Individual Molten Chocolate Cake Recipe With Orange Zest

Individual Molten Chocolate Cakes With Orange Zest
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter cut into pieces
6 oz of semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
3 large eggs
3 large egg yolks
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp orange zest
1 tsp pure vanilla
4 tbsp flour

Cooking Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat the inside of four 6 oz. ramekins with butter.  Then, dust the inside of the ramekins with sugar and place them on a baking sheet.

2. Place the chocolate and butter into a double boiler and melt them over simmering water. Once melted, remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool while you are preparing the rest of the batter.

3. Using a mixer, beat the eggs, yolks, and sugar together in a large bowl until the mixture is pale and thick (approximately 6 – 8 minutes).

4. Add the vanilla and orange zest to the bowl and beat it in until it is well mixed.

5. With the mixer on a low speed, add the flour to the bowl and beat just until is incorporated. Slowly add the chocolate mixture (from Step2) and beat everything together for about 2 minutes.

6. Fill the ramekins about ¾ full and bake them until the cakes are firm around the edges, yet the middle still jiggles (approximately 10 – 12 minutes).

7. Remove the ramekins from the oven and cool at room temperature for 2 – 3 minutes.