Mini Chocolate Mascarpone Loaf

Looooookie who baked! (hint: me)

I am proud to say this is 100% my own baking creation. You know what a feat this is for me, n’est ce pas? MAJ. It’s nothing genius, but there’s a secret ingredient in this loaf that just gives it that OOMPH. Basically don’t look at the title of this post. Crap you already did. It’s mascarpone cheese! Yay! Yay yay yay!

I’ll chill.

I had the idea for this mini loaf while I was napping last week. It came to me in a dream. But I was awake. So it was a daydream. A wake dream. So basically a thought.

I wanted to keep the ingredients straightforward and simple, pretty much because I’m a moron when it comes to baking. However, I do know what when you mix this with that, and you slide it into the oven, stuff happens! Good stuff.

But my problem is, how MUCH of this and how MUCH of that. So I experimented. And rubbed my hands together slowly like a mad scientist when no one (everyone) was watching.

It took me two gos at this, the first loaf yielding an odd, fudgy density and an underwhelming sweetness.

My second try? Hooooold meh.

I upped the sugar a bit, to four tablespoons. Even still, this isn’t all that sweet! Not sure why I used an exclamation point there. It’s more semisweet, so if you crave maaaajor sweetness, add a little more. But then you get into the whole, “Well if you up the sugar, it may affect the molecular malarkey of the end result” blah BLAH, aaaand my head just exploded.

The mascarponnnneeeee, you guys. It’s fabulous in this. Subtle, but adds a rich creaminess that’s like nothing else.

I also added a teensy pinch of cayenne, because I have to have heat in basically everything in my life. You dig? That’s right you do.

My favorite part of this loafy desserty bliss? It’s mini! A rustic, slightly warped thrifted 3×7 loaf pan fit the bill for this baby.

My other favorite part of this tiny loafalicious beaut? The pepitas! I bought them pre-salted, so they add a crunchy depth that’ll make ya weep.

You’ll know you did it right when the top cracks and splits, and you can fit Lois Lane’s little red car right down in it.

Mini Chocolate Mascarpone Loaf:

What it took for one 3×7 loaf:

* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
* 1 tsp baking powder
* 4 Tbs. sugar (more if you want it a little sweeter!)
* 1 tsp coarse salt
* 1 pinch cayenne pepper
* 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese
* 3/4 cup whole milk
* 1 egg
* 1 tsp lemon juice
* 1 tsp vanilla extract
* 2 Tbs. melted butter
* pepitas for garnish
* sugar in the raw for garnish (optional)

Preheat oven to 375.

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, sugar, salt and cayenne pepper.

In another large mixing bowl, whisk together the mascarpone cheese, milk, egg, lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix until the mixture is smooth.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to your wet ones. Ha! Like the wipes. Not really. Once combined, add the butter. Mix to incorporate.

Pour into a lightly greased and lined (I used parchment paper) 3×7 loaf pan. Sprinkle the top with pepitas and a little bit of sugar in the raw, for extra sweetness and a tiny crunch! Bake for about 45 minutes (check at 30), or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Boom. Dessert.

Get your face in that.