Classic French Chocolate Mousse (Mousse au Chocolat)

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5 from 7 votes

Classic French Chocolate Mousse (Mousse au Chocolat)

Chocolate, eggs, and sugar - you are just 3 ingredients away from the most delicious Mousse Au Chocolat.

Prep Time15

Chilling Time4

Total Time4 15

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: French

Servings: servings

Author: Margie Nomura

Ingredients

4.25 oz good-quality dark chocolate chopped
4 medium eggs
4 tsp superfine sugar (caster sugar)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Put the chopped chocolate into a medium heat-proof bowl. Set over the pan of barely simmering water to create a double boiler. Ensure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t come into contact with the water (or the chocolate will overheat), and allow it to slowly melt, stirring often until smooth.
Alternatively, pop it into a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 20-second bursts, stirring between each - this is the quickest method, but you have to watch closely and ensure it doesn’t overheat.
Set aside to cool slightly.
Next, separate the eggs. Place the egg whites in a large bowl and whisk using an electric mixer until you have soft peaks. Add the sugar and whisk for another minute until glossy.
One at a time, add the egg yolks to the melted chocolate, mixing well after each. If the chocolate seizes, do not panic (it can happen, and it is perfectly normal and fixable - so don’t stress). Simply add a little boiling water, 1 tbsp at a time, and keep whisking until it comes back to being glossy.
Mix 1/3 of the whisked egg whites into the chocolate mixture and beat to combine. This lightens the chocolate and makes it easier to fold in the remaining egg whites without losing too much air.
Carefully pour the loosened chocolate mixture into the remaining egg whites, gently folding to combine. Once no white remains, pour into a dish or individual glasses. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours - or overnight.

Video

Notes

Make-ahead and storage

To store: Well covered (or in an airtight container), it will last up to 3 days in the fridge.

Make ahead: This Chocolate Mousse is the perfect make-ahead dessert. If I am making it for a dinner party, I whip it up in the morning, then chill it until the evening. Making it a day in advance is great.

A note on raw eggs

This Chocolate Mousse recipe contains raw eggs, so it must not be served to vulnerable groups (including young children, pregnant women, those with compromised immune systems, and the elderly).

Nutrition