Sweet Potato Soufflé Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my sweet potato souffle runny? ›

Roasting sweet potatoes in the oven makes them sweeter and lends caramel-like notes from the natural sugars cooking. Don't add more sugar to make up for it—that could make the souffle runny. Just know it's a flavor trade-off you'll be making if you do this.

Sweet Potato Soufflé Ingredients

Milk: Milk thins the sweet potato mixture a bit, resulting in the perfect consistency. Butter: You'll need melted butter for the soufflé and for the topping. Vanilla: Vanilla extract takes the flavor up a notch. Eggs: Eggs bind the mixture together and lend moisture.

If the custard has a starch — i.e., flour — in it, the starch makes the egg less delicate and negates the need for a water bath. That distinction got me thinking about soufflés, because they're basically a heavy-on-the-whites version of a custard that has to be baked in a water bath.

What is the difference between a casserole and a souffle? The main difference between a souffle and a casserole is that souffles tend to have a lighter texture and are leavened by egg whites. For this particular dish, the difference between a sweet potato casserole and a souffle is in the texture of the potatoes.

It should rise two to three inches above the rim; you want a dry, firm, golden-brown crust with a moist, creamy inside (when testing with a knife, the blade will be wet, but not covered with runny liquid). Gently move the oven rack back and forth to see whether the soufflé is still shaky or more firmly set.

However, if you prefer a really thick sweet potato casserole, you can add about 2-3 tablespoons of flour to your sweet potato batter and this will help the mixture to thicken. This is an especially good idea if using fresh sweet potatoes.

There's only one serious secret to the perfect soufflé and that is careful whisking of the egg whites so they keep their volume and puff to a maximum in the oven. The whites should be at room temperature and you can reckon at least one and a half per person.

The Basics

There are all kinds of soufflé, yet what they all share in common is their two constituent parts: a base made of flavored cream sauce or puree and a soft meringue made of beaten egg whites. The base of a soufflé gives it its flavor, while the meringue gives it its texture.

Heat matters. Make sure the oven is preheated; that initial hot blast expands the air trapped inside the bubbly foam of batter, which makes it rise. Having the soufflé base hot or warm when you fold in the egg whites helps the temperature rise quickly, too.

Method. Preparing the soufflé dish: Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 and place a baking sheet on the middle shelf. Butter a 15cm soufflé dish generously, then sprinkle in the breadcrumbs and rotate the dish to ensure the butter is evenly coated. Tip out any excess breadcrumbs.

How do you know when a soufflé is done? ›

How to check when the souffle is perfectly done: To know if the souffle is perfectly cooked inside, you stick a kitchen needle into the middle. It must come out totally clean. If, on the contrary, it comes out wet and covered with egg, prolong the cooking for 2-3 minutes.

A ramekin with straight sides will help the soufflé rise but you can bake them in almost anything that can go in the oven. I sometimes like to bake them in a frying pan or baking dish and serve sharing style directly on the table.

“The hardest part of making a soufflé is when you incorporate the beaten egg white with yolks, and the rest of the batter. You have to be very careful to fold the egg whites slowly, so that they don't melt.” “A KitchenAid is the best investment if you want to make soufflés regularly.”

Underbeating the egg white meringue and overmixing the batter can lead to a souffle pancake batter being too runny. Make sure the egg whites are whipped to stiff peaks and don't overmix the batter. The batter should be very fluffy and airy, not runny.

Setting standard. Soufflés are best when they're still slightly runny in the centre. To check if a soufflé is set, gently tap the dish – it should wobble just a little bit. If the centre seems too fluid, cook for a few more minutes.

The solution for watery casseroles is instant potato mash powder or cornflour - slake (mix with a little water) at first or it will go lumpy. Stir well. Alternatively, don't add so much water at first, especially if you're using a slow cooker.