Mascarpone Brownies With Frosting

A very decadent dessert that will have you coming back for more.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 6  ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 8  ounces mascarpone
• 6  tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 2⁄3 cups sugar
• 4  eggs
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped pecans or 1⁄2 cup walnuts

• Mascarpone Cheese Frosting

• 8  ounces mascarpone cheese, room temperature
• 2  tablespoons butter
• 4  ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 1  tablespoon milk
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 1 -2  cup powdered sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Spray a 9 x 9-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl.
4. Melt 1/2 cup of butter with the chocolate.
5. Meanwhile, in the bowl of a mixer using a paddle attachment, beat the mascarpone, 6 tablespoons of softened butter, and the sugar until light and smooth.
6. Add the eggs to the cheese mixture one at a time and thoroughly scrape the bowl after each egg is added.
7. Add the vanilla and mix.
8. Add the melted chocolate and mix just until combined.
9. Finally, add the dry ingredients and nuts and mix slowly just until combined.
10. Pour into the prepared pan and bake approximately 45 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.
11. The brownies will rise during the baking process, but after being removed from the oven will collapse to a normal height. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
12. For the frosting, melt chocolate with butter and milk in saucepan.
13. Allow to cool.
14. Beat mascarpone until well combined.
15. Beat in vanilla and melted chocolate mixture.
16. Add in confectioners sugar, scraping down the bowl as you go.
17. When it has all been incorporated, beat on high speed for 1-2 minutes, until icing is smooth.
18. Frost brownies with icing.