Description
Rich, silky chocolate mousse delights dessert enthusiasts with its luxurious French-inspired charm. Creamy chocolate waves melt effortlessly, promising an indulgent escape you’ll savor with each heavenly spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Ingredients:
- 200 g (7 ounces) semi-sweet or dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) unsalted butter
Dairy and Egg Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy whipping cream, chilled
- 3 large eggs, separated
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sweetening and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
Optional Garnishes:
- Whipped cream
- Shaved chocolate
- Fresh berries
Instructions
- Craft a luscious chocolate base by gently melting chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Stir continuously until the mixture transforms into a glossy, uniform liquid. Allow the melted chocolate to cool slightly, preventing egg scrambling when combining.
- Vigorously whisk egg yolks with sugar until they develop a pale, silky texture. The whisking creates volume and incorporates air, enhancing the mousse’s light consistency. Gradually integrate the yolk mixture into the chocolate, ensuring a smooth, homogeneous blend.
- Sanitize a mixing bowl and prepare to whip egg whites. Add a pinch of salt to stabilize the whites, then beat until soft, billowy peaks emerge. Gradually introduce remaining sugar, continuing to whip until peaks stand firmly and glossily.
- Delicately incorporate the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Use a folding technique, rotating the spatula from bottom to top, preserving the airy structure. Perform this in two stages to maintain maximum volume.
- Whip chilled heavy cream with vanilla until soft peaks form. Gently fold the cream into the chocolate mixture, creating a uniform, velvety texture without deflating the mixture.
- Transfer the mousse into elegant serving vessels. Seal with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of two hours, allowing the dessert to set and flavors to intensify.
- Before serving, embellish with optional garnishes like chocolate shavings, fresh berries, or a dollop of whipped cream. Present chilled for optimal taste and texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for better incorporation and smoother texture when combining ingredients.
- Ensure all utensils and bowls are completely clean and dry to help egg whites whip properly without deflating.
- Fold ingredients gently using a spatula with a light hand to maintain the mousse’s delicate, airy structure.
- Consider using high-quality dark chocolate with 70% cocoa content for a rich, intense chocolate flavor that elevates the dessert.
- For a lighter version, substitute some heavy cream with Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining creamy consistency.
- Transform this classic dessert into a gluten-free treat by verifying all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Experiment with flavor variations by adding a splash of espresso, orange zest, or a hint of liqueur to the chocolate base.
- Store mousse in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg