Dark Chocolate Mousse

Happy Valentine’s Day!! My better half requested a chocolate mousse for today, and here’s a recipe that’s both decadent and airy! The internet is full of mousse recipes. Most are only with egg whites. However, I came across a few that used the yolks as well. Bonus!! I really didn’t want to figure out another dessert that would use up the egg yolks. I also added some coffee to intensify the flavor. You won’t taste it much, but it definitely adds to the deep flavor.

Mousse is essentially French. It can be both savory or sweet. Anything whipped up with lots of air is essentially a mousse. So the principle here is to incorporate as much fluff into it with egg whites and whipped cream, making sure it doesn’t deflate.

Ingredients

2 ounces/1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 ounces / ½ cup dark chocolate chips
3 large eggs, separated
5 tablespoons sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream and 1 tsp vanilla extract
Extra whipping cream for garnish

Directions

1. Use the double boiler method ( bowl over simmering water without touching the water).
2. Melt chocolate with 2 teaspoons of whipping cream in one boiler, and yolks with 3 tablespoons of sugar over another.
3. Stir the chocolate mixture till melted. Turn off heat and keep warm till the yolk mix is ready.
4. Stir the yolk and sugar mix till sugar has melted and the mix changes color to pale yellow.
5. Add the yolk mix to the Chocolate mix and allow to cool.
6. Meanwhile, whip egg whites till stiff peaks form.
7. Whip the cream with remaining sugar and teaspoon of vanilla extract, till stiff peaks form.
8. ( optional: you can add 2 teaspoons of gelatin powder dissolved in 3 teaspoons of hot water to the chocolate mix. Make sure there are no lumps)
9. Add the cooled chocolate mix to the whipped cream.
10. Finally, gently fold in egg whites.
11. Pour in serving containers and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.
12. Garnish with extra whipped cream, strawberries and some dusting of cocoa powder.

It can’t be a Valentine’s celebration, without the chocolate. So indulge, enjoy and count the happy memories!