The Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe - Baker by Nature (2024)

by Ashley Manila 14 Comments

This classic chocolate mousse recipe is thick, creamy, and loaded with chocolate flavor! Use good quality chocolate for the best texture and flavor. This is a great “make-ahead” chocolate dessert recipe!

Easy Chocolate Mousse

I haven’t been baking a lot these days. It’s just too darn hot! But that doesn’t mean I’m not making my family dessert. Instead of baking, I’m simply opting for no bake recipes that don’t require me to turn on the oven.

Which is where this decadent chocolate mousse recipe comes into the picture! It’s simply divine. The mousse is light and airy… yet rich and intensely chocolatey. It’s an easy dessert that looks fancy and tastes like a dream come true. Dessert genius? I think so!

Ingredients for Chocolate Mousse

  • Dark Chocolate: I highly suggest using good quality chocolate, such as Ghiradelli or Lindt, and not chocolate chips. A bittersweet chocolate, anywhere between 60% and 78% will ensure the mousse is rich and not too sweet.
  • Egg Yolks: You don’t have to worry about raw eggs in this recipe. You cook the egg yolks in the custard mixture. Make sure your eggs are at room temperature! Save your egg whites for one of my recipes that calls for whipped egg whites.
  • Granulated Sugar: Just a small amount helps sweeten this dessert. If you want a sweeter chocolate mousse, I suggest using a semi-sweet chocolate instead of bittersweet.
  • Heavy Cream: Aka heavy whipping cream. Use this in the mousse filling as well as in the whipped cream topping. Do not sub milk or half-and-half for real cream.
  • Vanilla Extract: For the best flavor, use high-quality REAL vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla.
  • Espresso Powder: You can click here to check out my fave espresso powder. It won’t make the chocolate mousse taste like coffee. Instead, it deepens and intensifies the chocolate flavor. But If you don’t have this ingredient, you may leave it out.
  • Salt: I love using fine sea salt in this recipe, but in a pinch, table salt will work.
  • Confectioners’ Sugar: Aka powdered sugar. This is a must-have for making perfectly whipped cream.

How to Make Chocolate Mousse

  1. Make the Mousse Base: The melted chocolate mixture is super easy to make. The most crucial step is paying attention to the cream while it’s on the stovetop. You never want to let it come to a full boil.
  2. Chill the Chocolate Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours. You want it super cold before you add in the whipped cream!
  3. Make the Whipped Cream: Use an electric mixer to beat the remaining heavy cream. You’ll want it to form stiff peaks. Then fold the cream into the chocolate mixture. At this point you can also make a separate batch of whipped cream for topping.
  4. Dish and Serve: Spoon the mousse into dessert cups, top with whipped cream, and chocolate shavings, and serve at once!

Equipment for this Recipe

The Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe - Baker by Nature (8)

The Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe

The Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe - Baker by Nature (9)Ashley Manila

This classic chocolate mousse recipe is thick, creamy, and loaded with chocolate flavor! Use good quality chocolate for the best texture and flavor. This is a great "make-ahead" chocolate dessert recipe!

5 from 6 votes

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Course Dessert

Cuisine Chocolate, French

Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Mousse:

  • 14 ounces 72% dark chocolate finely chopped
  • 8 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup (99g) granulated sugar
  • 4 cups (908ml) heavy cream divided (steps 3,4,and,6)
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons espresso powder optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

  • 1 and 1/2 cups (340ml) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (57g) confectioners' sugar
  • chocolate shavings garnish, optional

Instructions

For the Chocolate Mousse:

  • Place the chopped chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. Set aside.

  • In a large-bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the egg yolks and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is thick, smooth, and deeply yellow. Set aside.

  • In a medium saucepan over medium-heat, warm two cups (454ml) of the cream just until it comes to a simmer. Remove the pan from heat and slowly whisk half of the hot cream into the egg yolk /sugar mixture, whisking constantly and adding it very gradually, to temper the mixture.

  • Slowly add another half cup of cream (113ml) into the bowl and whisk well to combine. Transfer the mixture back to the saucepan and cook over medium-heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick enough to easily coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes (do not bring the mixture to a boil).

  • Slowly pour the warm mixture over the chopped chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is smooth and melted, then whisk in the vanilla, espresso powder, and salt. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, about 1 to 2 hours.

    The Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe - Baker by Nature (10)

  • Once the chocolate mixture is chilled, beat the remaining 1 and 1/2 cups of the cream (340ml) with until stiff peaks form.

    The Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe - Baker by Nature (11)

  • Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture, mixing softly but thoroughly, until evenly combined.

    The Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe - Baker by Nature (12)

  • Spoon the mousse into dessert cups, top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, and serve at once!

    The Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe - Baker by Nature (13)

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

  • In a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, beat the heavy cream and confectioners’ sugar together until medium-stiff peaks form (it should be silky and lusciously smooth, but stiff enough to spoon on top of the mousse).

  • Spoon on top of the mousse, top with chocolate shavings, and serve at once!

    The Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe - Baker by Nature (14)

Notes

If you don’t want to serve right away, store the chocolate mousse in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Make whipped cream topping right before serving.

The heavy cream is divided among 3 steps: Step 3, 4, and 6. You use all 4 cups in the mousse. 2 and 1/2 cups in the chocolate mixture, then 1 and 1/2 cups in the whipped cream mixture that is folded into the mousse.

The heavy cream called for in the mousse recipe is separate than the heavy cream called for for the whipped cream topping.

Keyword chocolate, valentine’s day desserts, chocolate mousse

Tried it and loved it?Snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram @Bakerbynature and by using the hashtag #BakerByNature

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Comments

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  1. The Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe - Baker by Nature (20)Sonja Hunt says

    The Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe - Baker by Nature (21)
    Absolutely delicious. Took it to work and it was a hit. First time making mousse.

    Reply

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The Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe - Baker by Nature (2024)

FAQs

What can go wrong when making chocolate mousse? ›

If your chocolate becomes grainy when you add the whipped egg whites or cream, it has cooled too much and hardened into small grains. Ideally, your chocolate should be between 35-40ºC before you incorporate the cooler ingredients. If using cream, it's possible that you over whipped it - aim for 'barely soft peaks'.

What's the difference between chocolate pudding and chocolate mousse? ›

While the ingredients are similar, chocolate pudding is cooked on the stove to activate the cornstarch or flour, depending on the recipe. Mousse is not cooked. It develops its airy texture just from whipped cream.

Why is my chocolate mousse not fluffy? ›

Not fluffy enough, not chocolatey enough, too sweet, grainy, etc etc. Many “easy” chocolate mousse recipes tend to use too much cream so the end result is more like custard, rather than aerated like real chocolate mousse should be.

What makes a good mousse? ›

The whipped cream and egg whites also provide fat and protein, which give the mousse its rich and smooth mouthfeel. Additionally, the use of high-quality chocolate can contribute to the creaminess of the mousse, as the cocoa butter in the chocolate can help to create a smooth and silky texture.

What is very crucial when making a mousse? ›

Step 2: Incorporating air. This is probably the most crucial step and it's what really defines the consistency of your mousse: adding air bubbles into the mouse. There are roughly two ways to do so: Whisk an ingredient that's good at holding onto air itself, such as heavy cream or eggs.

How long will homemade chocolate mousse last? ›

It is possible to make the mousse ahead. The mousse can be stored in the fridge for up to four days, though is at its best within the first two days. We would suggest covering the tops of the glasses or ramekins tightly with food wrap, so that the surface of the mousse doesn't dry out too much.

What are the four basic components of a mousse? ›

Four basic components of a Mousse

Mousse is a light and airy dessert made with eggs, sugar, heavy cream, and flavoring. All mousses have four basic components: aerated egg yolks, whipped egg whites, whipped cream, and a flavoring base.

What is the difference between chocolate mousse and Bavarian cream? ›

Bavarian creams differ from mousses in that they are usually made by thickening a custard sauce with gelatin, then folding in whipped cream (not whipped egg whites). Mousses can be served “standalone” in a dessert cup or used as filling for cakes and Charlottes.

How do you make chocolate mousse thicker? ›

Once it is thoroughly combined, pour it back into your heavy saucepan from before. Heat that over medium heat, again stirring constantly, until thickened. For an even thicker mousse, livestrong.com suggests adding in ½ tablespoon of cornstarch and ½ tablespoon of cold milk until reaching your desired consistency.

How to fix mousse that didn't set? ›

Mix a tablespoon of corn starch with water or milk and add it to liquidy mousse, heat it up it will thicken up.

How to make mousse firmer? ›

You can also use 25 percent more gelatin to stiffen a savory mousse. A basic savory mousse recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of gelatin to 3 tablespoons of water. To moderately thicken the mousse, use 1 1/2 teaspoons of gelatin and 4 1/2 tablespoons of water.

Can you over Whip mousse? ›

If you over-whip the cream, you'll end up with a grainy mousse (although you can try to remedy it by whisking in a few extra tablespoons of cream). An electric hand mixer and a nice big bowl are my tools of choice, but a big balloon whisk and a chilled mixing bowl work well, too.

What is traditional mousse made from? ›

Traditionally, mousse is made with gelatin. The gelatin should be bloomed in cool water or 5 minutes, then melted before adding to the base.

What does mousse do for men? ›

Mousse to structure your hair

“As a general rule, mousse is used to add hold and perfect definition to curly hair . It also maximises volume by coating the hair fibre. Furthermore, it can suit all types of hair.

What pairs well with mousse? ›

There's no better pairing than chocolate and strawberry. Add layers of soft, rich cake and creamy mousse, and you've got yourself a masterpiece.

How important is it to manage temperature in making chocolate mousse and why? ›

Bringing your chocolate mixture to a temperature of 35 to 40°C (for chocolate mousse based on crème anglaise) or 40 to 45°C (for chocolate mousse based on pâte à bombe) before folding it into a cooler mixture (e.g. whipped cream) is crucial to keep the chocolate from setting, which would create little lumps and give ...

Why is temperature important in mousse? ›

Mousse is both an easy and difficult dessert to make, just because the different components need to be at the correct temperatures when assembling. The melted chocolate should not be hot because the eggs will curdle when added. Nor should it be cold because the eggs won't incorporate smoothly.

Why did my mousse go watery? ›

Getting the wrong ratio of ingredients, grabbing the wrong kind, or mixing things in the wrong order can easily spell disaster though. One such disaster is a runny mousse. As mentioned earlier, the main attraction of a mousse is its wonderful texture.

How do you know if mousse is bad? ›

Consistency: Mousse should be light and airy; if it's watery or clumpy, it's likely expired. Odor: A sour or unusual smell is a clear sign that the product should not be used.

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