{Soufflé Au Fromage} Classic Gruyere Cheese Soufflé Recipe
A doable recipe for a sweet, salty, eggy cheese soufflé and all the tips to help you make it a success! Say with me in French, {Soufflé Au Fromage} Classic Gruyere Cheese Soufflé recipe! It's a oui for me!
3tablespoonsunsalted butterplus more to coat the baking dish
3tablespoonsfinely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeseplus more for coating the baking dish
1cupwhole milkor half-and-half
4fresh thyme sprigsor parsley or marjoram (optional)
1/2mediumshallot or 2 garlic cloves (optional)
4black peppercorns(optional)
1bay leaf(optional)
3tablespoonsall-purpose flouror gluten free all purpose flour
4egg yolksroom temperature
6egg whitescold
1/2teaspooncream of tartar(optional)
4ouncesshredded Gruyere, aged Cheddar, or aged Goudaor Comté cheese
Instructions
Prepare The Soufflé Dish: Heat oven to 400°F, arrange rack in lower third, and place a rimmed baking sheet on the rack. Generously coat a 1.5 quart soufflé dish or 6-cup baking dish with butter. Add a spoonful of the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (above and beyond the measured amount), rotate the dish to fully coat the inside with flour, then turn over and tap to get rid of any excess. Place the soufflé dish in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Make The Soufflé Base: Place the milk and 1 teaspoon of the salt in a small saucepan and add in any flavorings you'd like (such as a few sprigs of thyme, marjoram or parsley, a grating of nutmeg, a bay leaf, a few garlic cloves or shallots, or even a few peppercorns). Heat over medium-high until it just comes to a boil, about 5 minutes, then set aside.Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once it foams, sift the flour over the butter and whisk it in and cook until the raw flour taste is gone, about 2 minutes. While continuously whisking, slowly pour the milk or half-and-half in a constant stream. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the mixture is as thick as Greek yogurt and pulling away from the sides, about 3 minutes.Remove from the heat and stir in the measured cheeses and stir until all the cheese is melted. Add the egg yolks one and a time and whisk until smooth. Set aside to cool while you whisk the egg whites.Place egg whites in the impeccably clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cream of tartar, if using, then increase the speed to high and beat until peaks are stiff but not dry, about 1 minute more. Add 1/3 of the whites into the cheese mixture until blended and no white streaks are visible. Add remaining whites and gently fold until thoroughly combined.
Bake The Soufflé: Immediately turn the mixture into the prepared dish and, if desired, use an offset spatula to even out the top of the soufflé. Place the soufflé on the heated rimmed baking sheet and bake until it is well risen, the top is browned, the edges appear dry, and the center is just set (it will just a bit), will lightly jiggle (like J-ELLO), about 30 minutes if you want it slightly custard-y or more like 35 minutes to have it fully set.Serve immediately along with a vinegar-y salad and crusty bread.