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1
Preheat the oven to 400u00b0F. Generously butter six to eight 4- to 5-ounce souffle molds (oven-safe coffee cups work great for this in a pinch). Add a small handful of sugar to one buttered mold and turn to coat the bottom and sides with an even layer of sugar. Tap out the excess sugar into the next mold and coat the mold. Coat the remaining molds, adding more sugar as necessary. Refrigerate the molds until ready to bake.
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2
To make the souffle: Whisk the cornmeal and buttermilk together in a medium bowl; set aside.
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3
Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels and saute for 4 to 5 minutes, until tender. Add the milk, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, the vanilla, cinnamon, and salt, bring to a simmer, and simmer for 5 minutes.
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4
Transfer the corn mixture to a blender and puree on high. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cornmeal mixture, then let cool to room temperature.
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5
Whisk the egg yolks into the cooled corn mixture.
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6
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or using a handheld mixer), beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form; this is your meringue. Gently fold the meringue into the corn mixture. Don't worry if it isn't all smoothly combined; a few streaks are okay.
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7
Scoop the batter into the prepared molds, filling them almost all the way to the rim. Place the molds on a baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and puffed. Serve immediately, sprinkled with powdered sugar.
