Chocolate Mousse Loaf Recipes

ALMOST-FAMOUS CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Prepare the cake mix as the label directs for a 9-by-13-inch cake. Bake; cool slightly in the pan, then invert onto a rack to cool completely.
• Clean out the cake pan and line it with plastic wrap. Cut the cake in half lengthwise, then in thirds crosswise to make 6 rectangles. Using a serrated knife, slice each rectangle in half to make two layers. Arrange half of the pieces snugly in the cake pan. Crumble the remaining pieces and press tightly into 6 small balls; arrange 1 cake ball in the center of each cake rectangle in the pan.
• Make the mousse: Heat the chocolate, butter, coffee and 1/4 cup water in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water), stirring, until melted. Remove the bowl from the pan; stir until cool. Reserve the simmering water. Fill a large bowl with ice water.
• Whisk the egg yolks, 1 1/2 cups sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a separate large heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over the saucepan of simmering water and whisk until pale yellow, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the chocolate-coffee mixture and the vanilla and whisk until combined, about 2 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan and set in the bowl of ice water; whisk until slightly cool but not thick, about 4 minutes.
• Beat the egg whites and salt in a bowl with a mixer until foamy. Add 2 tablespoons sugar and beat until almost stiff; gently fold into the chocolate-yolk mixture to make a dark chocolate mousse. Spread 5 cups over the cake and cake balls. Freeze until firm on top, about 30 minutes.
• Beat the heavy cream and the remaining 4 tablespoons sugar until soft peaks form; fold into the remaining mousse. Remove the cake from the freezer; spread with the light chocolate mousse, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Make the chocolate shell: Stir the chocolate, heavy cream and 4 tablespoons corn syrup in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) until melted. A spoonful at a time, spread half of the shell mixture over the frozen mousse. Return to the freezer.
• Make the chocolate sauce: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon corn syrup and the butter to the remaining chocolate shell mixture. Microwave 30 seconds, then stir until glossy.
• To serve the cake, beat the heavy cream with a mixer until foamy. Add the sugar and beat until soft peaks form. Remove the cake from the freezer; invert onto a baking sheet and unmold, then invert again onto a platter, chocolate shell-side up.
• Cut the cake in half lengthwise using a warm knife, then cut into thirds crosswise to make 6 rectangles; cut each rectangle in half diagonally to make 2 triangles. Top each triangle with whipped cream, ice cream and the prepared chocolate sauce.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, whisk together egg yolks, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 3/4 cup heavy cream. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring, until mixture coats back of spoon, 3 to 4 minutes (do not boil). Remove from heat; whisk in melted chocolate and vanilla. Strain into a bowl; chill until cool.
• With an electric mixer, beat remaining 1 1/4 cups heavy cream with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar until stiff peaks form. Stir 1/3 of whipped cream into cooled custard mixture, then gently fold in the rest with a rubber spatula.
• Spoon into serving dishes; chill, covered, at least 30 minutes and up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Line a 10-by-4 1/2-by-3-inch loaf pan with plastic; let excess hang over sides of pan. Line pan with chocolate genoise: Cut one 9-by-4-inch rectangle to fit bottom and two 9-by-3-inch rectangles to fit sides of loaf. Cut four 2 1/4-by-4 1/2-inch pieces; use two to fit each end of the loaf; set other two aside. Cut another 10 1/2-by-5-inch rectangle to fit top; set aside.
• Place chocolate in a large heat-proof bowl or the top of a double boiler set over a pan of barely simmering water; heat until melted. Set aside.
• Combine yolks and sugar in a medium bowl; whisk until pale yellow. Add flour and cornstarch; whisk to combine. Place milk in a small saucepan; bring to a boil.
• Gradually pour milk into yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Return mixture to pan; set over medium-low heat. Cook, whisking constantly, just until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat; immediately pass through a fine sieve into melted chocolate. Use a rubber spatula to combine; set aside to cool. When almost cool, whip the heavy cream to soft peaks, and fold into the chocolate mixture.
• Spoon chocolate mousse into the prepared loaf, and top with the reserved genoise. Wrap the excess plastic over the loaf, and place in the freezer overnight.
• Unmold cake onto a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour ganache over cake, coating completely. Allow ganache to set for about 10 minutes. Scrape excess ganache from baking sheet back into the bowl. Pour a second coating of ganache over cake. If ganache gets too thick, it can be rewarmed slightly over simmering water. Transfer cake to a serving platter; refrigerate for 1 hour or until ready to serve. Garnish with edible roses and rose petals just before serving. Thinly slice with a serrated knife. Serve with creme anglaise.