How to Make a Homemade Chocolate Cherry Soufflé

Homemade Chocolate Cherry Soufflé

By now many of you know that I was a chef for many years, a pastry chef to be exact. I loved the fast-paced, creative outlet that working as a chef provided. What I did not like was the 14-hour days, odd hours and lack of time I had to spend with my family and friends. You definitely form a camaraderie, a bond with your kitchen staff, they essentially become your family. When we made the decision to move from California back to Michigan I was given the opportunity to take some time and seriously contemplate the direction of my career. Did I want to continue on a path as a chef or combine my degree in business and culinary in a different and unique direction? I worked a bit in the culinary scene here in Michigan but life took an unexpected turn when I answered a craigslist ad to blog for an up and coming vanilla company. Four years later I am finishing up a fine arts photography degree and growing my business by leaps and bounds. I have the ability to find the beauty in food (my first passion) through the lens with an amazing company who is open and willing to nurture creativity and passion. Thank you to two innovative entrepreneurs who had the foresight and willingness to allow me to grow with them. Thank you Beanilla!

So let’s celebrate with a chocolate cherry soufflé! As I looked back through my binders from culinary school I realized I have never made a soufflé. Can you believe that?? A chef who has never made a soufflé, unheard of. In that moment it became abundantly clear what my next recipe needed to be, a rich but light and airy chocolate soufflé but not just any chocolate soufflé, a chocolate cherry soufflé. We are after all in the heart of cherry country. Michigan is one of the top producers of sweet cherries. We celebrate this fact with many cherry festivals each year, engorging ourselves in sweet cherry pies, cherry preserves, condiments and even dried cherries.

Our cherry extract is the perfect addition to any dessert, pastry or sauce when fresh cherries are not in season. The tangy and bright flavor of cherry compliments dark in chocolate in a very unexpected way. Many of the high-quality dark chocolate bars on the market inherently have notes of cherry and almond. The perfect way to bring out the cherry notes in the chocolate.

Chocolate Cherry Soufflé

Yields 1 large soufflé or 4 individual
Preheat Oven To 350 degrees fahrenheit

Chocolate Cherry Soufflé Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon cherry extract
  • 7 eggs, separating the whites and the yolks
  • 1 pinch salt

How To Make a Chocolate Cherry Soufflé

Place the chopped chocolate into a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals until the chocolate has melted, add the cherry extract and whisk to combine. Set aside to cool. Butter and sugar 4 individual ramekins or one large one.

In a clean stand mixer, place the egg whites and dash in a pinch of salt. Beat on high until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Set aside. In a small bowl whisk together the egg yolks until the yolks lighten in color. Whisk the melted chocolate into the egg yolks, then fold the egg whites gently into the mixture.

Gently scoop the mixture into the ramekins. Smooth the top. Using your thumb, run your thumb along the top edge of the ramekin to assure even rising of the soufflé.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes until puffed.