Yields Makes 6 servings
Notes: The trick to making a perfect soufflé is to not overbeat the egg whites. If making ahead, let yolk mixture (step 3) and sauce (step 7) stand at room temperature up to 1 hour. Fifty minutes before serving, finish and bake soufflés; reheat sauce at the last minute.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Grate 2 1/2 teaspoons peel and ream 1/3 cup plus 1/2 cup juice from lemons; set aside.

Step 2
2

Lightly butter 6 ramekins, 1 1/4- to 1 1/2-cup size. Evenly space in a 10- by 15-inch rimmed baking pan.

Step 3
3

Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a 2- to 3-quart pan over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour, then half-and-half and 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Whisk constantly until mixture comes to a boil; boil 30 seconds. Remove from heat. Whisk in 1/3 cup lemon juice, yolks, and 2 teaspoons lemon peel.

Step 4
4

In the bowl of a mixer, beat egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form. Beat in 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, just until whites hold straight, glossy peaks when beaters are lifted.

Step 5
5

Stir about 1 cup egg whites into yolk mixture, then gently fold yolk mixture into whites until no streaks remain. Spoon mixture evenly into ramekins (they'll be full).

Step 6
6

For a creamy texture, bake in a 375° oven until softly set (when gently shaken, soufflés should ripple in center only), 12 to 13 minutes. For a drier texture, bake 20 minutes.

Step 7
7

Meanwhile, in a 1- to 2-quart pan, combine cornstarch and 6 tablespoons granulated sugar. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup lemon juice. Stir over medium-high heat until bubbling, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoon lemon peel.

Step 8
8

Sift powdered sugar over soufflés. At the table, spoon a hole in the center of each soufflé and pour in sauce.

Ingredients

 8 (about 2 lb.) Meyer lemons
  About 4 tablespoons butter or margarine
 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
 1 cup half-and-half
  About 1 cup granulated sugar
 6 large eggs, separated
 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
 2 teaspoons cornstarch
 1 1/2 teaspoons powdered sugar

Directions

Step 1
1

Grate 2 1/2 teaspoons peel and ream 1/3 cup plus 1/2 cup juice from lemons; set aside.

Step 2
2

Lightly butter 6 ramekins, 1 1/4- to 1 1/2-cup size. Evenly space in a 10- by 15-inch rimmed baking pan.

Step 3
3

Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a 2- to 3-quart pan over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour, then half-and-half and 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Whisk constantly until mixture comes to a boil; boil 30 seconds. Remove from heat. Whisk in 1/3 cup lemon juice, yolks, and 2 teaspoons lemon peel.

Step 4
4

In the bowl of a mixer, beat egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form. Beat in 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, just until whites hold straight, glossy peaks when beaters are lifted.

Step 5
5

Stir about 1 cup egg whites into yolk mixture, then gently fold yolk mixture into whites until no streaks remain. Spoon mixture evenly into ramekins (they'll be full).

Step 6
6

For a creamy texture, bake in a 375° oven until softly set (when gently shaken, soufflés should ripple in center only), 12 to 13 minutes. For a drier texture, bake 20 minutes.

Step 7
7

Meanwhile, in a 1- to 2-quart pan, combine cornstarch and 6 tablespoons granulated sugar. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup lemon juice. Stir over medium-high heat until bubbling, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoon lemon peel.

Step 8
8

Sift powdered sugar over soufflés. At the table, spoon a hole in the center of each soufflé and pour in sauce.

Meyer Lemon Soufflés

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