Ingredients
6 oz. semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. heavy cream
1 tbsp. powdered sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Pinch kosher salt
2 large pasteurized egg whites
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
Whipped topping, for garnish
Chocolate shavings, for garnish
Preparation
Step 1Fill bottom of a large pot with 3” water and bring to simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, then place a large heatproof bowl on top. Add chocolate and butter and stir occasionally until chocolate is melty and smooth. Remove from heat.Step 2In a large bowl using a hand mixer, or in the bowl of stand mixer, beat heavy cream with powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until stiff peaks form. Step 3In another large bowl using a hand mixer, or in the bowl of stand mixer, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Continue to beat, while gradually adding sugar, until stiff peaks form. Step 4Fold melted chocolate into egg whites until mostly incorporated (some streaks are fine!). Fold whipped cream into mixture until fully combined. Step 5Serve with whipped topping and shaved chocolate.
What’s the difference between chocolate mousse and chocolate pudding? Good question! Generally, mousse will have a fluffier, lighter texture than chocolate pudding, which is denser. This is mainly due to how they are prepared: While pudding is thickened by being cooked with cornstarch, mousse gets thickened by whipped cream and whipped egg whites that are folded into the chocolate mixture. What are the basic elements of mousse? The basic components of mousse are the base, the aerator, the sweetener, and a thickener (optional). What does all of that mean? Well, in this recipe, our base is our melted chocolate mixture, our aerators are our whipped cream and whipped egg whites, and the sweetener is the sugar added into our whipped cream. While some mousse recipes use a thickener like gelatin, it’s not necessary in this recipe! Does mousse have gelatin in it? Traditionally, many mousse recipes use gelatin to help add thickness. This recipe, however, doesn’t require it! The chocolate base mixed with the whipped cream and egg whites make this mousse plenty fluffy—no gelatin needed. Looking for more? Check out our favorite easy desserts that only look impossible, our Pumpkin Mousse for a festive fall version, or our Aquafaba Chocolate Mousse for a fully vegan dessert! Made this? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
