Warm Chocolate Cakes with Mascarpone Cream

Ingredients:
8 oz bittersweet chocolate, plus shavings for garnish, chopped
1½ stick unsalted butter
3 large eggs
3 large large egg yolks, at room temperature
½ cup sugar
¼ cup cake flour
½ cup heavy cream
½ vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
2 Tbsp light brown sugar
½ tsp finely grated lemon zest
1 cup mascarpone
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
½ cup brandied cherries or kirsch-soaked sour cherries

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C. Coat six 6-oz 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.
2. 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, about 4 mins. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the chocolate, then fold in the cake flour just until no streaks remain.
3. Spoon the batter into the prepared ramekins and bake for 15 mins, until the cakes have risen, the tops are dry and the centers are slightly jiggly. Let stand for 5 mins.
4. 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.
5. 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.