This is the ultimate chocolate dessert. Rich and creamy, but not too heavy - it goes right to the heart of every chocolate fan. I adapted this recipe from my Nana's recipe and a recipe by Tyler Florence
Course Dessert
Prep Time 30 minutesminutes
Total Time 4 hourshours30 minutesminutes
Servings 8people
Ingredients
6ouncesdark chocolate chipsI like the Aldi Baker's Corner 60%
2tablespoonsbutterat room temperature
1teaspoonespresso powderoptional
3largeeggs
2teaspoonsvanilla extractseparated
1/2 teaspooncream of tarter
1/4cupsugarplus 2 tablespoons of sugar
1/2cupheavy whipping cream
Instructions
Melt the chocolate
Grab your favorite dark chocolate chips. I've discovered the Baker's Corner brand at Aldi. Delicious and a total bargain at about $1.79 a bag. (based on the ingredients and what I could find on the Aldi website, I believe they are gluten free as well)
Place the 6 ounces of dark chocolate chips, the butter and the espresso powder (if using) in a glass bowl above a pan of boiling water or in a double boiler
Begin to stir the mixture as it starts to melt together
Stir until the chocolate and butter are completely melted and the mixture has a silky consistency - it will take 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 5-7 minutes
Separate and prepare the eggs
Separate the egg yolks and whites into 2 medium bowls
Add the vanilla to the egg yolks and whisk vigorously until the yolks are light and well mixed - about 2 minutes
Add the cream of tarter to the egg whites and use a hand mixer to begin beating the eggs
Once the whites begin to stiffen, slowly add the sugar and continue to beat until soft peaks form. The whites will look nice and shiny too from the sugar.
Temper the Chocolate
Take a spoonful of the slightly cooled chocolate mixture and mix it into the egg yolks and vanilla - this is called tempering the chocolate - allowing it to mix without cooking the eggs
Gently stir the chocolate into the egg yolk mixture
Now mix the egg yolk/chocolate mixture into the bowl containing the rest of the chocolate and stir to combine
Whip the heavy cream
Pour the cream into a medium size bowl and grab your hand mixer (with clean, dry blades). I sometimes make extra to put on top of the mousse - plus who doesn't like extra whipped cream?
Use the hand mixer to whip the heavy cream adding a couple tablespoons of sugar and a touch of vanilla once it begins to stiffen
Put it all together - finally!
Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the chocolate/egg yolk mixture. Don't mix too viciously as it will deflate the mousse
Keep folding just until the egg whites are absorbed into the mixture
Add the whipped cream to the chocolate mixture (it just keeps getting better doesn't it?)
Gently fold the whipped cream into the mousse until it's absorbed and the whole mixture is smooth and lovely. Feel free to dip your finger in and taste - YUM!
Divide the mousse into small cups or bowls and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. I love to use tiny demitasse cups mostly because they are super cute. But also because a little of this rich, delicious mousse goes a long way.
Serve to your favorite people and enjoy! Feel free to add additional whipped cream and/or chocolate shavings to the top if you like.