Chocolate Soufflé Pudding - By Anneka Manning

Ingredients

"I have been baking this gluten-free pudding for years. Not only is it completely heavenly, it is also very clever and can be baked as a cake when you want." - Anneka Manning.

Melted butter, to grease
Unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted, to dust
200g (1 1/3 cups) chopped good-quality dark chocolate (70 per cent cocoa is good)
125g unsalted butter, cubed
2 Tbs Marsala wine or freshly brewed strong coffee
165g (3/4 cup) caster (superfine) sugar
5 eggs, at room temperature, separated
Icing (confectioners') sugar, to dust
Cream or vanilla ice cream, to serve

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 170 C (325 F) or 150 C (300 F) fan-forced. Brush a 2 litre capacity ovenproof dish (about 20cm/8 in diameter) with melted butter to grease. Lightly dust with cocoa powder, tapping out any excess.

Place the chocolate and butter in a medium heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, making sure the base of the bowl doesn’t touch the water, and stir until melted and smooth. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and stir in the marsala, 110g (1/2 cup) of the caster sugar and the egg yolks.

Use an electric mixer with a whisk attachment to whisk the egg whites in a clean, dry large bowl on medium speed until soft peaks form. Add the remaining 55g caster sugar and whisk until thick and glossy. Add one-third of the egg white mixture to the chocolate mixture and use a large metal spoon or spatula to fold together. Fold through the remaining egg white mixture until just combined.

Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. Bake in the pre-heated oven for 55–60 minutes, or until crumbs cling to a skewer inserted in the centre.

Remove the pudding from the oven and set aside for 5 minutes. Dust with icing sugar and serve in scoops with cream or ice cream.

Baker’s tips:

This pudding is also delicious served at room temperature. Leave to cool in the dish before serving.

Any leftover pudding will keep covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Leave to stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Variation:

Chocolate Soufflé Cake – Bake the mixture in a 22cm (81/2 in, base measurement) spring-form cake tin that has been base-lined with baking paper, and then greased and dusted with unsweetened cocoa powder.

Bake at the same temperature for 55–60 minutes. Leave the cake to cool in the tin. Cut into wedges to serve.

Credits: Recipes and Images from BakeClass by Anneka Manning (Murdoch Books).

Photo Credits: Recipes and Images from BakeClass by Anneka Manning (Murdoch Books).