Chocolate Mousse

Written by
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
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Kristina Vanni
Updated 03/01/21
Chocolate Mousse

The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Chilling Time: 4 hrs
Total: 4 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
818 Calories
69g Fat
37g Carbs
15g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 818
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 69g 88%
Saturated Fat 41g 206%
Cholesterol 345mg 115%
Sodium 122mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 37g 13%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Protein 15g
Calcium 146mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Chocolate mousse is the quintessential romantic French dessert. It is the ideal treat to offer at the end of a special meal because it can be prepared in advance and kept in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

The name "mousse" comes from the French word meaning "foam." The light and airy texture of this classic dessert comes from whipping air into cream and gently folding it into the chocolate mixture.

For the best chocolate mousse, it is important to use the highest quality chocolate available. The better the chocolate, the better the mousse. Semisweet or bittersweet chocolate is preferred because it will impart a rich flavor without being too sweet.

This recipe incorporates a splash of cognac or coffee liqueur into the chocolate mixture for added panache. Brewed espresso also works well if you prefer a non-alcoholic option.

Ingredients

  • Chocolate Mousse:
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups heavy cream, divided
  • 8 oz. chopped bittersweet chocolate
  • 1 tablespoon cognac, coffee liqueur, or brewed espresso
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Topping and Garnish:
  • Whipped cream
  • Chocolate curls or chocolate shavings

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Chocolate Mousse ingredients

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  2. In a large mixing bowl, whip the egg yolks and granulated sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes.

    In a large mixing bowl, whip the egg yolks and granulated sugar

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  3. In a small saucepan, gently warm 3/4 cup of the heavy cream over low heat until it just begins to steam. Do not boil. (Return the remaining 1 1/4 cups of heavy cream to the refrigerator until ready to use in step 8.)

    In a small saucepan, gently warm heavy cream

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  4. While whisking the egg mixture, slowly pour half of the warm cream into the egg mixture to temper the egg yolks. Once combined, pour the combined egg yolk and cream mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining warm cream.

    combine cream and egg mixtures

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  5. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken and reaches 160 degrees on an instant read thermometer, about 3 to 5 minutes.

    egg mixture and cream mixture combined in a saucepan

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  6. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the chopped chocolate, your choice of cognac, coffee liqueur or brewed espresso, and the vanilla extract. Mix well until the chocolate has melted.

    add chocolate to the saucepan

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  7. Pour the chocolate mixture into a medium bowl, cover and chill thoroughly.

    Pour the chocolate mixture into a medium bowl, and cover with plastic wrap

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  8. Once the chocolate has chilled, whip the remaining 1 1/4 cups heavy cream until stiff peaks form.

    whip heavy cream

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  9. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until combined and no white streaks show.

    Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  10. Spoon into serving bowls and chill until ready to serve.

    Spoon Chocolate Mousse into serving bowls and chill

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  11. When ready to serve, top with additional whipped cream and garnish with chocolate curls.

    chocolate mouse in cups with whipped cream and chocolate curls

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    What is the difference between Pudding and Mousse?

    While pudding and mousse are both delicious, creamy desserts, there are a few distinct differences that make each of these treats unique.

    Pudding is made with a combination of milk and sugar that is cooked and thickened with cornstarch. The result is a dessert that is thicker and more dense. Mousse has a much lighter and fluffier texture because air is whipped into the mixture. Sometimes this is achieved by using whipped egg whites, while other recipes use whipped cream.