Chocolate Mousse
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Looking for a dessert that’s both impressive and easy? This chocolate mousse recipe delivers rich, silky chocolate goodness in just 20 minutes—the perfect treat for any special occasion!
Chocolate mousse, or mousse au chocolat, is one of the easiest French desserts to make. Seriously, if you have a microwave, a hand mixer, and a rubber spatula, you can whip up homemade chocolate mousse that rivals any French restaurant’s version—in just 20 minutes! This recipe from Tyler Florence is virtually foolproof. I’ve tried adding a hint of coffee or a splash of booze to enhance the flavor, and while both versions are tasty, the family consensus is that plain chocolate is best. Keep it simple!
For serving the mousse, you can use pretty juice glasses, martini glasses, champagne flutes, small bowls, or espresso cups. If you’re hosting a party and want to give your guests a small taste, serve the mousse in Asian-style porcelain soup spoons. Just remember, chocolate mousse needs to set in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving, so plan accordingly.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need To Make Chocolate Mousse
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness to the chocolate mixture.
- Semisweet chocolate: Provides a deep, luscious chocolate flavor to the mousse; additional can be shavings added for serving. Since this recipe has very few ingredients, it’s important to use good quality chocolate; its flavor will shine through. I like semi-sweet chocolate but if you prefer your mousse with a darker chocolate flavor, use bittersweet (the higher the cacao percentage, the less sweet the chocolate).
- Large eggs: Essential for structure and richness; yolks create a creamy base while whipped whites add lightness.
- Cream of tartar: Helps stabilize the egg whites for a better texture.
- Sugar: Sweetens the mousse; a bit is added to the egg whites and some to the whipped cream for balanced sweetness.
- Heavy cream: Contributes to the mousse’s rich, creamy texture, with additional heavy cream whipped for a light topping.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor that enhances the chocolate.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
To begin, place the butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Break the chocolate into small pieces directly into the bowl (no need to chop it first and dirty a cutting board).
Microwave it in 20-second intervals, stirring between each bout of heat, until the chocolate is about 75% melted. Stir, allowing the residual heat in the bowl to melt the chocolate completely. This prevents the chocolate from scorching.
(Alternatively, place the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and place over a saucepan containing about 1 inch of barely simmering water. Stir with a wooden spoon until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.)
Let the mixture cool for a few minutes, then add the egg yolks one at a time.
Whisk until smooth after each addition and then aside.
In another medium bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form (the peaks should be just starting to hold, and will melt back into themselves after a second).
Gradually beat in 1/4 cup of the sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form (the peaks will stand straight up when the beaters are lifted from the mixture).
Using a large rubber spatula, fold the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture.
Mix only until uniform, then set aside.
In another bowl, beat the heavy cream until it begins to thicken up. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and the vanilla.
Continue beating until the cream holds medium peaks.
Add the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture.
Gently fold the cream into the chocolate mixture, making sure not to mix any more than necessary.
Divide the mousse between 6 individual glasses, cover, and chill until set, at least 2 hours.
Up to a few hours before serving, whip the cream until it begins to thicken. Add the sugar and whip to medium peaks. Dollop the whipped cream over the mousse and top with chocolate shavings.
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Note: Like tiramisu or homemade mayonnaise, chocolate mousse is made with raw eggs. If that is a concern, try to find pasteurized eggs. Pasteurized eggs have been briefly exposed to heat to destroy any potential bacteria. Whole Foods usually carries them but call your local store to be sure before making a special trip. (Note: eating raw eggs is not advisable for pregnant women, babies, the elderly, or anyone with a compromised immune system.)
Chocolate Mousse
Looking for a dessert that’s both impressive and easy? This chocolate mousse recipe delivers rich, silky chocolate goodness in just 20 minutes—the perfect treat for any special occasion!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, best quality
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature, yolks and whites separated
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream, cold
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For Serving
- ½ cup heavy cream, cold
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Place the butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Break the chocolate into small pieces directly into the bowl. Microwave it in 20-second intervals, stirring between each bout of heat, until the chocolate is about 75% melted. Stir, allowing the residual heat in the bowl to melt the chocolate completely. (Alternatively, place the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and place over a saucepan containing about 1 inch of barely simmering water. Stir with a wooden spoon until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.) Let the mixture cool for a few minutes, then whisk in the egg yolks one at a time, mixing until smooth after each addition. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat the egg whites on medium-high speed until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form (the peaks should be just starting to hold, and will melt back into themselves after a second). Gradually beat in ¼ cup of the sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form (the peaks will stand straight up when the beaters are lifted from the mixture). Using a large rubber spatula, fold the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture until uniform. Set aside.
- In another bowl, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until it begins to thicken up. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and the vanilla and continue beating until the cream holds medium peaks (when you lift the beaters or whisk out of the bowl, the peaks will slightly droop down, but they won't lose their shape entirely). Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Be sure it is fully incorporated but don't mix any more than necessary. Divide the mousse between 6 individual glasses, cover, and chill until set, at least 2 hours.
- Up to a few hours before serving, whip the cream until it begins to thicken up. Add the sugar and whip to medium peaks. Dollop the whipped cream over the mousse and top with chocolate shavings.
- Make-Ahead Instructions: Mousse can be made up to 1 day ahead of time. Cover with plastic wrap and keep chilled in the refrigerator. Add whipped cream topping and chocolate shavings up to a few hours before serving.
- Note: Chocolate mousse is made with raw eggs. If that is a concern, try to find pasteurized eggs. Pasteurized eggs have been briefly exposed to heat to destroy any potential bacteria. Whole Foods usually carries them but call your local store to be sure before making a special trip. (Note: eating raw eggs is not advisable for pregnant women, babies, the elderly, or anyone with a compromised immune system.)
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (6 servings)
- Calories: 415
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated fat: 19 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Sugar: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Cholesterol: 163 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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Can you combine bittersweet and semisweet for more depth of chocolate? If so should the sugar be adjusted?
Sure. You can even use all bittersweet chocolate without any modifications. Hope you enjoy!
Considering making this for a dinner for 8. Have you ever doubled the recipe or would you recommend making two batches
Hi Eugenia, I think it would be fine to make 1 double batch. Hope everyone enjoys!
Oh man, what a disaster and waste of expensive chocolate. When I added the egg yolks to the butter and chocolate it all seized up and turned into a lumpy greasy mess. Not sure what I did wrong. I’ve made souffles and custards before successfully but this was my first try at mousse.
Hi Chrys, I’m sorry you had a problem with this. It’s possible that your chocolate was too warm and your eggs too cold. This could cause the eggs to seize up when added. I would let the chocolate mixture cool to room temperature and bring your eggs to room temperature if you try this again.
I made this for Valentines Day dessert. My husband who has traveled the world dining in fine dining restaurants said it’s the best he has had! I want to make it for St Patrick’s Day. I know you have not tested it, but just wondering if you have any thoughts about replacing some of the heavy cream with Bailey’s Irish Cream.
So glad you both enjoyed it, Rochelle! I think the taste would be delicious but I don’t think you’ll be able to whip the cream properly if you cut it with Baileys. However, you can make the whipped cream first and then add a tablespooon or so of Baileys.
You could warm the bailys up in the microwave and drip it into the chocolate and egg/ butter mixture like in a ganache. Trick is not to get it too warm. I didn’t like the consistency that my egg/chocolate mixture made last night when I made this (probably eggs too cold), so I fixed it up with hot milk; made it come back to being glossy, creamy and smooth chocolate ganache, loose enough to incorporate into the egg whites and then whipped cream. I easily added 2-3 tablespoons of hot milk, so you could surely add a quarter of a cup of bailys at that stage.
Wow! Quite delicious! It was a last minute dessert choice for dinner last night, and my husband and our friends were impressed. Will definitely add this to my dessert recipe bank.
A winner for our dinner party! Not hard to follow and results were fantastic. I added fresh raspberries instead of more chocolate shavings and I don’t think I’ll ever do it any other way! Thank you Jenn!
Hello Jenn,
I don’t have the cream tartar. Can I remove or sub with lemon juice? If so how much ?
Thank you so much
Yes that will work. I would use an equal amount.
I’ve made this recipe several times and it’s been a big success every time. The instructions are clear and if you follow them closely you will get a consistently excellent result.
I wonder if this recipe could be used to make a layer of mousse for a cake?
I’m somewhat surprised and amused at some of comments of disgruntled reviewers who seem to be more upset about the fact that chocolate mousse is the way it is (yes it is sweet, yes there are raw eggs, yes you have to pay attention to technique, that’s the whole deal with any proper chocolate mousse) and are somehow blaming the author.
So glad you’ve enjoyed this! Yes, I think you could use this in between layers in a cake. 🙂
This is a wonderful recipe, it turned out extremely well. Really enjoyed it, thank you.
Susan
Do you chill in in a fridge or freezer
Hi Jacob, it should be chilled in the fridge. Hope you enjoy!
How many cups does this recipe make?
Hi Jenna, I don’t know exactly, but I’d guesstimate it would make 4.5 – 5 cups of mousse. Hope that helps!
I’m a professional baker and in one of the bakeries I used to work at we made a chocolate mousse recipe to fill out cakes and always froze the leftovers. Then we would simply defrost in the fridge, mix it a little and it was good to go but from what I remember, the recipe only used yolks and whipped cream, no egg whites. I want to try this recipe to fill out cakes too but I’m not sure it will freeze the same. If anyone has any insight into this or if by chance has frozen some of the recipe, please let me know what were your results! The chocolate I use is fairly expensive where I’m from and I want to avoid any waste.
Hi Michelle, I’m not sure how the texture would be after being frozen, so I wouldn’t recommend it — sorry!
May I substitute milk chocolate for the semi sweet?
Hi MJ, I wouldn’t recommend it because you need to tweak the amount of sugar as well and not sure that you would get predictable results. Sorry!