Best Chocolate Mousse Recipe

What Is Chocolate Mousse?

The word mousse is a French term meaning “foam” or “froth,” which does a pretty good job getting the point across. It’s a fluffy yet creamy chocolate dessert that, when prepared just right, has a lightly whipped texture that melts in your mouth and adds a touch of class to the end of your meal.

How Should I Serve Chocolate Mousse?

The ideal way to serve mousse is in individual cups or serving bowls. Not only will you add a flair of fine dining to your kitchen, but the relatively steep sides will give your mousse some verticality. And a simple garnish makes the perfect finishing touch. A dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of freshly grated chocolate on top will make each cup a little work of art for every person at your table.

What Is Chocolate Mousse Made of?

The best chocolate mousse recipe has simply egg yolks, sugar, whipping cream, and semisweet baking chocolate. Plus a little patience. It’s important to take your time and add the ingredients gradually to achieve an unforgettably smooth texture.

In fact, that unique texture can be found in all of our mousse recipes. It’s not just chocolate that makes a supremely delicious dessert—though it certainly does help!

How to Make Chocolate Mousse

When it comes to preparing Chocolate Mousse, its gourmet reputation can seem intimidating, but our recipe keeps it simple. The complete directions are below, but here’s everything you need to make a dessert your family will love. You’ve got this!

Start with the Egg Yolks

Separate out the yolks and beat with an electric mixer for about 3 minutes, or until the mixture takes on a thick, almost fluffy texture.

Heat One Cup of the Cream

Once it’s hot, reduce the heat and temper the eggs by gradually adding at least half of the cream to the eggs. If the cream is added too quickly, it could start to cook the eggs. So be patient, and take your time. Once the eggs are tempered, stir them back into the saucepan.

Add the Chocolate

Now comes the fun part. Once the egg-cream mixture is thickened, stir in the chocolate and let it melt. Refrigerate the result for a few hours to let it set.

Whip up Some Cream

It’s back to the electric mixer to beat the remainder of the cream into a stiff foam. Here’s how to check if the cream is ready: When you take the whisk out, you’ll notice small peaks form and stand up on their own.

Combine and Enjoy

This is when the magic happens. Gradually fold in the whipped cream into your rich chocolate mixture, and when you’re done, you’ll have the best of both worlds: A fluffy, creamy dessert with smooth chocolate flavor. Spoon into cups and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve!

How to Store Chocolate Mousse in the Fridge and Freezer

Mousse should be served refrigerated, so the cold can help the mousse set into that signature fluff. If you end up with leftovers, the finished mousse will last for about 3-5 days in the fridge. Cover to prevent drying, and when you’re ready to serve again—or just ready for a snack—you can take it straight from fridge to table.

Can You Freeze Chocolate Mousse?

Chocolate mousse does very well in the freezer, and once frozen, it will keep for up to 2 months. To bring it back to life, transfer the mousse into the refrigerator and let it thaw for about 2 hours until it’s soft enough to spoon and serve. Allowing it to come back to a cool temperature slowly—instead of heating it up at all—helps the mousse keep its structure, so it’s just as thick and fluffy as the day it was made.

Other Mousse Recipes We Love

Chocolate mousse is one of our favorite desserts, but the flavor possibilities are endless. Try one of our other recipes while still enjoying that signature thick and fluffy mousse texture.

For a smooth, sweet spin on the classic, start with White Chocolate Mousse. The whipped texture and rich taste adds a touch of elegance.

Feeling a little fresh? This Cranberry Mousse recipe adds a refreshingly tangy sweetness to the experience—as well as a splash of vibrant color.

And for a hearty, seasonal dessert, check out Pumpkin Mousse. Indulge in that fall-favorite pumpkin taste, and bring it to the next level with a pecan granola crunch.