Fearrington House Country Inn Chocolate Soufflé with Hot Chocolate Sauce

A decadent chocolate dessert by James Beard nominated chef, Colin Bedford of Fearrington House Country Inn, Pittsboro, NC

Fearrington Inn's signature dessert.
Fearrington Inn’s signature dessert.

Chocolate Soufflé with Hot Chocolate Sauce and Whipped Cream

Recipe courtesy of Fearrington House Inn Executive Chef, Colin Bedford, a Grand Chef in the Relais & Chateaux family of premier hotels.

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 6 tablespoons sugar
  • pinch of salt (1/8 teaspoon)
  • 8 ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 12 egg whites
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 recipe of Chocolate Soufflé sauce
  • 1/2 pint heavy cream, whipped and sweetened

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Melt butter, add flour, and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Heat milk and add it all at once, whisking rapidly. Add sugar, vanilla, and salt.

Melt chocolate over the lowest setting possible, cool slightly, and blend with the milk mixture.

Beat egg whites until they are foamy. Add cream of tartar and continue beating until they hold stiff peaks. Fold the whites into the chocolate mixture.

Butter six 8-ounce ramekins and fill each 2/3 full with the souffle mixture. Bake at 400 degrees  for 8-10 minutes. Dust the tops of the soufflé with confectioners’ sugar. Serve immediately with a small pinch of the chocolate soufflé sauce and whipped cream.

If the base of the soufflé should curdle after blending it with the milk, beat in warm half-and-half by the tablespoon until the mixture becomes smooth.

Makes 6 portions

Hot Chocolate Sauce

  • 2oz 100% Chocolate (@4 tablespoons)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2.5 oz sugar (5 tablespoons)

Bring the cream to a simmer, add the rest of the ingredients using a hand blender to help incorporate fully. Reserve in a container and refrigerate until ready to use.

Serve hot and in a small pitcher on the side of the soufflé.

The restaurant actually presents the soufflé on a plate, uses a spoon to cut a round opening into the center, and then pours the hot chocolate over the top. Whipped cream topping after the sauce, table side, impressive presentation.

Colin Bedford, The executive Chef for Fearrington House Country Inn. He is a James Beard nominated chef.
Colin Bedford,  Executive Chef for Fearrington House Country Inn. He is a James Beard nominated chef. He is also a genius for sending out a “pre dessert” before dessert.

I don’t want to give away all the surprises at this resort, but they did send out a special “pre dessert” when I ordered this. Sheer genius.

The sommelier, Maximilian Kast, expertly paired my dessert with a 20 year-old Ferreira tawny port.

It’s healthy to share! Cheers!!!

Author: Enlightened Spa Review

I am a wife, a mother, and a modern Buddhist living in New Orleans. I have been a blogger and freelance writer for nine years. It is my practice to abiding in happiness everyday, regardless of circumstances. It is my intention to use my meditation practice in all my activities for the benefit of myself and others. I would like to share my love for people and their inspiration in my life, with you. I will not settle for anything ordinary, and neither should you.

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