Best Chocolate Soufflé Pancakes Recipes

FLUFFY JAPANESE SOUFFLé PANCAKES

Steps:

• Gather all the ingredients. You will also need a 12-inch non-stick frying pan (large enough to cook 3 pancakes at the same time) with a lid. It's also nice to have an infrared thermometer gun to check the temperature of the frying pan.
• Separate the egg whites and egg yolks into two different bowls. Put the bowl with the egg whites in the freezer for 15 minutes. Why do we partially freeze the egg whites? Please read 3 Tips to Make Perfect Meringue (Egg Whites) in this post.
• In the meantime, add the milk and vanilla to the egg yolks and whisk until thick and frothy.
• Sift the cake flour and baking powder into the bowl.
• Whisk to combine thoroughly (do not overmix) and set aside.
• After 15 minutes, take out the bowl with the egg whites from the freezer. The egg whites should be half frozen. Now, start beating the egg whites with a hand mixer (you can also use a stand mixer or balloon whisk).
• When the egg whites turn frothy and pale white, gradually add in the sugar (roughly one-third at a time). Continue to whip the egg whites.
• The egg whites will become glossy and firm. Stop beating when you lift up the hand mixer and the egg whites stand straight up but the tip of the peak curls over onto itself. This is called medium/firm peaks (not stiff peaks yet).
• Heat a large non-stick frying pan to 300ºF (150ºC) over the lowest heat. Brush with cooking oil and lightly remove any visible oil with a paper towel (otherwise the pancakes will have a spotty pattern). Keep the pan on low heat while you combine the egg whites and egg yolk mixture in the next step.
• Take one-third of the egg whites and add to the egg yolk mixture. Whisk together (don't worry too much about breaking air bubbles at this point).
• Next, take half of the remaining egg whites and add to the egg yolk mixture. Using a whisk, gently fold them in without breaking the air bubbles in the egg whites. Why do we use a whisk instead of a silicone spatula? Please read 3 Tips to Make Perfect Meringue (Egg Whites) in this post.
• Now, transfer the egg yolk mixture back into the remaining egg whites. Carefully fold the two mixtures together without breaking any air bubbles. Make sure to mix the batter very gently until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
• Keep your frying pan heated to 300 ºF (150 ºC) at all times over low heat. Remember, each pancake gets roughly 4 small scoops of batter, and you will be making three pancakes. For the first pancake, place one scoop of batter and make a tall mound in the frying pan, using a small ladle or a serving spoon (that's bigger than a regular spoon-probably 2-3 Tbsp). Next, stack one more scoop of batter onto the first scoop already in the pan. Repeat for the next two pancakes, giving each pancake two scoops of batter.
• By the time all three pancakes have two scoops, the surface of the batter is slightly dry already. At this point, you can mound one more scoop on top of each pancake, keeping the batter piled up high. In the bowl, you should still have roughly three scoops left (if you have slightly more, that's okay).
• Set the timer for 6-7 minutes, add 1 Tbsp water in three empty spaces inside the pan, and cover with a lid. The steam from the water keeps the pancakes moist while they cook. Please note: The suggested time is just a guideline; how long you will cook the pancakes is based on the temperature of your frying pan.
• After 2 minutes have passed, open the lid, and add one final scoop for each pancake (or more scoops if you have more batter). Make sure to stack the batter high, not wide. If the water has evaporated, add a little bit more. Cover with the lid and cook.
• After 6-7 minutes have passed, lift the pancake VERY GENTLY using an offset spatula. If the pancake is stuck, don't touch it until it firms up a little. If you force it, the pancake will crack in the middle. When the pancake is ready, you can easily move the pancake.
• Here is another set of images to show the process. Slightly pull the pancake to create an empty space and gently flip it over with a "rolling over" motion.
• Add more water to the empty spaces in the pan and set the timer for 4-5 minutes to cook the other side on the lowest heat setting.
• Once they are nicely browned, transfer the pancakes to your serving plates.
• Place the fresh whipped cream on the pancakes and top with the berries. Dust the pancake with confectioners' sugar and drizzle with maple syrup. Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE SOUFFLé

Steps:

• Prepare ramekins: Brush ramekin with butter to evenly coat the entire interior, from the bottom of the ramekin to the top of the rim. Add a few tablespoons of sugar to the ramekin, then spin the ramekin around to coat the bottom and the walls, pouring the excess into a mixing bowl. (The sugar coating provides a rough surface for the soufflé to adhere to as it bakes, allowing for a taller rise.) Repeat with other ramekins. Chill until ready to use.
• Preheat the oven to 375 F. Prepare a double boiler: Add enough water to a 1-quart saucepan to fill halfway, and bring to a simmer. Fit a heatproof glass bowl snugly on top of the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl isn't touching the surface of the water. Add chocolate to the bowl and allow it to melt, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together the milk and cornstarch. Pour mixture into a small saucepan over low heat and whisk; once the mixture is simmering, continue to whisk until thickened, about 1 minute. When the chocolate has melted, remove the bowl from the saucepan. Slowly add the milk-cornstarch mixture into the melted chocolate, whisking constantly, until it's thoroughly combined. Add egg yolks and whisk until thoroughly combined and shiny. Set aside.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add egg whites and a pinch of salt. Starting on low then coming up to medium speed, whip until soft peaks form; then continue whipping as you slowly add the sugar in a steady stream. Once medium peaks form, 1-2 minutes later, turn the motor off and remove whisk. Finish whisking by hand to form medium-stiff peaks. (This prevents the machine from over-whipping, which can cause the soufflé to fall.)
• Use a rubber spatula to stir ⅓ of the whipped whites into the chocolate mixture. Then very gently fold in the rest of the egg whites, being careful not to overmix; the goal is to make sure the egg whites retain their airiness. When the chocolate and egg whites are just mixed, fill each ramekin to the rim. Run the tip of your thumb around the inner rim of the ramekin to wipe off the butter and sugar from the top ¼ inch. This prevents the soufflé from sticking to the rim as it bakes, allowing it to rise straight up.Place ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then into the oven. Bake until the soufflés have risen about ½-1 inch above the rim, 7-9 minutes.
• When soufflés have fully risen, remove from oven. Dust with powdered sugar, if using. Shape quenelles of unsweetened whipped cream (optional): Pass about a tablespoon of whipped cream back and forth between two spoons, smoothing and shaping it until you have formed an egg-shaped dollop, or "quenelle." Make a small opening in the top of the soufflé and nestle the quenelle into the hole. Serve immediately. (Note: Soufflés will fall quickly as they cool, so work quickly once they are out of the oven!)

JAPANESE SOUFFLE PANCAKES

Steps:

• Separate the eggs, putting all 4 of the whites into a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer) and 2 of the yolks into a medium mixing bowl. Discard the remaining 2 yolks (or save them for another recipe).
• Add 1 tablespoon of the sugar, the vanilla, and the baking powder to the yolks and whisk to combine. Add the cake flour (or the cake flour and cocoa powder if making the chocolate version) and milk and whisk again to combine.
• Add the lemon juice (if using), salt, and cream of tartar to the egg whites in the other mixing bowl and use an electric mixer (or the stand mixer) fitted with a whisk attachment to whip the mixture until foamy, about 1 minute on medium speed. Continue whipping while you add the remaining 5 tablespoons of sugar. Once all of the sugar is incorporated, raise the speed to high and whip until to glossy and stiff peaks, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Scoop a cup or so of the egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture and then use a rubber spatula to gently fold the two mixtures together. Fold in the remaining egg white mixture in two batches, folding just until the two are combined.
• Heat a large, lidded nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Once the pan is hot, spray it with cooking oil spray or grease it with butter. Spray or butter the insides of the ring molds, as well, being careful to fully coat the insides of the molds.
• Place as many molds into the skillet as you can fit comfortably (I can fit 2 in my largest nonstick skillet, but you might be able to fit 3. I usually use a small skillet at the same time with 1 mold in it, but that requires a lot of coordination and timing. If this is your first time, you might want to stick to making 1 or 2 pancakes at a time.)
• Spoon the batter into the molds, filling them until almost, but not quite full. Cover the skillet and let cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the lid and carefully slide a thin spatula underneath one of the pancakes. Use a second spatula or your hand protected by a silicone oven mitt to assist as you flip the whole thing over to cook the second side. Flip all of the pancakes in the skillet(s). Don't worry if a bit of batter splatters out around the ring when you flip the pancakes. Replace the lid and cook for about 3 minutes more. When the pancakes are done, any batter that has seeped out around the edge of the ring will be nicely browned. Carefully slide the thin spatula underneat the pancake and ring again and lift the whole thing out of the pan and onto a plate. Carefully remove the ring (you may want to wait a couple of minutes to let it cool a bit). Repeat with the remaining pancakes and batter.
• Serve hot, sprinkled with powdered sugar.

JAPANESE SOUFFLé PANCAKES

Steps:

• Place egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer or a medium bowl; set aside. Place egg yolks in a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, the vanilla and baking powder to egg yolks and whisk until blended. Add flour and milk; whisk until fully combined.
• Add lemon juice and salt to egg whites. Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or a hand mixer, whip mixture on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Continue to whip over medium while gradually sprinkling with remaining 5 tablespoons granulated sugar. Turn speed to high and whip until stiff, glossy peaks form and mixture doubles in size, about 1 minute. Take care not to overbeat meringue.
• Heat a lidded nonstick skillet over the lowest heat setting and set the lid aside.
• Using a rubber spatula, scoop about 1/3 of meringue into egg yolk mixture and gently fold almost combined. Repeat with half the remaining meringue until almost combined, then fold in the remaining meringue just until no streaks remain.
• Carefully grease the warm skillet and the inside of four 3-inch-wide pastry rings (they should be at least 1 1/2 inches tall) using the butter. Check the heat of the pan by sprinkling a bit of water in it: Droplets should steam off the surface, but not dance or sputter. Place the greased pastry rings in the warm pan and ladle a scant 1/2 cup batter into each ring. Place lid on top of skillet and cook pancakes on very low heat until they start to rise and a few small bubbles start to form on top, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove lid, carefully slide a flat spatula underneath each pancake and position another spatula on top, then gently flip pancakes in their rings. Immediately replace lid and cook until pancakes are cooked through and spring back to the touch, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer cooked pancakes to a platter, grease the skillet and pastry rings and repeat to make 4 additional pancakes.
• Top pancakes with a pat of butter and drizzle with maple syrup; serve immediately. Serve with any combination of confectioners' sugar, whipped cream and berries, if desired.

SKILLET SOUFFLé PANCAKE

Steps:

• Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 325°F. Butter an 8" nonstick skillet, then sprinkle with 3 Tbsp. (38 g) granulated sugar. Pour out any excess sugar that doesn't stick to pan.
• Combine 4 large egg whites and remaining ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar in a medium heatproof bowl and set over a medium saucepan filled with 1" of barely simmering water (do not let bowl touch water). Heat, whisking constantly, until sugar is dissolved and an instant-read thermometer registers 140°F, about 5 minutes.
• Immediately remove bowl from saucepan and transfer egg white mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium speed until meringue is glossy and stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk ¼ cup (31 g) all-purpose flour, ½ tsp. baking powder, and ¼ tsp. kosher salt in a small bowl to combine. Whisk 2 large egg yolks, ½ cup whole milk, 1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest, and ½ tsp. vanilla extract in a large bowl. Sift in dry ingredients and whisk until batter is smooth.
• Using a rubber spatula, gently fold one quarter of meringue into batter to lighten. Fold in remaining meringue in 2 batches, taking care not to deflate batter. Gently transfer batter to prepared pan, and carefully smooth top with a small offset spatula.
• Bake pancake until doubled in volume and it springs back slightly when lightly pressed, 23-25 minutes (do not open the oven door during the first 20 minutes or the pancake may deflate).
• Remove pancake from oven and dust with powdered sugar. Serve immediately with fresh fruit.