Sashas Dark Chocolate Mousse Recipes

THE BEST CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Whip 1 cup of the heavy cream to soft peaks in a medium bowl (see Cook's Note). Set aside.
• Add the egg, egg yolks, sugar, espresso powder, vanilla extract, salt and 1 tablespoon water to a medium heatproof bowl and whisk to combine. Set the bowl over a medium saucepan of gently simmering water (do not allow the bowl to touch the water). Whisk constantly until the mixture is pale, hot to the touch and has almost doubled in volume, about 4 to 6 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally with a rubber spatula, if necessary. Remove from the heat and continue whisking until cooled, about 2 minutes.
• Put the chopped chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and set over the saucepan of gently simmering water (do not allow the bowl to touch the water). Stir occasionally with a rubber spatula until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and gently stir for about 3 minutes to cool slightly.
• Whisk the egg mixture into the melted chocolate in 3 additions until combined. (The mixture may get very thick.) Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture in 3 additions until it is fully incorporated. It is important that the chocolate mixture is not warm to ensure that it combines smoothly with the whipped cream without seizing up.
• Divide the chocolate mousse among four 4-ounce ramekins and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
• Whip the remaining 3/4 cup cold heavy cream to stiff peaks. Top each chocolate mousse with whipped cream and serve. (For a softer texture, allow the ramekins to sit at room temperature while you whip the cream.)

DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Place chocolate in a large bowl set over a bain marie or in a double boiler at a low simmer. Stir chocolate until melted. Turn off the heat and let stand.
• Beat the cream over ice until it forms soft peaks. Set aside and hold at room temperature. With a mixer, whip egg to soft peaks. Gradually add the sugar and continue whipping until firm.
• Remove the chocolate from the bain marie and using a whisk, fold in the egg whites all at once. When the whites are almost completely incorporated, fold in the whipped cream. Cover the mousse and refrigerate for approximately 1 hour or until set. Serve in goblets topped with more whipped cream and shaved chocolate, if desired.

DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a double boiler, melt chocolate and butter together, stirring occasionally with a whisk. (If you don't have a double boiler, use a heatproof bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water, making sure the bowl isn't touching the water.) Meanwhile, in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip egg yolks and 2 tablespoons sugar at high speed, 2 minutes, until it reaches the "ribbon stage"-i.e., the batter resembles a ribbon when you lift the whisk.
• Pour warm chocolate mixture into a large mixing bowl. Using a rubber spatula, quickly fold the egg yolk mixture into the chocolate, stopping after the mixture is combined three-fourths of the way. Set aside.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the egg whites and salt at medium speed until the mixture is frothy and forms soft peaks, 1 minute. With the mixer still running, slowly add the remaining 4 tablespoons of sugar in a steady stream, then turn mixer to high and whip until medium peaks form, 1 more minute.
• Fold a quarter of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten, then fold in the remaining egg whites gently but thoroughly using the following method: Look at the mixing bowl like a clock-the top is 12 o'clock, the bottom 6 o'clock. Place the rubber spatula, point side down, into the bowl at 12 o'clock. Stir the mousse clockwise around the edge of the bowl to 9 o'clock, while turning the bowl counterclockwise. Repeat, about 6 times, until there are no more visible egg whites.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the vanilla extract and heavy cream at medium speed, 30 seconds. Then turn to high and whip until medium peaks form, 1 more minute. Fold whipped cream into mousse gently but thoroughly, using the clock method from Step 4. Makes 4 cups mousse.
• Assembly: Evenly divide mousse into 8 individual serving bowls (an ice cream scoop works well for this). Chill in the refrigerator to set, 2 hours or up to overnight. Serve with additional whipped cream dolloped on top.

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.

EASY DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Beat 3/4 cup sugar and egg yolks together in a bowl.
• Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 15-second intervals, stirring after each interval, 1 to 3 minutes. Add butter gradually and beat until smooth. Beat into the egg yolk mixture.
• Beat egg whites and salt together in another bowl until stiff peaks form. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar over and beat for 2 minutes more. Stir egg whites slowly into chocolate bowl. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours; overnight is best.

DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH CANDIED GINGER

Steps:

• Set a medium bowl over a saucepan of boiling water. (Don't let water touch the bottom of the bowl.) Reduce heat to a simmer. Add the chocolate, butter, orange liqueur and espresso. When chocolate is completely melted, about 10 minutes, remove from heat.
• Add sugar and beat with a wire whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is slightly thickened and glossy, 1 to 2 minutes. Let the mixture cool slightly, then quickly whisk in the egg yolks to incorporate.
• In a clean, dry medium bowl, beat egg whites to stiff peaks. With a rubber spatula, stir 1/3 of the beaten egg whites into chocolate mixture to lighten it.
• Gently fold in the remaining whites to incorporate, taking care not to deflate. (It's OK if mixture looks a little streaky.)
• Pour mixture into 4-ounce ramekins or other vessels, like teacups or wine glasses. For a large version, pour into an attractive bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days in advance.
• To serve, whip the cream to soft peaks. (Add a tablespoon of sugar and a drop of vanilla extract, if you wish.) Top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream and some crystallized ginger.