Recipe: Chocolate Chip Shells (Madeleines, Toll House contest winner)

CHOCOLATE CHIP SHELLS (MADELEINES)

"The Grand Prize Winner of the 2000 Nestle Toll House "Share the Very Best" recipe contest, this dessert was created by Ronda Smith of Verona, NJ. The elegant shell-shaped tea cake delivers the flavor of a chocolate chip cookie, but with a much lighter texture and a refreshing hint of orange."

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups (8 oz.) Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided use
4 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon orange liqueur, such as Cointreau (or 1 teaspoon orange extract)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons grated orange peel
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup sifted powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease and flour madeleine baking pan(s).

Combine flour and 1 cup morsels in medium bowl.

Beat eggs, granulated sugar, orange liqueur, vanilla extract and orange peel in large mixer bowl until light in color.

Fold flour mixture and butter alternately into egg mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Spoon batter by heaping tablespoon into each prepared mold.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan(s) for 1 minute. With tip of knife, release onto wire racks to cool completely. Wash, grease and flour pans. Repeat with remaining batter.

Sprinkle cooled madeleines very lightly with powdered sugar.

Microwave remaining morsels in heavy-duty plastic bag on HIGH (100%) for 30 seconds; knead bag to mix. Microwave at additional 10-second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut a small hole in corner of bag; squeeze to drizzle over madeleines. Allow chocolate to cool and set before serving.