Totally Decadent Chocolate Mousse Dessert Recipe

Calling all chocolate lovers, this Decadent Chocolate Mousse is for you. It’s sweet, creamy and rich and, of course, bursting with chocolate flavor.

Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate

I’m on a big chocolate kick right now. I recently made this awesome chocolate cake, which disappeared pretty quickly! And now, I’m craving more.

I was putting together a nice date night meal and I was looking for the perfect dessert. Something a little lighter, but still a bit of a decadent dessert at heart!

I had some milk chocolate pudding around the house, but that just wasn’t going to cut it. What I really wanted was something a little more upscale, but still easy to make.

I thought a tasty, homemade totally decadent chocolate mousse would be just the thing to satisfy my chocolate cravings and a great finishing dish for the evening.

Making the Totally Decadent Chocolate Mousse

Now, a classic chocolate mousse recipe uses just four ingredients – bittersweet chocolate, eggs, butter and sugar. Simple and delicious.

I also wanted to keep this as an easy chocolate mousse recipe, so I have a total of only five ingredients needed. All of which you can find in local grocery stores.

I first melt semi-sweet chocolate chips, heavy whipping cream and salt. While that cools, I separate the eggs into two small bowls – yolks and whites.

The yolks and sugar are combined and then mixed back into the melted chocolate mixture. That serves as your creamy base with a rich chocolate flavor.

Then, to lighten up the texture, I whip egg whites and sugar together until soft peaks form. Once you have those soft peaks, you fold the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture and you are ready to cool in the fridge.

I suggest pouring the mousse into individual serving glasses or bowls prior to refrigerating (see below). Make sure that it has at least an hour to set up in the refrigerator before you serve it.  

What’s the Best Way to Serve Chocolate Mousse?

I personally prefer pouring the mousse into a martini glass prior to putting into the fridge. They’re fun and a little fancy! Perfect for a dinner party or other special occasions. 

When I’m ready to serve, I garnish with what I have available in the house. Some of my favorite toppings include fresh berries, whipped cream, semisweet chocolate chips, chocolate shavings and fresh mint.

You can also use small, decorative bowls if you have those around the house. Simply pour the mouse mixture into the small bowls and refrigerate. Garnish as outlined above.

The one thing I do try and avoid is just putting the whole mousse mixture into a large bowl and refrigerating. You still have a great tasting, silky smooth chocolate mousse, but it just doesn’t look as pretty when you scoop it out and place it in your serving bowl or glass.

Can You Make Chocolate Mousse Ahead of Time?

This is the perfect make-ahead dessert. Simply make the mousse and put it into the serving bowls or glasses you are using. 

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. You can do this 1-2 days before you serve.

This is a recipe that I do not recommend freezing. You lose the lightness of the texture and the ability to present it in a fun and pleasing-to-the eye way. Best to make it day of, or day before.

Time to Make the Mousse!

Whether you are preparing for a date night, family get-together or fancy dinner party, this chocolate mousse is sure to be a hit. It has the appearance of a very fancy dessert, but you don’t have to tell anyone that it wasn’t that hard to make!

It takes just a few simple ingredients and a little time to bring this dessert together. If you’re trying to bring out your inner Julia Child, this is a great recipe to get started!

Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

• A double boiler works best to melt the chocolate and cream mixture. If you don’t have one, it works just as well to put a small mixing bowl on top of a pot of simmering water.
• Make sure the water stays at a simmer. You want the chocolate to melt gradually into the cream.
• Be careful not to beat the egg whites for too long, you want them to form soft peaks, not stiff picks. The soft peaks will incorporate better into the chocolate mixture rather than stiff peaks.
• Make sure you allow the mousse to chill for at least an hour to get the right consistancy.
• I like to garnish with either raspberries or strawberries. A dollop of whipped cream would also make a nice finish (my preference is fresh whipped cream, but a non-dairy whipped topping such as cool whip can be used in its place).

Ingredients Needed to Make Totally Decadent Chocolate Mousse

Full instructions can be found below in the recipe card

• Heavy whipping cream
• Salt
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Sugar
• Eggs

How to Make Chocolate Mousse

• Combine the cream, chocolate and salt in a double boiler over a couple inches of simmering water. If you don’t have a double boiler, a mixing bowl placed over a pot of water works just fine.
• Stir constantly until chocolate has completely melted.
• Allow chocolate mixture to cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, separate eggs.
• Beat egg yolks and 3 tbsp of sugar together until creamy and light lemon yellow in color.
• Once the chocolate has cooled off to room temperature, slowly pour 1/3 of the mixture into the egg mixture in a slow steady stream, stirring constantly until well mixed.
• Pour the chocolate/egg mixture into the rest of the chocolate, mixing well. Cool completely.
• Meanwhile, beat the egg whites and the remaining 3 tbsp of sugar in a separate bowl until soft peaks form.  
• Gently fold the egg white mixture into the melted chocolate mixture until just combined.
• Spoon mixture into serving glasses and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
• Garnish as desired and serve.

Make it a Date Night and Add a Fun Drink

• Cranberry-Raspberry Champagne Cocktail
• Rosemary Orange Ice Tea
• Rosemary Infused Cranberry Bourbon Martini
• Cranberry Vodka Spritzer
• London Fog – Earl Grey Latte
• Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
• Aperol Spritz Cocktail

ENJOY!