cupcakes. Twice. Julia said if you fill them too much, the soufflé would spill over. I got scared.

So my pictures aren’t soufflé perfect. The taste makes up for that. It reminds me of a spongy egg custard. I’ve never had a soufflé before, so I’m going to assume mine tasted perfect. The Espresso Soufflé is well-balanced between bitter from the espresso powder, sweet from the powdered sugar on top, and spice from the cinnamon and clove. Espresso powder is found in the coffee aisle, but if your regular store doesn’t carry it, you may have to find an Italian grocery store. You can substitute instant coffee (which is what the original recipe called for).

Julia Child is a huge inspiration to me. She wasn’t afraid to play with the big boys and demonstrated no fear in the kitchen. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen her kitchen at the Smithsonian in DC and visit it every time I’m in that museum, and I don’t plan on stopping.

Espresso Soufflé

Espresso Soufflé

Yield: 2-4

Ingredients

  • 1/4 Tbsp butter, softened
  • Granulated sugar, for coating inside of ramekin
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp flour
  • 3 ounces milk
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp espresso powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground clove
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 Tbsp softened butter
  • 3 egg whites
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar, for garnish

Instructions

  2. Preheat the oven to 400F. Rub the inside of a 3-cup soufflé mold (either one big one or several mini ones) with 1/4 Tbsp butter. Coat the bottom and sides with sugar. Knock out excess sugar. If using mini molds, place them onto a cookie sheet for easy carrying.
  3. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the flour, milk, and sugar. Heat it for a few minutes. Right before it boils, whisk in the espresso powder, cinnamon, and clove. Bring it to a boil until mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and beat for 2 minutes to cool slightly. Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time, until smooth. Beat in the butter and set aside.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and salt until soft peaks form. Sprinkle on the sugar then continue beating until stiff peaks form.
  5. Beat the vanilla into the espresso base. Stir in fourth of the egg whites. Delicately fold in the rest.
  6. Fill the soufflé mold(s), leaving a little bit of space before the rim. If the mold is too full, it will spill over as it rises. Put the mold(s) into the oven and immediately turn the temperature down to 375F. Bake around 15 minutes for mini molds and around 30 minutes for large mold. They are done when a toothpick or knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Pull out of the oven then sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve immediately.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo on Instagram using #HITKrecipesAll recipes are tested in a U.S. kitchen with U.S. ingredients at normal elevation using a conventional gas oven. Results may vary.

© Carla Cardello

Source: Adapted from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says

    I like your analogy about windows of opportunity. I´ve realized a few weeks ago, I´m going through one myself right now, and if I do things right it might be just what I needed. Souffles are such a great achievement. The flavors in this one are absolutely up my alley. Great recipe! Have a great sunday Carla!

    Reply

  10. Laura @ Family Spice says

    Oh, please! I moved my butt to Florida where I had no family and one boyfriend, who ended becoming my ex-boyfriend! Living in Florida was a great adventure in my life, fabulous work experience and life long friends were made there. And I think your mousse IS picture perfect! Great job!

    Reply

  14. Mallory says

    They look amazing – soufflé is one item I have not yet attempted. My fear is getting them to the table at the right time…maybe I should just have a dessert party and serve soufflé as the main dish! Have a great week! And it does take guts…You have guts, it is a good thing.

    Reply

  17. Sarah says

    I can relate to you reservations about over filling the ramekins. Mine didn’t rise much either but they were still light and fluffy in the inside. I’m the sure the flavor of the espresso was out of this world good. We’ll know for next time and we’ll be completely frearless. Even if the souffles makes a mess in our ovens.

    Reply

  20. Susan says

    1. Wonderful story Carla! 2. No matter how high those souffle’s rose above the ramekins, they are still an amazing success. Browned, beautiful and fluffy!

    Reply

  21. Chris says

    Well, soufflé is also still on my list. Good that I know now I have the perfect guidline for doing it. It was luvly reading your post. I hope there are also some other flavours for soufflé in Julia’s books …

    Reply

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