Ingredients
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate1/4 cup butter, cubed5 tablespoons all-purpose flour1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided1/4 teaspoon salt1 cup milk3 eggs, separated1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/4 teaspoon almond extractSAUCE:1 cup heavy whipping cream1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar1/4 teaspoon vanilla extractBaking cocoa or ground cinnamon, optional
Preparation
In a large heavy saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over low heat. In a small bowl, combine flour, 1/3 cup sugar and salt; add milk and stir until smooth. Stir into the melted chocolate. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat.
In a small bowl, beat egg yolks. Stir a small amount of filling into yolks, return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Add extracts. In a small bowl and with clean beaters, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar on high until stiff peaks form. With a spatula, stir a fourth of the egg whites into chocolate batter until no white streaks remain, then fold in remaining egg whites.
Grease the bottom of 1-1/2-qt. baking dish; add souffle batter. Place dish in a larger pan. Fill large pan with hot water to a depth of 1 in. Bake at 325° for 1 hour or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
For topping, beat the cream in a chilled small bowl until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla; beat until soft peaks form. Serve souffle warm with a dollop of sauce. Sprinkle with cocoa or cinnamon if desired.
