Sesame Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake

A counter snacking loaf

Hi!

Despite the calendar reading June, here in southern Ontario we’re still waiting for summer fruits to make their grand entrance. I can’t wait to bake with all the berries and stone fruits; but in the meantime, let’s make some cake!

This sesame chocolate chip loaf cake has graced our counter these past few weeks. Everyone (yes, everyone!) in our family enjoys it, making it an automatic winner in my book. Nutty, slightly savory sesame offers a hint of sophistication, complimenting the sweetness of the chocolate. The combination of reverse creaming, almond flour, and sour cream creates a plush, tender crumb that stays moist for days.

There are many ways to incorporate sesame into your baking: whole or ground seeds, oil, pastes, butter. Here I’ve gone with two ingredients I always have on hand: whole white sesame seeds and toasted sesame oil. Liberally sprinkling the pan with sesame seeds before baking yields an attractively encrusted loaf that doesn’t need additional post-bake decoration. (Black sesame seeds should work as well; though they are more assertive in both flavor and texture.)

In the batter itself, I add another handful of seeds and a spoonful of fragrant toasted sesame oil. In Asian cooking, toasted sesame oil is often used to finish dishes — it’s potent, so a little goes a long way. Find toasted sesame oil in well-stocked grocery stores or your local Asian supermarket. (I use it in these sesame and spelt cookies too!)

A note about loaf cake tins: For that sharp edge energy, I love using my 9x4x4 Pullman pan (without the lid) to bake loaf cakes (it typically works well for any loaf designed for a 9x5 pan; anything calling for an 8x4/8.5x4.5 will look too squat). If you too love right angles, I promise this pan is worth the investment. I use it for sandwich loaves too and it doesn’t let me down.

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This time last year

• Rhubarb and buttermilk custard pie

• Blondie ice cream sandwiches (no churn!)

Loaf cakes, previously

• Almond ricotta loaf cake

• Hazelnut loaf cake with crunchy coffee glaze

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Sesame Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake

Makes one 9”x4” loaf cake (I use this pan)