Apple & Cheddar Cheese Soufflés – Great for People Who Stink at Folding Egg Whites

After doing such a great job folding the egg whites into this apple and cheddar soufflé batter, I celebrated by dropping a measuring cup into the bowl. By the time I fished it out, cleaned the sides of the bowl, and shook my fist at the heavens, I'd lost a lot of micro-bubbles.

I pressed on, and despite my tragic encounter with gravity, the resulting soufflés were simply fabulous, which just goes to show that maybe we need to relax about this whole folding thing. Sure, more bubbles would make it go a little higher, but if you've never made a soufflé before, I hope this gives you some new-found courage.

By the way, I don't know why most similar recipes call for extra egg whites. Actually, I do know; it's to make them more visually impressive, but I think this dilutes the flavor. I use about half the egg whites normally called for, and these are still light as a feather.

If you decide to give these a whirl, please promise me you'll use a great cheddar. I used a sharp and creamy Cabot, but any other quality, aged cheddar will work. These apple cheddar soufflés are very versatile, and would make a great appetizer, a special holiday brunch starter, or deliciously different dessert. I hope you give them a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 4 (I used Le Creuset 4 3/4-ounce size):

For the apples: 1 tbsp butter, heated until edges start to turn brown 1 apple, cubed 1 tbsp sugar

For the batter: 2 tbsp flour 2 tbsp butter 1 cup milk 1/2 tsp salt pinch freshly ground black pepper pinch cayenne

pinch nutmeg 3 oz sharp white cheddar, or almost 1 cup grated 2 eggs, separated

Bake at 400 degrees F. for about 22 minutes

*Assuming you don't drop a measuring cup into your folded egg white fluffed batter, you should have about 2 cups of batter. You can divide each 1/2 cup portion into whatever sized ramekin you have, but a 4 3/4 to 5 oz size is ideal. Basically, when it's fully puffed and browned, it's done. And for goodness sake, serve very warm, but not piping hot!

Ingredients for 4  (I used Le Creuset 4 3/4-ounce size):

• For the apples:
• 1 tbsp butter, heated until edges start to turn brown
• 1 apple, cubed
• 1 tbsp sugar
• For the batter:
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• pinch freshly ground black pepper
• pinch cayenne
• pinch nutmeg
• 3 oz sharp white cheddar, or almost 1 cup grated
• 2 eggs, separated
• Bake at 400 degrees F.  for about 22 minutes
• *Assuming you don’t drop a measuring cup into your folded egg white fluffed batter, you should have about 2 cups of batter. You can divide each 1/2 cup portion into whatever sized ramekin you have, but a 4 3/4 to 5 oz size is ideal. Basically, when it’s fully puffed and browned, it’s done. And for goodness sake, serve very warm, but not piping hot!