For my first EVER post (yes guys, I’m an excited newbie) I wanted something simple but spectacular. These are very easy to make but look impressive and taste divine (here I’ve served it them in teacups for an added cutesy factor) . Light and airy with a full chocolate flavour these must be eaten straight out of the oven and are extra special with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream and a dusting of icing sugar. Be warned though, you may not be able to stop at one!

Ingredients (serves 4)
2 tblspns melted butter
4 tblspns caster sugar (one tablespoon per ramekin)
4 tblspns custard powder
4 tblspns cocoa
3 tblspns sugar
1 cup milk
6 eggs, separated
Extra ½ cup caster sugar

Method
Preheat oven to 190°C. Brush insides of 4 1-cup ramekins with melted butter and dust with caster sugar, ensuring the ramekins are evenly coated (this is SUPER important as it will give you a delicious crust). Refrigerate until needed.

Put custard powder, cocoa, sugar and milk in a small saucepan and bring to simmer for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. Beat egg yolks into the custard mixture and set it aside.

Put the eggwhites and half of the extra caster sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and whip until soft peaks form.

Add the remaining caster sugar and whip FOR 10 SECONDS ONLY.

Fold half of the meringue mixture into the custard mixture using a plastic/silicon spatula. Fold the combined meringue & custard mixture into the remaining meringue mixture, then gently spoon into the prepared ramekins.

Bake for 11-12 minutes without opening the oven door (this is important as otherwise the soufflé will sink – you’ve seen the cartoons!) Remove, dust with icing sugar & serve immediately with vanilla ice-cream if desired.

Adapted from Fast Ed’s “Easiest Chocolate Soufflés” – Better Homes & Gardens Magazine, 2009