Creamy chocolate custard lurks below the crackling caramel crust. An incredibly easy dessert for something so wonderful

•	2 cups 500 mL whipping cream
•	1 tbsp. 15 mL vanilla
•	3 squares (1-oz/x g each) semisweet chocolate, chopped
•	6 egg yolks
•	6 tbsp. 90 mL granulated sugar

Caramel topping

•	2 tbsp. 30 mL brown sugar
•	2 tbsp. 30 mL granulated sugar

1. Pour the whipping cream into a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat immediately and stir in the chocolate and vanilla. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is completely smooth. Set aside for a few minutes.
2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar. Slowly add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, whisking until evenly combined and smooth. Let cool for 15 to 20 minutes -- or until just warm.
3. Preheat the oven to 300º F (150º C). Arrange six 1/2-cup (125 mL) soufflé dishes (or other smallish baking dishes or custard cups -- don’t grease) in a baking pan large enough to hold them all, with room between them.
4. Spoon the chocolate custard into the prepared soufflé dishes, dividing the mixture equally among them. Pour enough hot (not boiling) water into the outer baking pan to come about halfway up the sides of the soufflé dishes. Place in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the custard is just set -- it will still be fairly soft, but no longer liquid. Remove to a rack and let cool completely, then chill in the refrigerator until just before you’re ready to serve. (You can do this several hours or up to one day ahead, if you want.)
5. When ready to serve, preheat the broiler element of the oven to the highest heat setting. Place the oven rack as close to the element as possible.
Stir together the brown sugar and granulated sugar for the topping. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over chocolate custard in the six soufflé dishes. Arrange the soufflé dishes on a baking sheet (so that they can be more easily handled) and place under the preheated broiler for 1 to 2 minutes or just until the sugar topping melts and begins to bubble. Remove from oven and let cool for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 6 wickedly delicious servings.

How kids can help:

•	Mix together the custard ingredients and pour into baking dishes.
•	Sprinkle the sugar mixture on top of the custard before broiling.