Drop whatever you had planned for Christmas dessert. Forget about those cookies you were going to bake for gifts or the pie recipe you wanted to try. You need to try these amazing chocolate souffle cupcakes!
These flourless cupcakes weren’t only the best gluten-free cupcakes I’ve ever had, they were one of the top cupcakes I’ve ever had! Although they are flourless, these cakes are the opposite of dense. By whipping the egg whites and gently folding them into the batter, you’re left with a light and fluffy cake which has an incredibly decadent, rich chocolate flavor without being overly sweet.
I saw these cupcakes originally on Smitten Kitchen, where they were topped with a white chocolate mint cream. Instead, I made the simplest topping I’ve ever made for a cake (seriously, it’s only 2 ingredients), which was light, pepperminty and had just the perfect amount of sweetness. Crush some candy canes and mix them into freshly whipped cream and you’re done! The sugar in the candy canes sweetens the cream and gives it a fantastic peppermint flavor which is so much better than extract. Plus, it makes a fun pink color. Garnish with a miniature candy cane and you have a cute and festive dessert that is guaranteed to be a huge hit at your next holiday party.
Chocolate Soufflé Cupcakes with Peppermint Whipped Cream
Cupcakes adapted from Smitten Kitchen
Makes 8-10 cupcakes
Chocolate Soufflé Cupcakes
- 3 large eggs, separated
- 6 T sugar, divided
- 6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped
- 6 T unsalted butter, sliced
- 1/4 t salt
- 1 t vanilla extract
Peppermint Whipped Cream
- 3/4 C heavy whipping cream
- Crushed candy canes to taste (I recommend 8-10 tablespoons)
- Mini candy canes for garnish
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin pan with paper liners.
Beat egg yolks with 3 tablespoons of sugar until thick and pale yellow (around 2-3 minutes). The lighting in my kitchen is pretty horrible, hence the different colors above, but you get the idea.
Set up a double boiler over medium heat and melt the chocolate and butter together, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool. Add cooled chocolate mixture to the egg yolk mixture, whisking until combined. Mix in vanilla extract.
In another bowl with a clean whisk, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Add remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar and all of the salt and continue to beat until medium-firm peaks form, as you see above.
Take 1/3 of the egg whites and gently fold into the chocolate mixture. Fold in the remaining egg whites in 2 additions.
Fill lined muffin cups 3/4 full and bake 15-20 minutes, until tops are puffed and feel dry to the touch. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean with some moist crumbs. The tops will cave in as they cool, but don’t worry, you’re just going to cover that up anyway!
Once the cupcakes are cooled and ready to be served, prepare the peppermint whipped cream. Crush the candy canes in a food processor or by placing them in a plastic bag and beating them with a heavy object (good therapy!). Beat the whipping cream until it reaches the desired consistency, then mix in crushed candy canes. Spoon whipped cream onto each cupcake, garnish with a mini candy cane and serve immediately.
18 Comments on Peppermint Chocolate Souffle Cupcakes
1Pingbacks & Trackbacks on Peppermint Chocolate Souffle Cupcakes
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[…] intimidated me to try gluten-free baking again. Since then, I’ve made flourless cake and flourless cupcakes just to avoid gluten-free flours. It gets so complicated with all the different types of flours […]
Monet
December 22, 2010 at 1:08 pm (14 years ago)These look adorable. I love the little candy cane on top. What a precious treat. And I’m always looking for gluten free recipes for friends and family members. Thank you so much for sharing with me and your kind words on my blog. Happy Holidays!
TiffKey
December 22, 2010 at 2:43 pm (14 years ago)These look delicious! I love the pink frosting!
Stephanie
December 22, 2010 at 3:43 pm (14 years ago)@Monet – Thanks! Definitely a good recipe to file away for gluten free people. Happy Holidays!
@Tiffkey – Thanks! I love how festive it looks, and with minimal effort!
Felice
December 22, 2010 at 6:16 pm (14 years ago)You had me at chocolate souffle, but cupcakes = amazing!
The Cilantropist
December 22, 2010 at 10:05 pm (14 years ago)I love how light and easy your topping is, and they look beautiful! Hope your holiday is fantastic! 🙂
sweetlife
December 22, 2010 at 11:50 pm (14 years ago)oh souffle cupcakes..divine!! and your whipped topping is perfect for my mint onession lately!!
sweetlife
thanks for stopping by
happy holidays!
Tes
December 23, 2010 at 4:50 am (14 years ago)wow these cupcakes look so adorable and beautiful. I can’t wait to try this delicious. It sounds so perfect for the holiday 🙂
Eve Gotham
December 23, 2010 at 9:11 am (14 years ago)That’s great recipes and cupcakes. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Kori
December 24, 2010 at 6:04 am (14 years ago)These are adorable, and they sound delicious… What more could you ask for? 🙂 Merry Xmas to you!
Becky
December 24, 2010 at 8:45 am (14 years ago)Congratulations on the Top 9 today!! Your little cakes are adorable. They have two of my favorite flavors, and they are gluten free. Love the frosting, too.
Merry Christmas !!!
Shannon
December 24, 2010 at 2:54 pm (14 years ago)Wow! These are pretty delicious looking!!
serena @bigapplenosh
December 24, 2010 at 3:55 pm (14 years ago)I absolutely love the peppermint and chocolate combo – these look delicious! Congrats on making Top 9! 🙂
Stephanie
December 24, 2010 at 8:15 pm (14 years ago)Thanks everyone! It’s always an honor being in the Top 9. Happy holidays!
happycao
December 30, 2010 at 5:23 pm (14 years ago)Ooo I was looking for light and fluffy cupcakes, can’t wait to make these, but all I have right now is cocoa powder, can I substitute that for the chocolate?
Stephanie
December 30, 2010 at 9:38 pm (14 years ago)Happycao – I’m not sure how that would affect the cupcakes. It would have a lesser chocolate flavor at least, and it would probably affect the texture. If you give it a try, let me know how they turn out.
farida
January 2, 2011 at 12:27 am (14 years ago)great post and will be try, thanks
farida
http://kitchensuperfood.com
Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com}
January 4, 2011 at 9:57 am (14 years ago)they look so pretty and festive!