Chocolate Mousse Recipe
If you are having guests over and need a make-ahead dessert that will impress but is easy enough for any home cook, chocolate mousse is one of my go-to recommendations. It’s only 5 ingredients, takes maybe 20 minutes of your time, and can be made a couple days in advance and refrigerated until you are ready to serve them. Plus, you can serve them individual glasses or small jars with a few berries or chocolate curls on top so they look fancy and like you spent hours on them!
What is Chocolate Mousse?
Chocolate mousse is a luscious French dessert made from melted chocolate, whipped cream, egg yolks, and sugar, creating a velvety, airy texture. The melted chocolate is folded into whipped cream to achieve a light, fluffy consistency. Refrigeration sets the mousse, intensifying its rich, creamy flavor. We love our classic French dessert recipes like this chocolate mousse! Some of our other favorites are Cream Puffs, an Authentic French Fruit Tart, and French Macarons.
Why You’ll Love this Chocolate Mousse Recipe
This is one of the best desserts to make ahead of time. You can make it up to 4 days in advance. When you are ready to serve, simply add a dollop of sweetened whipped cream and chocolate curls on top. Keep the elegance casual by piping or spooning the mousse into half-pint mason jars, or up the wow factor by using fancy glass dessert cups.
What is Chocolate Mousse made of?
Isn’t it incredible how something so divine can be made from so few simple ingredients? This easy chocolate mousse only has 5 ingredients, unless you are counting some addition cream or berries to garnish at the end.
Egg yolks: This key ingredient for chocolate mousse thickens the mousse up and adds richness without any eggy taste. Use leftover egg whites for making a pavlova or macarons! Sugar: Simple granulated sugar is all you’ll need for this recipe! You don’t even need too much, as long as you are using semi-sweet chocolate. Cream: The heavy whipping cream is divided and used in two steps of this recipe. Some of it is heated and used to melt the chocolate and temper the eggs. The reserved cream gets whipped into stiff peaks and folded in to form a light and airy chocolate mousse. Chocolate: Chopped semi-sweet chocolate melts best, although chocolate chips can be used. I recommend using the best quality chocolate you can find for this recipe. Vanilla extract: I added my homemade vanilla extract which brings out the sweet flavors of this chocolate mousse.
How to Make Chocolate Mousse
Easy Chocolate Mousse Recipe Tips
Don’t scramble the egg yolks. Temper them by adding a small amount of hot cream to the eggs to gently bring up their temperature without scrambling them. Freezing: You can freeze chocolate mousse for up to 2 months. It freezes best in individual portions. Let it thaw completely in the fridge or on the counter before enjoying, but do not attempt to heat it in the microwave. Don’t burn the cream. Avoid cooking the cream too quickly over too high of heat, which can cause it to scald on the bottom of the pan.
How to Store Mousse
Chocolate mousse should be stored in the refrigerator. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container before placing it in the fridge. It’s best to consume it within 2-3 days to enjoy its freshness and flavor.
Can you Freeze Chocolate Mousse?
You can freeze this chocolate mousse recipe for up to 2 months. Be sure to cover it well with a protective layer of plastic wrap before freezing to protect it from freezer burn. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then sit on the counter for 30 minutes before enjoying. If you top it with a dollop of fresh homemade whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings or curls, no one will even know it was frozen!
More like this Easy Chocolate Mousse
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream Chocolate Cream Pie Raspberry Chocolate Tart
Mississippi Mud Pie
Irresistible Mississippi Mud Brownies
Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream
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