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Skillet Lemon Soufflé

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on January 3, 2012

Yield

Serves 6

Skillet Lemon Soufflé

Ingredients

5 large eggs, separated¼ teaspoon cream of tartar ⅔ cup granulated sugar (4 ¾ ounces/135 grams)⅛ teaspoon table salt ⅓ cup juice and 1 teaspoon grated zest from 2 to 3 lemons2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon unsalted butter Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Before You Begin

Don’t open the oven door during the first seven minutes of baking, but do check the soufflé regularly for doneness during the final few minutes in the oven. Be ready to serve the soufflé immediately after removing it from the oven. A 10-inch skillet is essential to getting the right texture and height.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Using stand mixer, whip egg whites and cream of tartar together on medium-low speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Slowly add 1/3 cup sugar and salt, then increase speed to medium-high and continue to whip until stiff peaks form, 3 to 5 minutes. Gently transfer whites to clean bowl and set aside.
  2. Using stand mixer (no need to wash mixing bowl), whip yolks and remaining 1/3 cup sugar together on medium-high speed until pale and thick, about 1 minute. Whip in lemon juice, zest, and flour until incorporated, about 30 seconds.
  3. Whisk ¼ of whipped egg whites into yolk mixture until almost no white streaks remain. Gently fold in remaining egg whites until just incorporated.
  4. Melt butter in 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-low heat. Swirl pan to coat evenly with melted butter, then gently scrape soufflé batter into skillet and cook until edges begin to set and bubble slightly, about 2 minutes.
  5. Transfer skillet to oven and bake soufflé until puffed, center jiggles slightly when shaken, and surface is golden, 7 to 11 minutes. Using potholder (skillet handle will be hot), remove skillet from oven. Dust soufflé with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately.

Skillet Lemon Soufflé

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Yield

Serves 6

Ingredients

5 large eggs, separated
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
⅔ cup granulated sugar (4 ¾ ounces/135 grams)
⅛ teaspoon table salt
⅓ cup juice and 1 teaspoon grated zest from 2 to 3 lemons
2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Ingredients

5 large eggs, separated
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
⅔ cup granulated sugar (4 ¾ ounces/135 grams)
⅛ teaspoon table salt
⅓ cup juice and 1 teaspoon grated zest from 2 to 3 lemons
2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Ingredients

5 large eggs, separated
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
⅔ cup granulated sugar (4 ¾ ounces/135 grams)
⅛ teaspoon table salt
⅓ cup juice and 1 teaspoon grated zest from 2 to 3 lemons
2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Why This Recipe Works

When developing a perfectly puffed, golden-brown soufflé recipe, we found that simply baking the mixture in a skillet resulted in a damp interior. Starting the soufflé on the stovetop and then finishing it in the oven turned out to be the ideal approach, resulting in a skillet soufflé recipe with a light, moist, creamy interior from top to bottom.

Before You Begin

Don’t open the oven door during the first seven minutes of baking, but do check the soufflé regularly for doneness during the final few minutes in the oven. Be ready to serve the soufflé immediately after removing it from the oven. A 10-inch skillet is essential to getting the right texture and height.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Using stand mixer, whip egg whites and cream of tartar together on medium-low speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Slowly add 1/3 cup sugar and salt, then increase speed to medium-high and continue to whip until stiff peaks form, 3 to 5 minutes. Gently transfer whites to clean bowl and set aside.
  2. Using stand mixer (no need to wash mixing bowl), whip yolks and remaining 1/3 cup sugar together on medium-high speed until pale and thick, about 1 minute. Whip in lemon juice, zest, and flour until incorporated, about 30 seconds.
  3. Whisk ¼ of whipped egg whites into yolk mixture until almost no white streaks remain. Gently fold in remaining egg whites until just incorporated.
  4. Melt butter in 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-low heat. Swirl pan to coat evenly with melted butter, then gently scrape soufflé batter into skillet and cook until edges begin to set and bubble slightly, about 2 minutes.
  5. Transfer skillet to oven and bake soufflé until puffed, center jiggles slightly when shaken, and surface is golden, 7 to 11 minutes. Using potholder (skillet handle will be hot), remove skillet from oven. Dust soufflé with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately.

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