Best Brown Sugar Caramel Souffles Recipe Epicuriouscom Recipes

CARAMEL SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Adjust the rack to the lower third of the oven. Brush the inside of 8 (8-ounce) ramekins or 1 large souffle dish with melted butter and then lightly but completely dust the inside with sugar.
• Whisk together the caramel sauce and egg yolks in a medium bowl. This mixture is the souffle base.
• Using a standing mixer fitted with a whisk attachment or a hand mixer, whip the egg whites for about 30 seconds or until soft foam appears. Add the cream of tartar and continue to whip the whites for 2 minutes. Add the sugar and beat until the egg whites reach the medium-stiff peak stage.
• Using a rubber spatula, fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the caramel mixture to lighten the base. Fold in the remaining whites carefully so that the mixture is not deflated. The most efficient way to fold is to rotate the bowl and spatula simultaneously in opposite directions, one clockwise and the other counterclockwise.
• Spoon the souffle into the dish or dishes, filling them to the rim. Flatten the top with a metal spatula. Gently run a paring knife around the inner wall of the ramekin. This created a small wall of air between the souffle and the ramekin, which helps the souffle rise up straight. Place the souffles on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes for individual souffles or 30 to 40 minutes for a large souffle. When finished, the souffles should be tall, golden brown, dry on the edges and a little creamy in the center. Serve immediately.
• Caramel sauce is perhaps the most versatile incarnation of caramel. Besides being both a hot and cold sauce, it makes a great filling for tarts and other pastries. It is also a major ingredient in some of my other recipes, such as truffles that I make with Caramel Ganache and Caramel Souffle. I always keep a variety of caramel blends refrigerated in my bakeshop. They last for weeks and are ready at a moment's notice to fulfill the inevitable special request.
• When I make creamy and clear caramels that have liquid added to them, I take the caramel to a high temperature, because I want a more, intense flavor that won't be diluted when the caramel is stretched. For example, you'll be heating the sugar to 375 degrees F in this recipe and you'll want to watch it carefully so it doesn't burn.
• Adding any liquid to hot caramel will cause it to bubble up like an eruption of molten lava. Using a pot that is at least twice the volume of the ingredients will prevent boil-over. Heating the liquid first reduces the volatility of this reaction but does not eliminate it, so be prepared. Oven mitts and a long-handled whisk are helpful, and don't stick your head or arms directly over the pot. It is important to remember that the steam rising out of a pot of hot caramel is as hot as the caramel inside, and nothing is as painful as a steam burn.
• Creme fraiche adds the perfect balance to this sauce, taming the sweetness with a touch of acidity. If you can't find it, and don't have time to make it, sour cream is a good substitute. I also balance the flavor of this sauce with a second addition of sugar and a little lemon juice at the very end. This adds another subtle dimension of flavor.
• Heat a saucepan of water and place a whisk in it.
• Wash and dry your hands thoroughly. Combine the water, 1 cup of sugar, and the corn syrup in a medium saucepan. Stir them together with very clean fingers, making sure no lumps of dry sugar remain. Brush down the insides of the pan with a little water, using your hand to feel for any stray granules of sugar.
• Cover the saucepan and place it over medium heat for 4 minutes. After 4 minutes, remove the lid, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Do not stir from this point on. Keep an eye on the pan. It will be very bubbly. When stray sugar crystals appear on the side of the pan, brush them down with a wet pastry brush.
• As the sugar cooks, the bubbles will get larger. Insert a candy thermometer, and when the temperature reaches 300 degrees F, lower the heat to medium, which will slow the cooking. Continue to cook the sugar until it reaches 350 degrees F. It will be dark brown. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for 1 minute, or until the bubbles subside.
• Add the cream to the caramel. It will bubble up vigorously, so be careful.
• Vigorously whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar, creme fraiche, lemon juice, and salt. This sauce is now ready to be served warm or cooled to room temperature. It will keep stored airtight in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. When cold, it has the consistency of peanut butter.

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES WITH CREAMY CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Butter six 1-cup ramekins (4 by 2 inches) and coat with sugar, knocking out excess sugar.
• Finely chop chocolate. In a small saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add cream and bring just to a boil. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate, stirring until smooth. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and stir in yolks.
• In another large bowl with an electric mixer beat whites with cream of tartar and a pinch salt until they just hold stiff peaks. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, beating until just combined. Stir one fourth whites into chocolate mixture to lighten and fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly.
• Divide soufflé mixture among ramekins and smooth tops with a knife. Run tip of knife around edges of soufflés to aid rising. Soufflés may be made up to this point 1 day ahead and chilled, loosely wrapped in plastic wrap.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Bake soufflés on a baking sheet in lower third of oven until puffed and surfaces are cracked, about 20 minutes.
• Top soufflés with sauce and serve immediately.

SOUFFLé OF PUFF PASTRY WITH ORANGE-SCENTED PASTRY CREAM, CANDIED PECANS, AND CARAMEL BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Orange-Scented Pastry Cream
• 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the cream to soft peaks.
• 2. Whisk the Pastry Cream until smooth. Gently fold in the orange zest and whipped cream. Transfer the cream to a pastry bag fitted with a medium, plain tip and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Caramel Butter Sauce
• 1. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons (30 g/1 oz) of the water.
• 2. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, vanilla bean pod and seeds, and remaining 2 cups (470 g/16.5 oz) water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the cornstarch mixture and cook, whisking, for another minute. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the butter, salt, and rum. Keep the sauce warm until serving, or refrigerate it, covered, and rewarm before serving.
• Candied Pecans
• 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Place the pecans in a medium bowl and set aside.
• 2. In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring, just until the sugar has dissolved. Pour the syrup over the pecans and toss until combined. Spread the coated pecans on a half-sheet pan and bake for about 8 minutes, tossing once during baking, until browned and fragrant.
• Puff Pastry Rounds
• 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a half-sheet pan with a silicone baking mat.
• 2. On a lightly floured work surface, roll the puff pastry out to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Using a 3-inch round pastry cutter, cut out 10 rounds from the dough. Arrange the rounds on the prepared sheet pan and top with another silicone baking mat and half-sheet pan; this will allow the rounds to rise evenly. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the rounds are browned and nicely puffed. Remove the top sheet pan and baking mat. Preheat the broiler and dust the rounds liberally with confectioners' sugar. Place the rounds under the broiler until they are caramelized. Assemble the desserts immediately.
• Assembly
• While the Puff Pastry Rounds are still hot from the oven, split them in half. Scoop out any undercooked dough from the center of each half and pipe a generous amount of cold Orange-Scented Pastry Cream on the bottom half of the puff. Replace the top of the puff. Place the dessert on a plate and spoon some Caramel Butter Sauce on top of the warm pastry. Garnish with some Candied Pecans.

BROWN SUGAR SOUFFLES WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Brush eight (3/4 cup) soufflé dishes with softened butter. Lightly dust each with brown sugar making sure to turn each dish so you coat the sides. Place on a baking sheet; set aside. In a medium saucepan, melt the 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat; add the 1 cup of brown sugar, whipping cream, vanilla, and salt; stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Let the caramel cool slightly. Pour a 1/2 cup of the caramel into a small bowl and reserve it for sauce.
• 2. Add the egg yolks and flour to the remaining caramel; whisk constantly over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Allow this to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes. Using a clean, grease-free mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites until they are foamy. Gradually add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and whisk to stiff peaks. Fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the cooled caramel. Then gently fold the rest of the egg whites into the caramel mixture until well incorporated (you don't want any white streaks). Spoon the mixture (dividing evenly) into the soufflé dishes, filling to within 1/4 inch of the rim. Smooth the top of each. Sprinkle each lightly with brown sugar; place them back on the baking sheet. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the soufflés are puffed and golden brown. *Serve IMMEDIATELY with the reserved caramel sauce. *What I did was present the souffle (intact) to the Chef, then I drizzled a little caramel over the top, slightly pierced the center and poured a little caramel inside as well.

CHILLED LEMON SOUFFLES WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Lightly oil six 3/4-cup soufflé dishes or custard cups; set aside. Pour 1/4 cup water into small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over; let stand until gelatin softens, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk egg yolks and cornstarch in medium bowl until smooth. Combine milk and 3 tablespoons sugar in heavy medium saucepan; stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to simmer. Gradually whisk 1/3 of hot milk mixture into yolk mixture. Pour mixture back into remaining milk mixture in saucepan. Whisk constantly over medium-high heat until mixture boils and thickens, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and whisk 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat; whisk in lemon juice and lemon peel. Add gelatin mixture; stir until gelatin dissolves.
• Whisk egg whites and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl to blend. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water); whisk constantly until instant-read thermometer inserted into mixture registers 140°F, about 2 minutes. Transfer egg white mixture to large bowl of stand mixer and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold egg white mixture into warm lemon custard in 3 additions. Transfer mixture to medium bowl; let stand 10 minutes to cool slightly.
• Divide lemon custard among prepared soufflé dishes; level off tops with back of knife. Refrigerate soufflés uncovered overnight. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.).
• Run small knife around soufflés to loosen. Place small plate atop 1 soufflé and invert. Using both hands, hold plate and soufflé dish tightly together and shake gently, allowing soufflé to settle on plate (if soufflé does not release from dish, place bottom of soufflé dish in 1 inch of warm water for 20 seconds). Repeat with remaining soufflés. Spoon room-temperature Caramel Sauce generously over top of each soufflé and serve.

THE LOFTIEST SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush ramekins with butter and place on a foil-lined baking sheet; sprinkle ramekins with 2 tablespoons Parmesan (total). Chill for 20 minutes or, covered, up to 1 day.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; whisk constantly for 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in milk; increase heat and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Add remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan and 1/2 cup Gruyère; stir until melted. Add nutmeg and season with salt and pepper. Transfer béchamel to a medium bowl and cover with plastic wrap; set aside.
• Place egg whites in a large bowl. Stir in a pinch of salt and xanthan gum, if using. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites until firm but not stiff, 3-4 minutes.
• Stir egg yolks into béchamel. Gently stir in 1/4 of beaten egg whites to loosen béchamel base, then gently fold in remaining egg whites just to combine, taking care not to deflate.
• Divide mixture among ramekins; sprinkle with 1/2 cup Gruyère. Run your finger around inside lip of ramekins, cleaning edges. Bake until soufflés rise, centers are set, and cheese is golden brown, 18-22 minutes. Serve immediately.

BROWN SUGAR CARAMELS

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch-square baking pan with aluminum foil that extends over the sides. With a paper towel, coat the bottom and sides of the foil with 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil. Set aside.
• In a 3-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup, milk, butter, and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula until the mixture comes to a boil (5 to 8 minutes). Wash down the sides of the pan two times with a pastry brush dipped in warm water to prevent the sugar from crystallizing.
• Increase the heat to medium-high, place a candy thermometer in the pan, and cook the mixture until it registers 240°F on the thermometer (10 to 15 minutes), stirring constantly.
• Remove the pan from the heat and pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Let the caramel cool completely at room temperature (8 hours or overnight).
• With the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil, coat a cutting board and the blade of a large chef's knife. Remove the candy from the pan by lifting out the foil; invert the caramel onto the cutting board and peel the foil off the caramel. Cut the caramel evenly into 1-inch squares. In a tightly covered container, between sheets of waxed paper, or wrapped in waxed paper squares, the caramels will keep for 2 weeks at room temperature.
• VARIATION
• Add 1 cup roughly chopped, toasted nuts to the caramel mixture before pouring into the prepared pan.