Easy Cheese Souffle with Brie Cheese
Learn everything you need to know to a make fluffy airy and Cheese Souffle with Brie in this fun and fancy recipe. Soufflé is so simple, anyone can make it at home. Plus I’ll share plenty of tips to make it come out perfect every time.
This post is sponsored by Joan of Arc Cheese but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
French delicacies such as French Onion Soup are common in upscale restaurants but Cheese souffle is the most popular. Just because it’s fancy, doesn’t mean it’s off limits to home cooks. In fact, soufflés are quite easy and only require a few ingredients.
Ingredients in a cheese souffle and why to use them
- Melted butter: Adds buttery flavor and mixed with flour
- All-purpose flour: Stir with melted butter to create a roux, also helps souffle rise when baking
- Egg yolk: Creates a creamy, custard-like effect
- Egg white: Beat until peaks form to incorporate air. This creates a delicate, puffy texture
- Cheese: The ‘cheese’ part of a cheese souffle. Melted into the mixture to add flavor and texture
- Seasonings: Add ingredients such as salt, cayenne, paprika or mustard powder
How to make a cheese souffle
- Melt butter in a saucepan and stir in flour until combined
- Stir in milk until incorporated and thickened
- Slowly stir in shredded or cubed cheese until melted
- Remove from heat and stir with egg yolks, cool slightly
- Beat egg whites on medium until soft peaks form
- Fold with cheese mixture, pour into ramekins and bake at 350 F. for about 40 minutes
- Serve immediately as it will deflate while cooling
What cheese to use in a cheese souffle?
Check Cheeses of Europe to know different types of cheese. However, Cheddar, Parmesan, Colby Jack, Havarti, and Gruyere all work well. In this recipe, I used brie cheese to make this Easy Cheese Souffle unique. Be sure to cut off the rind for a creamy texture and easy melting.
Joan of Arc® Brie is a soft-ripened double creme cheese that adds mellow flavor to this Easy Cheese Souffle. It has a mild mushroom flavor and melts very well. Brie is great served on its own room at temp with crackers, nuts, fruits and spreads, or is a unique addition to cheese soufflés.
Tips for making Easy Cheese Souffle
- Use salted butter to enhance flavors
- When making the butter and flour roux, stir often to prevent clumping
- Same thing when adding milk and cheese to melt. A whisk works best for incorporating.
- Add cheese mixture slowly to egg yolks, stirring constantly, so it mixes in well
- Use a stand mixer or electric hand mixer on medium to beat egg whites until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes
- Fold a bit of beaten eggs whites until cheese and egg yolk mixture to lighten up, then add that to rest of egg whites
- Carefully fold together just until combined to keep airy. The mixture is delicate and too much mixing will deflate it.
- Leave a bit of space when baking to allow for rising
- It’s best to not open oven during baking as a change in temperature could cause souffle to drop. Instead turn on oven light to see. When it’s risen and you think it’s close to done, open oven quickly and see if it’s golden.
- Serve immediately as the souffle will drop while cooling
How much space to leave in dish when baking cheese souffle
Fill ramekin about ¾-inch in from top to allow cheese souffle to rise. It should puff up about ½-inch over top.
How to tell if cheese souffle is cooked
The top will be crisp and browned, slightly more than golden and souffle will have risen. Shake dish a bit, just a bit of wiggle is good. You can insert a knife in the center and it should come out clean, but isn’t the best for presentation.
More cheesy recipes you may like:
- Candied Bacon Au Gratin Potatoes
- Creamy Blue Cheese Puff Pastry Squares
- Mini Sausage and Spinach Phyllo Cups
- Caramel Apple Cheese Ball
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Craisins White Cheddar Cheese Ball
- Philly Cheese Steak Dip
- Hot Reuben Cheese Dip
- Grilled Cheese Burgers on Portobello Buns
- Ham and Cheese Scones
- Roasted Eggplant Parmesan Pizza Slices
Easy Cheese Souffle with Brie Cheese
Equipment
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Ramekin Dishes
Ingredients
- 8 ounce wheel Joan of Arc® Double Creme Brie cheese
- ¼ cup salted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon mustard powder
- Pinch of cayenne powder
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- 4 large egg whites
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Slice off all the rind from edges and sides of brie and discard. Cut cheese into small cubes and set aside.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, mustard powder and cayenne.
- Slowly pour in milk while stirring until combined. Heat, whisking constantly until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Add brie pieces and stir until combined and melted. Remove from heat.
- In a medium bowl, lightly beat egg yolks. While whisking, slowly pour in cheese mixture until combined. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Beat egg whites on medium in a stand or hand mixer until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes.
- Scoop 1-cup of beaten egg whites onto cheese mixture and fold until combined. Pour this mixture back into mixing bowl and carefully fold with eggs whites until combined.
- Pour into four medium or two ramekin dishes, leaving about ¾-inch space from tops. Bake 30-40 minutes, or until top is browned and center jiggles slightly when shook. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use salted butter to enhance flavors
- When making the butter and flour roux, stir often to prevent clumping
- Same thing when adding milk and cheese to melt. A whisk works best for incorporating.
- Add cheese mixture slowly to egg yolks, stirring constantly, so it mixes in well
- Carefully fold mixture together just until combined to keep airy. It's delicate and too much mixing will deflate it.
- Leave space in the dish when baking to allow for rising
- It’s best to not open oven during baking as a change in temperature could cause souffle to drop. Instead turn on oven light to see. When it’s risen and you think it’s close to done, open oven quickly and see if it's golden brown.
- Serve immediately as the souffle will drop while cooling
– Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens: 100 Best Cheesy Recipes. Print, 2018.
This recipe will be perfect for our Thanksgiving celebration this year! Can’t wait to try it. 🙂
I have a lot of Brie and thought a soufflé would be nice, so I LOVE this recipe … except for one thing: I couldn’t ever discard the rind; it’s too good! So I’m going to try to batter them and fry them in beef tallow. As for the soufflé, I might add ~1/4 t. sweet smoked paprika. I add smoked paprika to everything these days.
I like the idea of using brie in this souffle. It would be the perfect addition to our holiday meal. Thanks for mentioning how much space to leave in the ramekin as that is something struggle with when making souffles.
You’re totally welcome Vicky and thanks! It took a bit of trial and error as the first one raised too much over edge.
I think I can tackle a cheese souffle now. Love all the tips!
I think you can as well. Thanks and glad the tips are helpful!
These look so good! I wish I could reach through the screen. These would be a great hit at our Christmas Eve Party.
Wow thanks and I bet they would Juli!
This looks sooooo good! I am officially hungry now!
That’s the goal. Thanks Caitlyn!
this looks so awesome and love that used you brie.
Thanks Andrea! It adds a wonderful flavor that’s not overpowering.