Rich and Decadent Chocolate Mousse is an elegant, airy dessert that will satisfy all your chocolate cravings. This impressive chocolate dessert is perfect to make ahead of time and serve to your guests at a dinner party or celebration.
Rich and Decadent Chocolate Mousse Dessert
I've always considered chocolate mousse one of those ultra fancy desserts that I only eat at restaurants on special occasions. That's what I always thought until I made it at home!
Making chocolate mousse isn't difficult, but it does take a few steps. It is totally doable for the at-home cook! I'm already planning the next time I'll make this mousse.
Homemade Chocolate Mousse Ingredients
The ingredients are simple but very decadent!
- bittersweet chocolate
- butter
- egg whites - learn all about separating eggs!
- granulated sugar
- heavy cream
How To Make Chocolate Mousse
- Melt chocolate
- When chocolate is completely melted, mix in butter
- Whip egg whites until peaks are formed. Mix in sugar
- Whip heavy cream until peaks are formed
- Fold egg whites into chocolate
- Fold whipped cream into chocolate
- Serve or cover and refrigerate for later
How do you fold egg whites into the mixture?
This recipe needs you to fold egg whites and whipped cream into chocolate. This folding mixture helps preserve all the light fluffiness you've whipped into the egg whites and cream. If you were to whisk or stir the mixture, you would lose all that great fluffiness.
To fold you need a large, firm spatula. Place spatula in the center, push down to the bottom and pull spatula along the bottom and up the side pulling up mixture onto the top. Rotate bowl a quarter of a turn and repeat. After a full rotation around bowl, swipe spatula around the bowl. Continue until fully mixed.
Folding takes a bit of patience, but don't give up before it is fully combined. You shouldn't see any white streaks or speaks when fully combined.
Making Chocolate Mousse ahead of time
Once mixed you can portion into individual containers or cover and refrigerate for later. I like to place portions into serving dishes, cover and refrigerate them. When ready to serve I remove from the fridge about 15 minutes prior to serving. I then top it with fresh raspberries and whipped cream.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe
- Use Quality Chocolate: Choose good-quality bittersweet chocolate for the best flavor.
- Properly Melt Chocolate: Melt the chocolate gently using a double boiler to avoid burning.
- Whip Egg Whites Correctly: Whip egg whites until soft peaks form, then gradually add sugar to maintain their structure.
- Whip Cream to Soft Peaks: Whip heavy cream to soft peaks separately before folding into the mixture.
- Fold Gently: Carefully fold the egg whites and whipped cream into the chocolate to keep the mousse airy.
- Chill Before Serving: Allow the mousse to chill in the refrigerator for a firmer texture.
- Garnish Simply: Add toppings like whipped cream, fresh berries, or shaved chocolate for an elegant presentation.
How to serve this Chocolate Mousse Dessert
My favorite method is to serve in small cordial glasses. This chocolate mousse is rich and for me, a smaller serving is better. Plus I think they look fancier served in small portions. If you like larger portions you could also use these pudding glasses.
How should I garnish chocolate mousse?
There are many options for garnishing mousse. Some options include -
- Whipped cream
- Fresh raspberries
- Fresh strawberries
- Shaved chocolate
- Small chocolate candy
Homemade Chocolate Mousse Recipe FAQs
Mousse is lighter and fluffier than pudding. Pudding is usually cooked to thicken the pudding mixture. Mousse is thickened by whipping the cream and egg whites and then folding them into the melted chocolate.
This chocolate mousse is not cooked. The chocolate is melted over a double boiler and then it is mixed with the other ingredients. This recipe does use uncooked egg whites. I use eggs from chickens we raise. If you are concerned about using raw egg whites, pasteurized eggs can be used.
I put the mousse into a plastic zip-top bag and snipped off a corner. I then pipped the mousse into the glasses. This was easy peasy and almost no mess!
Other great desserts
I have a great collection of desserts. You might also want to try -
- Flourless Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake
- Lemon Bars
- Chocolate Cream Pie
- Raspberry Mousse
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
If you loved this recipe you'll LOVE all the others in this category. Check out all my dessert recipes here!
Homemade Chocolate Mousse Dessert
Ingredients
- 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate pieces
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 egg whites
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
Melt Chocolate
- Place chocolate in the top of a double boiler. Heat until chocolate is completely melted. Remove from heat10 ounces bittersweet chocolate pieces
- Mix in butter with one tablespoon at a time. Mix with a whisk until butter is completely combined.2 tablespoons butter
Whip Egg Whites
- Put egg whites in a bowl. Mix with a mixer at high speed until egg whites form soft peaks.4 egg whites
- With mixer running, slowing add sugar while mixing. If you add sugar too fast, your egg whites could deflate.¼ cup granulated sugar
Whipped Cream
- Put heavy cream in a different bowl. Mix with a mixer at high speed until soft peaks are formed.1 cup heavy cream
Assemble Mousse
- Add ⅓ of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Use a large spatula and fold egg whites into chocolate. Do not stir mixture or egg whites will deflate.
- Add remaining egg whites and continue folding until no white remains.
- Add whipped cream and fold gently until mousse does not show any white streaks and is one consistent color.
- Place into individual serving dishes and serve or cover and refrigerate.
Notes
- Use Quality Chocolate: Choose good-quality bittersweet chocolate for the best flavor.
- Properly Melt Chocolate: Melt the chocolate gently using a double boiler to avoid burning.
- Whip Egg Whites Correctly: Whip egg whites until soft peaks form, then gradually add sugar to maintain their structure.
- Whip Cream to Soft Peaks: Whip heavy cream to soft peaks separately before folding into the mixture.
- Fold Gently: Carefully fold the egg whites and whipped cream into the chocolate to keep the mousse airy.
- Chill Before Serving: Allow the mousse to chill in the refrigerator for a firmer texture.
- Garnish Simply: Add toppings like whipped cream, fresh berries, or shaved chocolate for an elegant presentation.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
This is everything I'm craving today, smooth, creamy, decadent and lucious! Yum! Take care.
Kathy says
Some days we just have to have something a little decadent!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
A favorite dessert at our house for sure Kathy! So rich and decadent and such a treat! Delicious!
Kathy says
I think I'm going to be eating this a whole lot now that I can make it at home!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
I've always wanted to make it but never did because, like you, I thought it was too fancy and difficult! Thank you for showing it is doable and with such a delicious result!!
Kathy says
It is so doable!
Kathy says
This really can be made at home - give it a try! The results are so tasty!!!
Adina says
So fluffy and delicious! Chocolate mousse is one of those famous recipes (like scones, burritos, osso bucco or cordon bleu) that I have never made yet although I have been meaning to do so for years. Your recipe is so simple and nice.
Kathy says
This is an easy one to tackle with delicious results!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
This looks so creamy, dreamy and airy! I can totally see why you're planning on making again soon...I would too! So perfect for entertaining too 🙂
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Kathy, totally drooling over this chocolate mousse! It looks so light and heavenly!
David @ Spiced says
You are totally right that chocolate mousse is one of those fancy desserts that makes everyone go "oooo"! But it really is a simple recipe to make. I need to try out your recipe ASAP as it looks so light and creamy!
Fred G says
i can almost taste to mousse right now.
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says
Chocolate mousse is such a divine dessert! And I love how you have piped it in to those gorgeous glasses - such lovely presentation!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Yum! You can just see how light and fluffy this mousse is! A sweet treat for a cold Monday sounds just perfect to me!!