I don’t watch much Food Network anymore. Somewhere along the way, it has lost its appeal to me. A few weeks ago, I accidentally watched Giada (in my defense, she does come on after Paula) and she made these wonderful-looking chocolate souffles. Not only are they chocolate, they also have one of my favorite things – Frangelico, a hazelnut flavored liqueur. The combination of chocolate and hazelnut is what makes these chocolate souffles giandua (or gianduia, gianduja, etc.) souffles.
There is nothing difficult about this recipe, but it certainly requires patience. While I don’t possess much in that area, I am glad I stuck it out to finish these. So, if you can take several minutes of sustained whisking, then don’t hesitate to jump in and make these.
I do have a few comments about the recipe. My whisking time was longer than what was estimated. After the allotted times, I didn’t have the consistency described. I stuck with it, though, and I did get what I was after. Also, I made eight souffles instead of six, although I think my ramekins were smaller than six ounces.
I did make these in advance and kept them covered in the fridge until time to bake them. This is a great do-ahead recipe. I put them in the oven after getting back from a dinner out. By the time we were ready to eat dessert, we had these beautiful hot souffles ready for us.
This being my first souffle experience, I was a bit apprehensive. I was so afraid that they would collapse and look like a mess. However, they couldn’t have turned out better. I came very close to substituting a darker chocolate for the milk chocolate, but I’m glad I didn’t. Something about the sweetness of that chocolate combined with the lightness of the souffle works very well. Plus, that gooey hazelnut-flavored chocolate in the center just makes these extra good.
Chocolate + hazelnut on BoB:
- Hazelnut Mini Cheesecakes
- Gianduja Mousse
- Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Bread Pudding
- Nutella Oatmeal Cookies
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January 21st, 2008 at 2:23 am
Wow, the souffles look fantastic! Pretty impressive for your first go at souffles.
January 21st, 2008 at 3:58 am
oh my.
January 21st, 2008 at 6:31 am
Oh now that is my dream come true! I love souffles and I love chocolate! Simply irresistible!
January 21st, 2008 at 7:42 am
Hee, I love the empty ramekin. They look wonderful. I’m glad to know that I can make these ahead of time. I think I’ll give them a try if I can find my ramekins!
January 21st, 2008 at 9:33 am
You do a great job of photographing molten chocolate without making it look like tar. Is there a lighting trick you’d be willing to share, or does that talent come exclusively with experience?
January 21st, 2008 at 10:27 am
Thanks, Chuck! I was pretty proud of myself.
a. grace, that just about sums it up. In fact, that could have been my entire post.
Thanks, Meeta! These are great for chocolate lovers, especially those with a fondness for milk chocolate.
Alicia, I hope you like the souffles! That empty ramekin shot was Quinn’s idea. Cute, huh?
Thanks, Jessica. Getting that shot was about 85% luck. There were 19 shots taken like that, but this is the one that turned out okay. Besides luck, diffuse light from above and to the right bouncing off a bright white reflector (cut from a cheap project board from a hobby shop) did the trick.
January 21st, 2008 at 1:10 pm
What a beautiful picture! I do a lot of cooking, but, I have never made a souffle, no less a chocolate one. The next time I have a special dinner I’m going to make this. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
January 21st, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I have never made a chocolate souffle, either. I like the idea of being able to keep in the refrigerator & bake later—works great for us single-serving-needs people!
January 21st, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Wonderful! These were absolutely wonderful! Thanks for making these for us to have after our outing for dinner Saturday night. We would never have found anything this good on a restaurant menu I assure you! This one is a keeper. Believe it or not, they warmed up well yesterday. Jim enjoyed the one you sent home with us last night.
These are really light and were perfect for dessert on a cold night.
January 21st, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Thanks, Charles! Do let me know how you like them.
JEP, being able to make these ahead was a big selling point for me. I made these for us & company, then the next night I baked the remaining two for us.
Nan, good to know that they re-heat well.
January 21st, 2008 at 5:55 pm
These would make a perfect Valentine’s Day dessert!
January 21st, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I want it I want it!
January 21st, 2008 at 9:06 pm
This looks so good. I haven’t even finished eating the mascarpone brownies I made yesterday and now I’m going to have to add this one to my to do list of your oh so dangerously delicious recipes.
And I just bought some ramekins recently and was going to start looking for a recipe, so this is perfect! Thanks.
January 21st, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Inspiring. Souffles are something I want to make this year. Hope they come out looking beautiful like yours did.
January 21st, 2008 at 11:26 pm
JEP, I agree.
Cindy, I would share if I could!
Bakerella, I hope you liked the brownies! Have fun making the souffles.
Thanks, Gretchen! I’m sure your souffles will be beautiful.
January 21st, 2008 at 11:26 pm
What a brave endeavor. I have yet to try a souffle. someday. love the “after” photo.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:49 am
Jen, just get in there and try it. I was a bit intimidated, but there was honestly nothing hard about this. It took a while, but that’s all. Thanks for the compliment!
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:09 am
You could never tell that was a first attempt, they look delicious!
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I read your heading to hastily and thought it read Guanciale Souffle! That would be interesting–but I’m sure Giandua Souffles are tastier!!
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Thanks, Brilynn! Either I got very lucky, or the recipe was really simple.
Clumsy, now that would be an interesting souffle. I do love guanciale, though.
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:24 pm
How perfect! I was just craving a chocolate souffle! You seem to be in tune with my cravings…
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:31 am
This sounds simply wonderful–a combination of so many great things. And I cannot believe this was a first try!
January 23rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
Thanks, Alejandra and Cakespy!
January 25th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Your pictures are stunning! I’m now dying to taste your chocolate souffle alalalalala
January 25th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Thanks, Babeth!
January 26th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
I’m totally craving chocolate tonight and this image practically makes me want to lick the computer screen. Maybe I better go bake some cookies…
February 4th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
wow.. i don’t usually like hazelnut, but this looks crazy good.. hahaha. i love the pic of the empty ramekin at the end.
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:34 am
Thanks for posting this recipe! Yours look absolutely beautiful! After a quick reading through the recipe, I think this is a pretty interesting way of making souffle!
Like you, I have no interest in watching Food Network! Actually, I have stopped almost completely! I hope the producer(s) do something about it quickly!
February 26th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
I agree with you guys not watching the food network. It’s becoming less of a how to cooking channel to just reality shows and games.