Best chocolate dessert: Souffle or lava cake?

Both desserts are a real highlight, but they differ greatly in their preparation and in the end result.

Soufflé: French elegance

Soufflé is famous for its unique fluffy texture, which is achieved by beating the egg whites precisely and mixing the mixture carefully. It is a dessert that is a work of art in itself, as it requires precision and expertise in preparation. When properly prepared, the soufflé wins with a light, foamy interior that rises above the rim of the dish.

Key characteristics of soufflé:

1. Texture:

Soufflé boasts an airy, fluffy texture achieved by beating the egg whites precisely. During baking, the mass rises, creating a slightly cloudy interior.

2. Preparation:

The preparation of the soufflé requires whisking the egg whites carefully and stirring carefully to maintain the airiness of the mixture. Bake at a high temperature, usually between 200 and 220 °C, to ensure that the dessert rises quickly.

3. Serving:
Soufflés are best served immediately after baking, as they set quickly. It can be decorated with sugar sprinkles, fresh fruit or toppings, which add to its light texture.

Types of soufflés:

• Chocolate Soufflé: A rich and intense chocolate version that will delight chocolate lovers with its fluffy texture.
• Vanilla Soufflé: A delicate and fragrant version that uses vanilla extract for a light and fresh taste.
• Fruit Soufflé: A refreshing version with different types of fruit, ideal for the summer months.
• Savoury Soufflé: A version with the addition of cheese, spinach or mushrooms, suitable as an appetizer or main course.

Make BAM Recipes:

• RECEPT: BAM chocolate soufflé
• RECEPT: Souffles like fluffy souffle pancakes?

Lava Cake.

The Lava Cake presents a completely different approach to chocolate desserts, focusing on the contrast between the solid outer layer and the liquid centre. This dessert, also known as ''chocolate lava cake'', offers a unique taste experience with its rich chocolate centre that oozes out when cut.

Key features of the lava cake:

1. Texture:

The lava cake has a solid outer layer while the inside remains liquid. When the cake is cut, the chocolate centre pours out from the centre, creating a surprising effect.

2. Preparation:

The preparation of the lava cake is slightly simpler compared to the soufflé. The dough must be prepared in such a way that the outside remains firm while the centre remains liquid. It is baked for a short time at a lower temperature, usually around 180 °C.

3. Serving:
Lava cake can be served warm or cold and is often topped with vanilla ice cream or fruit topping to bring out the chocolate flavour.

Comparison: Soufflé vs. lava cake

1. Texture:

• Soufflé: It has a fluffy, cloudy texture that rises during baking and quickly collapses when cooled.
• Lava cake: Offers a firm outer layer with a soft, runny centre that pours out when cut.

2. Preparation:

• Soufflé: Requires whisking the egg whites and mixing carefully, bake at high temperature to achieve a light texture.
• Lava cake: Preparation is simpler, concentrating on maintaining a runny centre. Bake for a shorter time at a lower temperature.

3. Serving:

• Soufflé: Serve immediately after baking as it will set quickly. It can be garnished with a variety of garnishes.
• Lava cake: Can be served warm or cold, often with the addition of ice cream or fruit.

Always a perfect, stress-free result

If you want to make the perfect chocolate soufflé but don''t have much time or experience, the BAM chocolate soufflé mix is the perfect choice. This mix provides a fluffy, light and airy base for your chocolate dessert. It''s quick and easy to prepare and the results are always stunning.

Ingredients:

• BAM Chocolate Soufflé Mix (250 g)
• 3 large eggs
• 115 g BAM dark chocolate

Preparation:

Step 1:
Mix the mixture well with the eggs.

Step 2:
Melt the dark chocolate over a pan of water and add it to the egg mixture. Stir well.

Step 3:
Place the mixture in the fridge for 15 minutes, then pour it into the greased moulds when chilled (80-95 g of mixture per mould).

Step 4:
Bake at 200-220 °C for 10-15 minutes. Adjust the baking time according to the amount of mixture in the moulds and the desired centre.

Step 5:
Remove the chocolate soufflés from the moulds and serve while still warm.

BAM Tips:

• You can enrich the mixture with BAM vanilla paste for extra flavour.
• Garnish the baked chocolate soufflé with fresh fruit, sugar sprinkles or BAM toppings, or add a teaspoon of any BAM spread and a scoop of ice cream.
• Soufflé is the perfect choice for special occasions such as Valentine''s Day, Mother''s Day, birthdays or wedding anniversaries. It''s also a great treat to wow your guests.

When you compare soufflé and lava cake, you realise that they are two different approaches to chocolate desserts. Soufflé presents a real challenge with its fluffy texture that requires precision and skill in preparation, while lava cake offers a simpler but equally satisfying way to enjoy chocolate with its surprising liquid centre. Soufflé and lava cake are both exceptional in their own way, each with its own unique story and flavour.