Chocolate Peanut Butter Souffle



I had my first taste of a Reese’s peanut butter cup when I moved to the U.S. at the tender age of nine, and I’ve always thought of them as such a classic American treat. Growing up in India, the options for peanut butter and chocolate together were a bit limited – and judging by the super-sized bags of Reese’s my cousins request each year, that hasn’t changed.

Although I couldn’t (and still can’t) get into the whole peanut butter and jelly combo, I do love peanut butter smeared on toast with apples and bananas. I love it in moose tracks ice cream, mixed with Nutella, and of course, classically combined with milk chocolate.

I wanted to make a more unique chocolate-peanut butter dessert than what’s been done already, and I wondered what would happen if I simply replaced the butter in a recipe with peanut butter. Turns out, it’s magical.

I chose to make a soufflé since I’d only ever made a savory breakfast soufflé before. The results were light and airy (almost melt-in-your-mouth) with a strong hint of peanut butter. The chocolate was more of an undertone, even though there were six whole ounces in there! We loved this drizzled with some simple chocolate ganache for a richer flavor. 

I chose to adapt a souffle recipe from my Max Brenner's Cookbook. I recently went to Max Brenner's with friends in NYC and it was delicious. I loved the chocolate theme everywhere; pipes of chocolate, chocolate fountains, and giant blocks of chocolate as decoration! Four of us shared a fondue tasting (meant for two) and it was amazing, complete with a mini burner for roasting marshmallows :D

For photography purposes, I went easy on the sauce, but I assure you: Off-camera, I slathered it up!

I also didn’t let my soufflés rise too much, because I wanted the inside to remain slightly soft and gooey. Feel free to bake 3 minutes longer for more cooked insides.

*Fun Fact: Dr. Ambrose Straub patented the first peanut-butter-making machine in St Louis in 1903!



Chocolate Peanut Butter Soufflé
Adapted from Chocolate: A Love Story
Makes 4 to 6 soufflés

3 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
10 oz. milk chocolate chips (or dark, if you prefer), divided
4 eggs, separated
¼ cup granulated sugar
4 oz. heavy whipping cream



• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Grease the ramekins with butter or nonstick spray.
• Melt the peanut butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Once melted, add the flour, stirring till it comes together to a low boil.
• Stir in the milk until the mixture is combined and thickened slightly.
• Remove from heat and add in 6 ounces of chocolate chips.
• Let the mixture sit for 1 minute and then stir with a spatula until well combined.
• Beat the egg whites and the sugar in a clean bowl until stiff, glossy peaks form.
• Stir the 4 egg yolks into the chocolate mixture.
• Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture in two portions until just combined.
• Pour evenly into the ramekins and place the ramekins on the baking sheet.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges are crisp and risen (15 to 20 minutes for a larger ramekin or 1 large dish). Bake for a few minutes longer if you like the insides more fully cooked.
• Serve warm or at room temperature, with chocolate ganache and/or whipped cream.
• To make the ganache: Bring the cream to a boil in a saucepan and pour over 4 ounces of chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl.
• Let sit for about 1 minute and then stir with a spatula until combined.
• Let cool in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour before using.




Comments

  1. Oh my, oh my, oh my ... I am salivating over this post! Chocolate and peanut butter are one my all-time favorite flavor combinations, and this souffle sounds absolutely perfect!

    I can't wait to try this recipe ... and since I've never made a souffle, I can finally check that off my kitchen bucket list!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the idea of replacing peanut butter with butter - this souffle look lovely!

    ReplyDelete

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