master-cooks | Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe

This Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe offers a luscious, velvety dessert that is both rich and airy, perfect for any chocolate lover. Start by selecting high-quality dark chocolate, as it forms the base of the mousse and dictates the depth of flavor. Melt the chocolate gently over a double boiler, ensuring it remains smooth and glossy. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form, adding a touch of vanilla extract to enhance the chocolate's richness. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the cooled melted chocolate, maintaining the mousse's airy texture. For an added layer of indulgence, whisk egg whites until stiff peaks form and gently incorporate them into the mixture, ensuring a light and fluffy consistency. Sweeten with a hint of sugar, adjusting to taste for the perfect balance between bitterness and sweetness. Chill the mousse for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to set. Serve in individual glasses or bowls, garnishing with chocolate shavings or fresh berries for an elegant presentation. This recipe is a timeless classic, offering a decadent treat that is both simple to prepare and sure to impress.

Gather the best chocolate mousse ingredients

To prepare this recipe, gather cold heavy cream, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, dark chocolate, salted butter, cinnamon, and eggs. After combining these straightforward ingredients, just a few minutes on the stove, a little more time with a hand mixer, and a couple of hours in the refrigerator will lead you to this delicious dessert.

Step 1: Whip the cream

In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar. Whip the mixture for 2-3 minutes until it forms soft peaks. Set it aside for the time being.

Step 2: Combine the chocolate and butter in a pan

In a sturdy skillet set over low heat, mix together the chocolate, butter, and cinnamon.

Step 3: Melt the chocolate

Heat to dissolve the butter and chocolate.

Step 4: Stir the chocolate until smooth

Keep heating and stirring for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is smooth. Take it off the heat.

Step 5: Add the egg yolks

Let the chocolate cool until it is slightly warm to the touch, then incorporate the egg yolks.

Step 6: Whip the egg whites

In a separate large bowl, whisk the egg whites with 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar until stiff peaks form, which should take about 4-5 minutes.

Step 7: Combine the chocolate and whipped cream

Gently incorporate the melted chocolate mixture into the whipped cream.

Step 8: Add the egg whites

Gently incorporate the whipped egg whites into the chocolate and whipped cream blend.

Step 9: Ensure the mousse is uniform

Ensure that the mousse is thoroughly blended and consistent.

Step 10: Fill the serving dishes and chill

Spoon the mousse into your serving dishes, cover them, and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to chill.

Step 11: Garnish and serve

Garnish with extra whipped cream, grated chocolate, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, if you like.

What is the best chocolate to use in chocolate mousse?

Choosing the right chocolate is essential for crafting a decadent, indulgent chocolate mousse. In this recipe, we recommend using dark chocolate with a cocoa content of about 70%. Dark chocolate is the preferred option for chocolate mousse due to its rich and intricate flavor profile. While many of us casually enjoy a piece of chocolate without much consideration, the taste of dark chocolate reveals a spectrum of nuances to the discerning palate, including hints of bitterness, spice, almond, and berries, among others.

Although this recipe focuses on dark chocolate, there are plenty of alternatives for making chocolate mousse. If you favor a milder and more straightforward chocolate flavor, milk chocolate can be an excellent choice. Additionally, you can experiment with white chocolate or the uniquely fruity ruby chocolate. Should you decide to use a different type of chocolate than the recommended dark chocolate, simply omit the cinnamon, as it may clash with the more delicate flavors of the other varieties.

Do I have to use raw eggs in chocolate mousse?

The inclusion of raw eggs in chocolate mousse is a topic of discussion among chefs. Classic chocolate mousse typically incorporates separated raw eggs, with the yolks adding richness to the chocolate and the whipped whites providing a light, airy texture to the dessert. However, consuming raw or undercooked eggs carries a slight risk (with approximately 1 in 20,000 commercial eggs potentially harboring salmonella).

For those who find eating raw eggs too risky, a simple solution is to use pasteurized eggs. These eggs undergo a treatment process while still in their shells to eliminate bacteria, making them safe to consume raw while appearing identical to regular eggs. Alternatives include egg white powders, which are shelf-stable and safe to eat raw, as well as separated egg products like cartons of egg whites that are pasteurized according to FDA standards.

Ultimately, the choice to consume raw eggs is a personal one. Following food safety guidelines, such as using fresh eggs and considering pasteurized options, can help minimize the risk of foodborne illness.

Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe