This Chocolate Mousse is the ultimate indulgent chocolate dessert and although it's super easy to make, it is seriously impressive too. A rich and creamy dark chocolate mousse, but still light and fluffy. Perfect for a dinner party as it can be made in advance, in individual servings.
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This incredibly rich and delicious chocolate mousse recipe looks far more complicated than it is. Just 10 minutes is all it takes to make, with a good arm workout with the whipping, and then just leave it to set.
It might be sickly (in a good way), but you will definitely want a second portion! It makes the best dinner party dessert. We have tested this recipe many, many times (it's a tough job sometimes) and this is now perfected.
If you are looking for some other impressive dinner party desserts, then why not try our zingy Lemon Posset, easy Chocolate Pots, tasty Grilled Peaches or impressive Chocolate Pie?
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Why You Will Love It
- Rich and intense chocolate dessert - If you LOVE chocolate, then this is definitely one for you.
- Can be made in advance - It takes just 15 minutes to make and then it can set in the fridge until you are ready to eat it.
- Great for entertaining - These look and taste seriously impressive, making them the perfect dinner party dessert, and everyone gets their own individual portion.
- Adaptable - We have given options below for different flavours, including a version with alcohol.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Dark chocolate - The best chocolate to use for a chocolate mousse is dark chocolate, and quality is of course important. We went for a 70% dark, as we didn't want it too intense and because we were serving it to guests and we know not everyone is a fan of dark chocolate.
- Egg white - These are essential to getting the mousse light and fluffy. They are whipped up in to a foam and folded with the other ingredients. Don't be concerned about eating raw egg in this recipe. Of course there is a risk, but in the UK we don't consider it a risk. They are used in mayonnaise and most people don't have a problem with that.
- Cream - The key to this easy chocolate mousse being light and fluffy is using just a little cream. Too much creamy and it will have more of a custard consistency and we want light and fluffy. We used double cream - make sure the cream you are using can be whipped and it is full fat.
- Sugar - We used caster sugar. You won't need as much if you aren't using a chocolate less than 70%.
- Vanilla - This adds a nice warmth and helps to bring the other flavours out. We have given other flavour options below.
Variations
The elements of a homemade chocolate mousse are pretty simple, so there isn't too much to play around with. However, there are some other ways that you can flavour it.
Alcohol - Who doesn't love a grown-up dessert? Especially if you are making this for a dinner party dessert. Swap the vanilla for 2 teaspoons of dark rum or Baileys instead.
Coffee - We adore a coffee dessert, and it's easy to add into this mousse recipe. Make a couple of tablespoons of espresso and add to the melted chocolate.
Flavour - Orange or mint are good flavour combinations with chocolate. Instead of using vanilla extract, you could use mint or orange instead.
How to Make Chocolate Mousse
- Step 1: Break the chocolate into chunks and put into a glass bowl over a pan of water (a). Simmer the water so that the chocolate melts (b). Take off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Step 2: Add the egg whites to a large mixing bowl (a). Whisk until stiff and peaks form when the whisk is removed (b). Add half the sugar and mix. Add the remaining sugar and mix again.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl add the cream (a). Whisk until smooth and stiff (b).
- Step 4: Add a spoonful of the whisked egg to the melted chocolate and gently fold it in.
- Step 5: Add the folded chocolate mixture to the remaining egg white and fold it all together.
- Step 6: Add the whipped cream and gently fold in.
- Step 7: Divide between ramekins or small cups and refrigerate for 2 hours.
What to Serve with Chocolate Mousse
This is a full dessert on it's own, and you really don't need anything else with it. However, for presentation reasons we have a couple of suggestions.
If you wanted a contrast in colour, then whip up some extra cream and add a dollop on to each pot - the contrast of the white and brown will look nice.
We like to add some berries because not only do they add a nice pop of colour to the chocolate mousse, but they lighten it up a bit so it doesn't feel as heavy. We then grated some extra dark chocolate on top because why not make it even more chocolatey?
If you wanted a bit of crunch on top, for a change in texture, then why not serve it up with some homemade biscuits? Our Gingernut Biscuits have a lovely crunch to them.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Make sure to gently heat the dark chocolate when you are melting it. You want the water to be barely simmering when the bowl of chocolate is over it. We wouldn't recommend using a microwave to melt the chocolate, as it can break and separate.
- This is a great recipe to make if you have saved egg whites from making scrambled eggs. As the best scrambled eggs need extra yolks added to them.
- You can serve this easy chocolate mousse recipe in pretty much anything, but keep in mind that the portions are small due to the intense flavour. We used little ramekins, but a tea cup or espresso cup would work. Or even a champagne glass if you want to be fancy.
- For the perfect texture, you need to let the mousse sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Overnight is best though.
- Make sure you allow the melted chocolate to cool a little before adding to the egg whites, as you don't want the eggs to cook.
- You will need to fold, rather than stir, the ingredients in to ensure that you have a fluffy mousse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this makes a really delicious frosting alternative. Leave it to set for 2 hours and then it is spreadable texture to put on a cake.
You can, and it will have more of a milky flavour and less of a chocolate flavour. You won't get that intense colour either. The darker the chocolate used, the more chocolatey it will taste, but less sweet it will be.
You can store it in the fridge for up to a week, however it will be best up to 2 days left in the fridge. We do not recommend freezing it.
More Dessert Recipes
If you've tried this chocolate mousse recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Easy Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients
- 150 g (5.25 oz) Chocolate - Dark
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 3 Egg white
- 50 g (0.25 cups) Caster sugar
- 100 ml (0.5 cups) Double (heavy) cream
Instructions
- Break 150 g Chocolate into chunks and put into a glass bowl over a pan of water. Simmer the water so that the chocolate melts. Take off the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract.
- Add 3 Egg white to a large mixing bowl. Whisk until stiff and peaks form when the whisk is removed. Add half of the 50 g Caster sugar and mix. Add the remaining sugar and mix again.
- In a separate bowl add 100 ml Double (heavy) cream. Whisk until smooth and stiff.
- Add a spoonful of the whisked egg to the melted chocolate and gently fold it in.
- Add the folded chocolate mixture to the remaining egg white and fold it all together.
- Add the whipped cream and gently fold in.
- Divide between ramekins or small cups and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure to gently heat the dark chocolate when you are melting it. You want the water to be barely simmering when the bowl of chocolate is over it. We wouldn't recommend using a microwave to melt the chocolate, as it can break and separate.
- This is a great recipe to make if you have saved egg whites from making scrambled eggs. As the best scrambled eggs need extra yolks added to them.
- You can serve this easy chocolate mousse recipe in pretty much anything, but keep in mind that the portions are small due to the intense flavour. We used little ramekins, but a tea cup or espresso cup would work. Or even a champagne glass if you want to be fancy.
- For the perfect texture, you need to let the mousse sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Overnight is best though.
- Make sure you allow the melted chocolate to cool a little before adding to the egg whites, as you don't want the eggs to cook.
- You will need to fold, rather than stir, the ingredients in to ensure that you have a fluffy mousse.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
gunjan says
This is the best chocolate mousse I have ever had. So soft and fluffy with the right texture and perfect sweetness.
Gina Abernathy says
My family always looks for something sweet after dinner. This was the perfect dessert and they loved it!
Tara says
Oh yum! This definitely is the ultimate indulgent chocolate dessert. I love that light and fluffy texture.
Irena says
Love 5-ingredient recipes and for something so simple, this mousse is very decadent and delicious. Recommend!
Sisley White - Sew White says
Love chocolate mousse and this makes it so easy to make at home.
Renee | The Good Hearted Woman says
So creamy and velvety! Absolutely decadent, especially with a little Bailey's swapped in.
Ai says
So easy to make and so creamy! Delicious!
MJ says
My new favorite chocolate snack! So delicious and easy to make!
Cam says
This chocolate mousse was so delicious!! The recipe was easy to follow and even easier to make.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
This chocolate mousse looks so creamy and delicious. Such a great idea for using up egg whites too.
Ieva says
Super easy and super flavoursome! The mousse had wonderful light but soft and gooey texture and it wasn't too sweet (we used really rich dark chocolate too)! Topped with some toasted almond flakes, it was a real treat!
Claudia Lamascolo says
This was so easy and great directions it was a huge hit and everyone loved this dessert!
Andrea says
This chocolate mousse looks so creamy and decadent. Can't believe it's this easy to make. Definitely impressive.