This traditionally made egg souffle is flavored with sharp cheddar cheese and fresh chives for a delicious flavor. It’s a showstopper that’s wonderful at any dinner.

Cheddar Cheese Souffle in White Ramekins

A lot of people don’t like to make souffles because they have a reputation for being difficult, and your success is supposed to depend on whether or not the souffle falls.

But I’ll go ahead and say it: souffles are not difficult to make at all, and news flash (!) your souffle IS going to fall some, end of story, in no more than 5 or 10 minutes.

There is no need to feel like you have failed (even if it falls it still tastes good)!  Here is why they fall: souffles get their rise from the little bubbles of air that you whip into your egg whites.  In the hot oven, those bubbles expand and lift the souffle, and when you take them out of the oven, those bubbles will contract as they cool, end of story (so the whole thing falls a little bit).   So just make you serve them immediately or have everyone huddle around the oven to enjoy their dramatic exit out of the oven.

Start by melting butter in a pan and cook until it stops sputtering (the water has cooked out).  Whisk in flour and a pinch of salt.

Stirring Souffle Base with Rainbow Whisk

Whisk in milk to make a sauce.

Thickened Souffle Base in Pan with Rainbow Whisk

Put together the souffle mixture by whisking egg yolks, cheddar cheese, the roux, and herbs together.

Whisked Egg and Herbs for Souffle Base

In a very clean bowl, whip egg whites and cream of tartar together with a hand mixer, until you get stiff peaks.

Egg Whites with Stiff Peaks on Metal Beaters

Fold the stiff egg whites into the egg yolk cheese base to lighten it, then portion into ramekins and bake!

Cheddar Cheese Souffle in White Ramekins

Cheddar Chive Soufflés

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
This traditionally made egg souffle is flavored with sharp cheddar cheese and fresh chives for a delicious flavor. It's a showstopper that's wonderful at any dinner.
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Ingredients

  • butter for greasing the ramekins I use old butter wrappers for this
  • 2 tbsp grated parmigiano reggiano
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 1.25 cups hot milk
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 6 oz sharp cheddar grated
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • 2 tbsp chopped chives
  • 5 egg whites mixed with 1 tbsp water
  • 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
  • salt and pepper

Instructions 

  • Grease the bottom and sides of your ramekin(s) and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Pop into the freezer for at least 5 minutes so the parmesan cheese sticks.
  • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
  • In a small saucepan, melt the butter and cook until it stops sputtering (the water has cooked out). Whisk in the flour and a pinch of salt and cook for 2 minutes over medium. While constantly whisking, slowly pour in the milk, and turn the heat to high. Keep whisking, and once the mixture starts to boil, take the pan off the heat.
  • In a big bowl, whisk together the egg yolks until smooth. Temper the eggs into the mixture by first pouring some of the hot sauce into the eggs (while constantly whisking), then pouring the eggs into the saucepan (whisk, whisk, whisk)! Whisk in the cheddar, mustard, chives, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • In a very clean bowl, whip the egg whites and cream of tartar together with a hand mixer, until you get stiff peaks. Stir in 1/4 of the stiff egg whites into the egg yolk cheese base to lighten it, then fold the rest in via 3 installments, until the mixture is nice and light. Be gentle so you don’t deflate the egg whites.
  • Portion the souffle mixture into your ramekins, and fill them up to the top. Place on a sheet pan and bake for 25 minutes if you are using the small ramekins, and 35 minutes if you are doing the big one. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 137kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 75mg, Sodium: 160mg, Sugar: 1g

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Brunch
Cuisine: French
Author: Fifteen Spatulas