Best Silky Simple Chocolate Mousse Recipes

SILKY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a cold non-reactive bowl, whip the cream to soft peaks. Set aside.
• Fill a saucepan about a third of the way with water, then bring to a simmer.
• Chop the chocolate with a cook's knife. Put the chocolate in a medium-large heatproof bowl, and place over the water. Stir the chocolate occasionally until melted and smooth. Set the chocolate aside. Keep the pot of water hot, but not boiling.
• In a small bowl, stir the espresso powder into the rum or water, to dissolve.
• Put the egg, yolks, and pinch of salt in heatproof bowl. With a hand-held electric mixer whip the eggs until light, about 1 minute. Slowly add the sugar to the eggs, while continuing to beat. Add the rum mixture.
• Set the bowl of eggs over the simmering water, increase the heat to bring the water to a rapid simmer. Whisk the egg mixture constantly over the heat, until pale yellow, very fluffy, and hot to the touch, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and whip until cool and thick, and the mixture folds over on itself or "holds a ribbon".
• Whisk about a quarter of the egg foam into the chocolate to lighten. With the whisk, briskly fold in the remaining foam, (the mixture may get very thick). Whisk in the whipped cream, taking care to keep the mixture light. Pour the chocolate mixture into 4 serving dishes and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

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.)

SILKY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Place chocolate and butter in medium heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water; stir until chocolate is melted and smooth; remove from heat.
• Stir in the egg yolks one at a time, then the liqueur. Transfer mixture to a large bowl, cool.
• Beat egg whites in a clean small bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form, gradually add sugar, beating until sugar is just dissolved. Fold the cream and meringue into chocolate mixture in two batches.
• Spoon into 8 x 1/2 cup capacity dishes; cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight.