Vanilla Souffle

A French desert

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Heat the oven to 350 F.

Step 2

Gather the ingredients.

Step 3

Coat the Soufflé Dish

Step 4

Butter a large soufflé dish and sprinkle in 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, tilting the dish to make sure the entire interior surface is covered.

Step 5

Set aside the prepared soufflé dish.

Step 6

Make the Soufflé

Step 7

Bring 1 cup of the milk to just steaming in a medium saucepan set over low-medium heat.

Step 8

In a bowl, stir together 5 tablespoons of the granulated sugar, the all-purpose flour, and the remaining 1/3 cup milk until it forms a smooth batter.

Step 9

Slowly whisk half of the hot milk into the batter, making sure to combine the ingredients until they are completely smooth—this is called tempering.

Step 10

Add the tempered batter back to the hot milk in the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly. Stir and cook the mixture until it has thickened, about 1 minute.

Step 11

Stir the unsalted butter into the mixture until combined.

Step 12

Allow batter to cool at room temperature for 10 minutes, then stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 13

In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites on medium-high speed until they become foamy, and then add the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Continue beating the egg whites at high speed until they hold stiff, glossy peaks.

Step 14

Gently stir 1/3 of the egg whites into the vanilla mixture, then carefully fold in the remaining whipped egg whites. The vanilla mixture should be evenly colored and light and bubbly, without egg white streaks or marbling.

Step 15

Spoon the soufflé mixture into the prepared dish and allow it to rest, covered, for up to 30 minutes (or you can bake it right away).

Step 16

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes (slightly longer at high altitudes) until the soufflé has risen and has a crusty exterior.

Step 17

Serve the soufflé with a dusting of confectioners' sugar and a few plump berries, if desired. Enjoy.