Blended Carrot Souffle: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

A carrot souffle is a delicious, light, and fluffy side dish that goes well with chicken and beef. It can also be served as a dessert! This simple recipe involves pureeing cooked carrots with butter, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and eggs, and baking the mixture until it's golden brown. You can use a blender to puree the carrots, but a food processor will give the souffle a smoother texture. This dish is perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or any day!

How to prepare the carrots

Preparing the carrots for your carrot soufflé is simple. Here is a step-by-step guide:

First, peel and slice your carrots into 1/2-inch slices. You can use a vegetable peeler to peel the carrots. The number of carrots you will need depends on the weight specified in your recipe. For example, some recipes call for 1 pound of carrots, while others may require up to 2 pounds.

Next, fill a large pot with water and place it on your stove. Turn on the heat and bring the water to a boil. You can add a little salt to the water if desired. Once the water is boiling, carefully add your sliced carrots to the pot. Allow the carrots to cook in the boiling water for around 15 to 20 minutes, or until they become tender. If you prefer, you can also steam the carrots for a similar amount of time.

Once the carrots are tender, drain the water from the pot. It is important to ensure that the carrots are well-drained. At this point, you can let the carrots cool slightly, or you can use them while they are still warm.

Now it's time to blend your carrots. Place the cooked carrots into a blender or food processor. You can add other ingredients to the blender along with the carrots, such as butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and eggs. Blend the ingredients until they reach a smooth and creamy consistency. If you prefer a coarser texture, you can also mash the carrots by hand or use a hand mixer for a slightly smoother result.

And that's it! You have successfully prepared the carrots for your carrot soufflé. You can now proceed with the rest of the recipe, which typically involves adding dry ingredients, baking the mixture, and serving it with optional garnishes such as powdered sugar or orange zest. Enjoy your delicious and fluffy carrot soufflé!

Adding the remaining ingredients

Now that you have blended your cooked carrots to a smooth consistency, it's time to add the remaining ingredients to your mixture.

First, add melted butter, vanilla extract, and eggs to your blender. Whisk or blend the mixture until it is well combined. You can also add a teaspoon of cinnamon at this stage for a little extra flavour.

Next, add the dry ingredients. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Gently stir or blend everything together until the mixture is well combined. You can also add a little honey at this stage for some extra sweetness.

Your carrot souffle mixture is now ready to be poured into your prepared casserole dish and baked in the oven!

Baking the souffle

Now that you have your carrot mixture ready, it's time to bake your souffle!

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 2-quart (9x9-inch) casserole dish with cooking spray or oil. This will ensure your souffle doesn't stick to the sides and bottom of the dish.

Pour the carrot mixture into the prepared casserole dish. The dish should be about half full as the souffle will rise. If you want a taller souffle, you can use a smaller or deeper dish.

Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the souffle is set, lightly golden, and has a slight jiggle in the centre. The souffle will rise during baking but will fall as it cools, so don't worry if it doesn't keep its height.

Once the souffle is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes. This will give the souffle time to set and make it easier to handle. If you're making this in advance, let the souffle cool completely, then cover or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

Before serving, you can garnish your souffle with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a pinch of orange zest for a flavourful touch. You can also top it with mini marshmallows, a pecan streusel topping, or brown sugar for a sweeter treat.

Your carrot souffle is now ready to be enjoyed! It's best served fresh, but if you need to reheat it, simply pop it back in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until it's heated through and puffed up.

Serving suggestions

Carrot soufflé is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or a dessert. It pairs well with chicken and beef, and can be a great addition to holiday meals, such as Easter or Thanksgiving. Here are some specific serving suggestions:

As a Side Dish:

• Carrot soufflé can be a delicious and elegant side dish to a main course. It goes well with roasted meats, such as Easter ham, and other springtime dishes like roasted green beans.
• For a festive holiday meal, serve it alongside a Creole Roasted Turkey Breast, Pineapple Mustard Glazed Ham, or Southern Pecan-Crusted Ham.
• It can also complement Southern Pecan Chicken or Crispy Southern Fried Chicken.
• For a vegetarian option, pair it with Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole, or Fluffy Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

As a Dessert:

• To serve carrot soufflé as a dessert, increase the sweetness by adding more sugar. You can top it with powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or a sprinkle of orange zest for a flavourful touch.
• It can be a unique and surprising dessert option, especially if you want to showcase the versatility of carrots.

Other Serving Tips:

• If you want to make this dish in advance, you can prepare the batter a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. You can also boil the carrots in advance to save time.
• When serving, it is best to serve the soufflé soon after it's baked, as some falling is expected as it cools.
• For a fun twist, you can add toppings like mini marshmallows, brown sugar streusel, or chopped pecans.
• To make it more savoury, reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe.

Carrot soufflé is a versatile and tasty dish that can be adapted to your preferences. Whether served as a side or dessert, it is sure to impress your guests!

Making the souffle in advance

To make the souffle in advance, simply follow the recipe instructions up until the baking step. Combine all the ingredients, cover the mixture tightly, and store it in the refrigerator. The carrots can also be boiled or steamed beforehand and refrigerated separately to save time on the day of preparation. If you choose to boil or steam the carrots in advance, let them cool to room temperature before blending them with the remaining ingredients.

On the day of serving, remove the souffle mixture from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. Preheat the oven, and continue with the baking instructions in the recipe. Note that you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time to compensate for the souffle mixture being chilled.

Additionally, if you want to freeze the carrot souffle, it is best to combine all the ingredients, transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe container, and freeze it. When you are ready to bake, simply thaw the mixture overnight in the refrigerator and bake it according to the recipe instructions.

Frequently asked questions