Soufflé au Grand Marnier
An exquisite, light-as-air French dessert soufflé infused with the warm citrus notes of Grand Marnier. This elegant dish is a showstopper, perfect for a sophisticated finale to any meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 6 Egg whites(Ensure they are at room temperature for best volume.)
- 100 g Granulated sugar(Divided: 50g for the pastry cream, 50g for the egg whites.)
- 200 g Pastry cream (crème pâtissière)(Chilled. Can be homemade or good quality store-bought.)
- 60 ml Grand Marnier(A high-quality orange liqueur.)
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter(Softened, for greasing the ramekins.)
- 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar(For coating the buttered ramekins.)
- 1 medium orange Orange zest(Finely grated, from about 1 tablespoon of zest.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the ramekins: Generously brush the inside of four 6-ounce (170ml) ramekins with softened butter, ensuring complete coverage. Sprinkle about half a tablespoon of granulated sugar into each ramekin and rotate to coat the buttered surfaces evenly. Tap out any excess sugar. Place the prepared ramekins on a baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes to firm up the butter.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Prepare the soufflé base: In a medium bowl, combine the chilled pastry cream, Grand Marnier, and finely grated orange zest. Stir gently until well incorporated and smooth. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Whip the egg whites: In a clean, dry bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), beat the egg whites on medium speed until frothy. Gradually add the remaining 50g of granulated sugar, a tablespoon at a time, while increasing the speed to high. Continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form. The peaks should hold their shape and not droop when the whisk is lifted.
⏱️ 8 minutes - 4
Combine the base and whites: Gently fold about one-third of the whipped egg whites into the pastry cream mixture to lighten it. Then, carefully fold the lightened mixture back into the remaining egg whites in the mixer bowl. Use a spatula and a gentle folding motion, cutting down through the center and bringing the batter up around the sides, until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this will deflate the egg whites.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Fill and bake: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Carefully spoon the soufflé mixture into the prepared ramekins, filling them almost to the top. Run your thumb around the inside rim of each ramekin to create a small channel, which helps the soufflé rise evenly. Place the baking sheet with the filled ramekins directly into the preheated oven.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 6
Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the soufflés are well-risen, puffed, and golden brown on top. Avoid opening the oven door during the first 10-12 minutes of baking. The soufflés should feel set but still have a slight wobble in the center.
⏱️ 15-18 minutes - 7
Serve immediately: Once baked, carefully remove the soufflés from the oven and serve them at once. They will begin to deflate shortly after coming out of the heat.
⏱️ 1 minute
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Serve immediately: Soufflés are notoriously ephemeral and will start to deflate within minutes of leaving the oven. Have your guests ready!
- ✓Hot oven is key: Ensure your oven is fully preheated to the correct temperature before placing the soufflés inside. A consistent, high heat is crucial for maximum rise.
- ✓Cleanliness for volume: Make sure your bowl and whisk are impeccably clean and free of any grease or egg yolk when whipping egg whites. This ensures maximum volume.
- ✓Gentle folding: The key to a light soufflé is preserving the air incorporated into the egg whites. Fold gently and deliberately.
- ✓Dramatic presentation: Serve directly from the oven, perhaps with a dusting of powdered sugar or a light drizzle of crème anglaise.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Chocolate Grand Marnier Soufflé: Melt 50g of good quality dark chocolate and fold it into the pastry cream base before adding the Grand Marnier and zest.
- Raspberry Grand Marnier Soufflé: Fold 50g of raspberry purée (strained to remove seeds) into the pastry cream base before adding the Grand Marnier and zest. You can also add a few fresh raspberries to the bottom of each ramekin before filling.