INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLES (MAKE AHEAD)

Steps:

• Butter (8) 1 cup ramekins, then coat evenly with sugar.
• Shake out excess sugar and place in refrigerator until ready to use.
• Melt 4 tbsp butter and the chocolate in a double boiler.
• Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, salt, and creme de cacao.
• Set aside.
• In a small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup sugar and 2 tbsp water and bring to a boil.
• Remove from heat.
• In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks on medium speed, slowly drizzle in the sugar syrup.
• Continue to beat until yolks are thick and pale yellow (3-5 minutes).
• Fold egg yolks into the chocolate along with the orange zest.
• Using clean beaters, beat the egg whites in a metal bowl, medium speed, for 30 seconds.
• Add the cream of tartar, then gradually add 3 TBSP sugar.
• Beat until the whites hold a 2" peak and are glossy.
• Take 1/4 of the egg whites and energetically stir them into the chocolate mixture.
• Gently fold in the remainder of the whites until just incorporated.
• Fill each ramekin almost to the rim.
• Wipe any filling from the rim with a wet paper towel.
• Cover each ramekin with plastic wrap and freeze until firm: at least 3 hours / up to 2 days.
• Place oven rack in the middle, preheat oven to 400°F.
• Remove souffles directly from freezer, uncover, and bake until risen: 16-18 minutes.
• Do not thaw the souffle, as it will not rise properly.
• Be careful not to overbake it.