Ingredients
8ozbittersweet chocolate,plus shavings for garnish
1½stickunsalted butter
3large eggs
3large egg yolks
½cupsugar
¼cupcake flour
½cupheavy cream
½vanilla bean
2tbsplight brown sugar
½tsplemon zest,finely grated
1cupmascarpone
1tspfresh lemon juice
½cupbrandied cherries,or kirsch soaked sour cherries
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat six 6-ounce ramekins with butter, and dust lightly with flour. Set the ramekins on a sturdy baking sheet. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate with the butter; let cool.
In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the whisk, beat the eggs, yolks, and sugar on high speed until pale and fluffy. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the chocolate, then fold in the cake flour just until no streaks remain.
Spoon the batter into the prepared ramekins and bake for 15 minutes, until the cakes have risen, the tops are dry and the centers are slightly jiggly. Let stand for 5 minutes.
In a bowl, beat the cream with the vanilla seeds, brown sugar, and lemon zest until soft peaks form. Add the mascarpone and lemon juice and beat until blended.
Run the tip of a small knife around each cake to loosen it, then unmold onto plates. Spoon the mascarpone cream onto the cakes and garnish with the brandied cherries and chocolate shavings.
