Tuesdays with Dorie - Chocolate Souffle

Let me begin by saying I've had issues with meringue since the first time I tried to spell it. And since that time I haven't successfully made a perfect or beautiful meringue. Is it too much to ask for a light and pillowy yet stiff meringue that holds its glossy shiny goodness?

Granted I'm probably being a little hard on myself since I've only tried like four times spaced out in the last two years. But still. You'd think I'd have it mastered by now. Especially considering I read up on it, watched several instructional YouTube Videos and carefully noted all of Dorie's notes in Baking From My Home To Yours. Alas, this technique is going to take me a while. I think I'll take a weekend afternoon, buy two cartons of eggs and just go at it.

With that said, I absolutely loved this recipe and feel like it tasted great. I had two minor mess-ups: one being the obvious meringue. They weren't glossy and they looked like they would have turned to cream if I kept my KitchenAid on for a few whirls. Second: I forgot the milk. Oops. I totally had it out on my counter, all measured out. I just forgot.

The funny thing was the fact that I thought the chocolate was absolutely too thick and while I was adding the egg yolks in I kept thinking to myself, "This recipe is whacked...it better turn out good!"

But like I said, I loved this souffle. To me it was guilt free cake because of the zero butter and flour factor. (I'll admit, I didn't feel very guilty after eating it...it's leaps and bounds better for me than my usual cupcake that is topped with about a pound of deliciously sweet buttercream frosting) And the big winner--I always have chocolate, milk, sugar and eggs on hand! I hope to make this the next time I have another couple over for dinner, a movie or games. (Of course, I would make sure I mastered the meringue first.)

Two more things you should know: I halved the recipe and it only took 18 minutes. It filled three 3/4-cup ramekins. And the raspberry goodness is straight from my in-laws' raspberry bush. So delicious.

Make sure you check out how the other TWD Bakers did this week! And check out Susan's blog, She's Becoming Doughmesstic. She chose the Chocolate Souffle recipe and I absolutely love her blog! She is very funny, inventive and just a great baker! You'll also remember she hosted the Penny Pinching Pantry Raid that I participated in this summer. (Which reminds me I never posted a final entry about how I did. Hint: I did complete the challenge with only $2.25 left!)