One-Hour Chocolate Soufflé with Dark Chocolate

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

An elegant yet simple chocolate soufflé with rich dark chocolate and airy egg whites, ready in one hour. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 38 minutes layers unsalted butter, granulated sugar, dark chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 18 min Serves 4 French cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter four 6-ounce ramekins with 2 tbsp unsalted butter and sprinkle 2 tbsp granulated sugar evenly inside each, tapping out excess.
  2. Step 2: In a heatproof bowl over simmering water, melt 4 oz chopped dark chocolate with 2 tbsp butter, stirring until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
  3. Step 3: Whisk 4 large egg yolks into the melted chocolate mixture until fully combined.
  4. Step 4: In a clean bowl, beat 4 large egg whites with 1/8 tsp salt using an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.
  5. Step 5: Gently fold one-third of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it, then carefully fold in the remaining whites until just combined.
  6. Step 6: Divide the batter evenly into the prepared ramekins, filling them about 3/4 full.
  7. Step 7: Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes, until soufflés have risen and the tops are set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
  8. Step 8: Serve immediately for best texture and height.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Hour Chocolate Soufflé with Dark Chocolate take to make?

Total time is about 38 minutes (20 min prep + 18 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover One-Hour Chocolate Soufflé with Dark Chocolate?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Hour Chocolate Soufflé with Dark Chocolate?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale One-Hour Chocolate Soufflé with Dark Chocolate for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with One-Hour Chocolate Soufflé with Dark Chocolate?

French desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.