Chocolate Mousse Cake
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Servings
12-16
Prep Time
240 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
This visually appealing and flavorful Chocolate Mousse Cake is a sophisticated double-layered dessert perfect for dinner parties or special occasions. The bottom layer is a combination of dark chocolate, espresso powder, and egg whites, creating a tender yet firm base. The top layer is a smooth, airy mousse made with cocoa powder, melted chocolate, and whipped cream, offering a creamy and rich texture.
Designed to be prepared in advance, this Chocolate Mousse Cake allows you to focus on last-minute preparations for other dishes, making it an excellent choice for a hassle-free dessert. With optional ganache, you can add an extra touch of elegance to this already stunning cake. Enjoy each bite as the flavors meld together, creating a memorable dessert experience that is sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
6 Tbsp (¾ stick, 85g) unsalted butter
7 ounces (198g) chopped or shredded dark chocolate
¾ tsp instant espresso powder
4 large eggs, room temperature, separated
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
Pinch cream of tartar
Pinch salt
⅓ cup (70g) packed light brown sugar
5.5 Tbsp (78g) hot water
4 Tbsp (22g) dutch-processed cocoa powder
5 ounces (142g) shredded or chopped dark chocolate
1 ½ cups (340g) heavy cream, chilled
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
⅛ tsp salt
4 Tbsp (57g) butter
2 oz finely chopped or shredded dark chocolate
2 tsp corn syrup
Bottom Layer
Top Layer
Optional Ganache
Directions
Bottom Layer
For the bottom layer: heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease 9 ½” springform pan. Combine butter, chocolate, and espresso powder and heat until melted, stirring often. Let cool about 5 minutes. Whisk in egg yolks and vanilla.
Whip egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt on medium-low speed until foamy. Add half of sugar and whip until combined. Add remaining sugar, increase speed to high, and whip until soft peaks form. fold one-third of beaten egg whites into chocolate mixture to lighten. Using rubber spatula, fold in remaining egg whites until no white streaks remain. Carefully transfer batter to pan and smooth top with spatula.
Bake until cake is firm around edges and center springs back when pressed gently, 13 to 18 minutes. Let cake cool completely in pan before adding top layer.
Top Layer
Combine hot water and cocoa in small bowl; set aside. Melt chocolate. Let cool slightly, 3-5 minutes.
Whip cream, sugar, and salt on medium-low speed until foamy. Increase speed to high and whip until soft peaks form.
Whisk cocoa mixture into melted chocolate until smooth. Fold one-third of whipped cream into chocolate mixture to lighten. Using rubber spatula, fold in remaining whipped cream until no white streaks remain. Spoon mousse into pan over cooled cake, smooth top with offset spatula, and gently tap pan to release air bubbles.
Refrigerate cake until set, 3 hours or up to 2 days.
Run thin knife between cake and side of pan; remove side of pan. Run hot clean knife along outside of cake to smooth. Garnish top of cake with ganache and shaved chocolate if desired. Serve.
Recipe Note
This is a great dessert for a dinner party because you can make it up to two days in advance, leaving last minute preparations for other dishes
Tips for melting chocolate: Chocolate burns very easily so it is best not to place directly over a heat source. If using the stovetop, place chocolate in top pan of double boiler set over 1 inch barely simmering water, stirring chocolate often (or to jimmyrig a double boiler, set a large heatproof bowl over a saucepan, making sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl).
Alternatively you can melt it in the microwave. Just make sure you’re using a microwave safe bowl, set it on 50% power, and stir every 30 seconds until melted.