Baked Mascarpone and Dark Chocolate Tart
A rich tart featuring smooth mascarpone and bittersweet dark chocolate baked to silky perfection with a crisp pastry crust. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 77 minutes layers all-purpose flour, cold and cubed unsalted butter, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tbsp, cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 8 oz mascarpone cheese
- 5 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- for dusting powdered sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter cubed, and 2 tbsp granulated sugar. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 3 tbsp cold water gradually, mixing until dough forms. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Roll chilled dough on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch tart pan. Press dough evenly into pan and trim edges. Prick bottom with fork to prevent bubbling. Bake crust for 12 minutes until lightly golden; remove and cool slightly.
- Step 3: Chop 5 oz dark chocolate finely and place in a heatproof bowl. Heat 1/3 cup heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Pour hot cream over chocolate and let sit 2 minutes, then stir gently until smooth.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk 8 oz mascarpone cheese with 2 large eggs and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth. Slowly fold melted chocolate mixture into mascarpone mixture until fully combined.
- Step 5: Pour filling into pre-baked tart shell and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until filling is set but still slightly wobbly in the center. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Step 6: Just before serving, dust tart with powdered sugar for a delicate finish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Mascarpone and Dark Chocolate Tart take to make?
Total time is about 77 minutes (45 min prep + 32 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Baked Mascarpone and Dark Chocolate Tart?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Mascarpone and Dark Chocolate Tart?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Mascarpone and Dark Chocolate Tart for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Mascarpone and Dark Chocolate Tart?
French desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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