FUDGY SOUFFLÉ CAKE WITH WARM TURTLE SAUCE This glamorous dessert might look fussy and complicated, but Fudgy Soufflé Cake With Warm Turtle Sauce is no prima donna. Making this intensely chocolaty treat couldn't be simpler, and you probably have most of the ingredients on hand. No mad dash from oven to table is required, just bake then serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Butter-flavored cooking spray 1/4 teaspoon sugar 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa 6 tablespoons hot water 2 tablespoons butter or stick margarine 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3/4 cup 1% low-fat milk 1/4 cup sugar 1/8 teaspoon salt 4 large egg whites 3 tablespoons sugar

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Coat a 1 1/2-quart soufflé dish with cooking spray; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon sugar. Set aside.

Combine cocoa and hot water in a bowl; set aside.

Melt butter in a small, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a whisk. Gradually add milk, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt, stirring constantly with a whisk. Cook until thick (about 3 minutes), stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add cocoa mixture; stir well. Spoon into a large bowl; cool slightly.

Beat the egg whites with a mixer at high speed until foamy. Add 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Gently fold 1 cup egg white mixture into cocoa mixture; gently fold in the remaining egg white mixture. Spoon into prepared dish.

Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes or until puffy and set. Remove from oven, and serve warm or at room temperature with Warm Turtle Sauce.

Serves 6.

WARM TURTLE SAUCE

6 tablespoons fat-free caramel-flavored sundae syrup
3 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted

Place caramel syrup in a small bowl, and microwave at HIGH for 30 seconds or until warm. Stir in pecans.

Makes 1/2 cup.

1 Serving - 1 wedge and about 1 1/2 tablespoons sauce: Calories: 241 (Cal. from fat: 29%), Fat: 7.8g (Saturated: 1.7g), Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 182mg, Carbohydrate: 58.6g, Protein: 6.1g.

[Cooking Light, November 2000]