Chocolate Mousse Epicurious Recipes

DARK-CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Mousse:
• Heat chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (bottom of bowl should not touch water), stirring occasionally, until chocolate and butter are melted and well blended, about 5 minutes. Set chocolate mixture aside.
• Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar in a medium bowl until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
• Using electric mixer with clean beaters, beat egg whites and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar in another medium bowl until medium-stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Using a large spatula, gently fold egg yolk mixture into chocolate mixture until no streaks remain. Starting in the center of the mixture and working your way toward the edges of the bowl, gently fold egg whites into chocolate mixture (make sure to scrape up from the bottom), rotating bowl as you go, until no streaks remain (this will incorporate the egg whites without deflating them; you don't want to lose volume).
• Divide mousse among ramekins, smooth surface, and chill at least 4 hours.
• Do Ahead
• Mousse can be made 4 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled. Topping and assembly Whip cream and sugar in a medium bowl until medium peaks form.

2-INGREDIENT DAIRY-FREE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE RECIPE

Steps:

• Break up or chop the chocolate and place it in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water and allow the chocolate to melt, stirring occasionally. Once the chocolate has melted, remove it from the heat and let cool until tepid.
• In the meantime, put the egg yolks in a large bowl. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or in a large bowl, using a handheld mixer, whip the egg whites to very firm peaks, about 5 minutes.
• When the chocolate has cooled, pour it into the bowl with the egg yolks and whisk well. Using a rubber spatula, stir in about one-third of the egg whites to lighten the mixture. Carefully spoon another third of the egg whites on top of the chocolate mixture and gently fold them in (do not stir). Add the remaining whites, folding just until the egg whites are incorporated.
• Spoon the mixture into ten 4- or 5-oz. (120- or 150-ml) ramekins or small coffee cups. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, until set.
• Serve the chocolate mousse cold, decorated with chocolate shavings, if desired.

CHOCOLATE-CHESTNUT MOUSSE

Steps:

• Bring chestnuts, milk, sugar, vanilla, and salt to a boil over high heat in a small saucepan. Reduce heat, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until milk is reduced by one-quarter and chestnuts smash fairly easily against the side of the pot with the back of a spoon, 15-17 minutes.
• Meanwhile, finely chop 4 oz. chocolate. Using a peeler, shave remaining 1 oz. chocolate; set aside until ready to serve.
• Purée chestnut mixture in a blender on high speed until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Add chopped chocolate and 1 tsp. brandy and blend on high speed until chocolate is melted, about 30 seconds. Scrape into a large bowl and let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally (if lumps form, stir vigorously until smooth), 15-20 minutes.
• Whip 2 cups cream with a whisk in another large bowl until it just barely holds soft peaks. Stir one-third of cream into chocolate mixture to lighten it, then fold in remaining cream just until incorporated. Transfer mousse to a large serving bowl, cover, and chill at least 2 hours or up to 1 day.
• Whip remaining 1 cup cream and 1/2 tsp. brandy with whisk in a large bowl to medium peaks. Garnish mousse with reserved chocolate shavings and serve with whipped cream alongside.
• Do ahead
• Mousse can be made 1 day ahead; cover and chill.