HAPPY NEW YEAR, my dear friends! Your continued support is such a blessing…and I appreciate all your kind words and comments. Here’s to another year filled with decadent treats and and oodles of chocolate!
This virtual party is being hosted by Sanjeeta kk, a sweet blogger friend. We were asked to link some of our favorite recipes of 2011 and honor some of our most influential blogger friends as we ring in 2012.
Here are four of my four most popular recipes from this 2011:
Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies~
Pastry Wrapped Caramel Apples~
And finally, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies~
And I almost hate to start listing blogger friends, as so many have been influential…here are just four of many:
Lizzie, of Food and Thrift Finds, was my first friend on foodbuzz, showing me the ropes and encouragement…and still dear to me after 1 1/2 years of blogging.
Claudia, of What’s Cookin Italian Style Cuisine, who between working full time and writing 2 blogs, still has time to comment, encourage and answer my questions!
Kim, of Cravings of a Lunatic, and I became fast friends earlier this year. Her hilarious blog keeps me giggling…and my mouth watering with her fabulous recipes. And even though we are about the same age, I am looking into adopting her.
Ramona, of Curry and Comfort, is another sweetheart. She is so kind and genuine…and another friend who has helped me with blogging/computer questions.
And finally, here is the dessert we shared on Christmas. “Incredible,” was the first word out of Bill’s mouth…and he claimed not to like ladyfinger desserts before tasting this one. It’s really quite simple to whip up…I might even up the amount of whipped cream icing next time to make it nice and billowy. It was the perfect way to end our holiday meal~
Chocolate Mousse Cake…recipe courtesy of Sue Thomson
Two 3 ounce packages of ladyfingers
18 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup powdered sugar
7 egg yolks (pasteurized eggs preferred)
5 egg whites
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Raspberries or chocolate curls to garnish
Split ladyfingers and arrange on the bottom of a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan lined on all sides with either parchment or non-stick foil. Trim ladyfingers to fill any empty spots. Set aside.
Melt chocolate with 3 tablespoons of water in microwave. Start, stop and stir at 30 second intervals till chocolate is melted and smooth. Mixture will be thick. Stir in powdered sugar, egg yolks and vanilla. Beat till smooth. Allow to cool.
Beat the egg whites till soft peaks form. Mix some of the whipped egg whites into chocolate mixture, then fold and mix in the rest till completely combined. Spread half of this chocolate mousse over the ladyfingers, then place a second layer of ladyfingers over the mousse. Top with the remaining mousse and then another layer of ladyfingers. Cover with foil or plastic wrap. Chill at least 6 hours or overnight.
To serve, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla. Invert pan onto a serving plate and remove foil or parchment. Frost cake with whipped cream and garnish with berries or chocolate curls.
Serves 8-10.
{ 71 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh hey! Adopt me too (how pathetic)! With cakes like this, I’m be begging to be adopted! Yeah, I’m shameless. Happy New Year, Lizzy!
It looks incredible!
Happy New Year!
Cheers my friend!!! That cake looks AMAZING:-). I will be going and checking out the recipe for the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies, OH MY YUM:-) Hugs, Terra
Wish you and family a very happy new year:-)
The Mousse cake looks just awesome:-)
What an incredible looking cake! happy new year!
Happy New Year Lizzy, your photos are always inspiring to me and recipes it keeps me trying to be as great as your are in both! I love how you support this cyber world, you had a delicious year for us you shared! looking forward to more! THANKS for mentioning me here, I am blessed to have met you… thanks again and have a healthy 2012~
Happy new year. The top 4 look awesome, actually everything on your site is awesome. I will ask my parents whether I am up for adoption:)
Ok, your secret is out, you are a chocoholic! 3 out of 4 favorites contain chocolate, but I have no problem with that-yum! Happy New Year!
Awww.. Lizzy!! You are so very sweet to include me in your post. I am beyond honored.
I have really enjoyed getting to know you and help each other out. I call you the complete foodie package… you are an amazing cook, fabulous baker and all around wonderful human being. 
I wish you success and prosperity this year and hope 2012 is simply the greatest for you and your family!! All the best my dear friend! Happy New Year! ~ Ramona xxoo
happy 2012!
Your chocolate mousse cake looks so yummy! I also love the pastry wrapped caramel apples. That recipe I have to give a try! I’m a sucker for anything that has apples.
I wanted to wish you and your family a Happy New Years! I’m so glad we became foodie blogger friends! I absolutely love your blog and I can’t wait to see what recipes you will post this year.
By the way, your White Chocolate Raspberry Bars, I must of made them 3 times now. I love them and so do all my friends!
Happy New Years!
Lizzy- Your chocolate Mousse cake is just another one of your glorious chocolate creations. You should publish a cookbook!
I am grateful that we are foodie blogger friends, and can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2012!
Happy new year, my lovely friend. This dessert looks fabulous, I love the lady fingers. I hope your year is filled with blessings. I’m looking forward to all the deliciousness!
xo
What a sweet post!! Happy New Year!!
So it seems that most of your favorite recipes include chocolate. I knew I liked you for a reason.
That mousse looks divine!
Your cake looks terrific, as do the chocolate chip cookie dough brownies. Too bad I’ve given up chocolate for a month!
mmm those peanut truffle brownies are lovely and so is the first cake with always present divine raspberries
Are those real or plastic ones, Lizzy 
))) Just kidding 
Happy New Year, Lizzy! The cake looks amazing!
Looks great! I hope you bring as many awesome recipes in 2012 as you did this year!
Happy New Year!
Aw you are going to make me cry. Thanks so much for that my friend. That brightened my day in a big way. Rough week, this was just the pick me up I needed to put a smile on my face. Happy New Year my friend, may it be filled with blessings and lots of food, preferably chocolate! xx
Beautiful Chocolate Mousse cake to ring in the New Year!
You are the Chocolate Goddess! 3 of 4 top recipes are chocolate!
I have really enjoyed getting to know you & try your recipes! I appreciate all your support and encouragement!
Wishing your family and you love, joy, and lots of chocolate in 2012! xoxoxo
This cake looks wonderfully sinful and delicious… what a great recipe! I love this post recap and the pastry-wrapped caramel apples. What a fun and creative recipe! I hope you had a wonderful New Years and I look forward to viewing all the other tasty treats you’ll be posting in the future.
Lizzy, you’ve been such an inspiration & consistent & helpful friend! Your recipes are magnificent! Hope you and yours have the sweetest New Year! Thanks!
You are just dangerous – here I am with a fridge stacked with zucchini and arugula (and a little cheese) and you bring in chocolate mousse. You knew I couldn’t resist that, didn’t you? Well, I shall try – until Valentine’s Day… and then it will visit. Here’s to a year of sweet days… and arugula.
Happy New year 2012, Lizzy!
I wish you and your family especially health, because when it is, then there is joy and love, and success, and hopes and dreams come true!
Absolutely gorgeous round-up! I would love to eat an entire pan of your Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies! It’s still the holiday season so that’s acceptable, right??
Happy New Year and glad to celebrate at the virtual party with you!
All great choices. I want to wish you a wonderful New Year for 2012 filled with health, loved ones and success in your endeavors.
All of those look utterly delicious, Lizzy! how did I miss those caramel apples!? they need to be in my belly right now
On another note, have a wonderful, happy 2012 filled with love and joy, my friend. <3
I am a chocoholic, I simply cannot resist, especially to treats like these! Have a beautiful New Year 2012!
Have a great New Year!
What a mouth-watering cake! Yum!
Happy New Year Liz! I’m a huge fan and I enjoy all of your wonderful recipes. But in particular, I am always in awe of your baking. This cake looks beautiful! I wish you and your family all the best in the year to come. And I look forward to seeing what amazing things you create this year! All the best to you! : )
Absolutely “incredible”! What a great way to start 2012! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you! What a pretty cake to celebrate 2012 with.
A beautiful round up and an incredible chocolate mousse cake – all the very best for 2012 to you and your family
Mary oxo
Wishing u a very happy new year
What a wonderful recap of 2011 of some of your scrumptious recipes here and favorite bloggers. Thanks for joining #Welcome2012 and making it a wonderful event.
Hope to stay connected for more of foodie fun together in coming years!
I seriously thought I left you a comment for this gorgeous cake, but I guess I only dreamt I did, LOL! You cake sounds wonderful, and I adore how shiney and beautiful those black gold cookies look! Happy New Year my friend:-) Hugs, Terra
You know, if I ate more of these I wouldn’t have a problem with being so thin anymore.
Happy New Year!
I hope 2012 will be full of health, love and happy moments!
Happy New Year! Your blog is so full of chocolatey treats I feel like I’m in heaven!
I love mousse cakes. 
Your mousse cake looks divine! Happy New Year Liz! xx
Una ricetta meglio dell’altra!!!
Spettacolari!!! Tutte golose e molto belle!!
Ti Auguro un Felice e Sereno Anno Nuovo!!!!
Baci!!!!
Sounds amazingly delicious! Blessings for 2012!
Among all I will go for the wrapped Apples and that simply looks fantastic, unique and creative.
I am admiring how you made the mousse cake with that different layers and beautiful contrast of colors.
This cake would have disappeared really quick if we’d had it over the holidays. Happy New Year and looking forward to more of your great posts.
this cake breaks the rule to every healthy resolution. I’m so loving it!
Happy New Year Liz!!
This cake is a beautiful way to close off a wonderful year for you. All the best in 2012.
You’re killing me with all of these delicious sounding sweets! I’ll have to try one of them. Happy New Year!
That is one killer chocolate mousse cake, lizzy! I love your blog and I’m so glad I get to virtually feed on it whenever I want
You’re such a talent, and I wish you were my neigbor..I’d be over every day begging for a taste lol Happy New Year to you and your loved ones, lizzy, and wishing you the very best of everything in 2012! xo
All the sweets look luscious, but the chocolate mousse is definitely the winner if I were to vote
I have made chocolate mousse for Christmas instead of a cake and it was such a delightful change!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Lizzy! I’m so glad to have found you and your wonderful blog this past year! This mousse cake looks incredibly good!
Lizzie, of Food and Thrift Finds, was my first friend on foodbuzz, showing me the ropes and encouragement…and still dear to me after 1 1/2 years of blogging. Her sweet daughter, Lora, is hosting this party!
Lizzy-I’m so sorry to just notice your mention about me…I’ve been so sicke since about a week ago with the flu, that I didn’t want to mention on my blog, and it has gotten worst for New Year’s Eve! Thank you so much for the mention abt me. I’m really touched by your sweet words, and I do treasure our friendship since day one!
Your roundup of recipes is superb, as your fabulous baking that I so admire!
I’m on a new mission now, and will be posting about it!
xoxo
That cake looks amazing, as does the rest of your re-cap!
Happy 2012 Lizzy
Although cakes and cookies looks amazing. Just one week ago, i have tried to bake triple Chocolate cookies and cakes and i did have bake it very well.
Happy New Year to you as well! Those cookie dough brownies look right up my alley. I LOVE cookie dough, sometimes more than the actual baked cookies. 2011 was fun, looking forward to seeing what you cook up in 2012.
Congratulations on Top 9, great way to start the new year!
Such a great post! I love this recipe and I still drool over those chocolate chip cookie dough brownies and baked apple! Happy new year!
Hi Liz! My Mama calls me Liz.
This looks wonderful!
Thank you for the recipe.
Charlie
Everything looks so good! Thank you for sharing and congrats on Top 9.
I love anything chocolate, and this one looks so sinful! Thanks for sharing. Glad to virtual party & bake along with you! Happy New Year, Skinny Chick!
Happy New Year Lizzy! Oh, your desserts make me drool every single time. They inspire me too. I just get a sense of homey feeling.. filled with love and joy!! Heres to another year of fantastic food blogging!! Huggss
Oh wow, the lady fingers combined with chocolate mousse sound absolutely to die for!!
Happy new year!
Hello dear Lizzy,
Wish you a very happy New Year 2012!Seems like you guys had a rocking party:) Your Chocolate Mousse looks out-of-the-world – Congratulations on the Top 9 too!!
Beautiful dessert! Happy New Year!!
What a gorgeous cake Lizzy!! And I need that puff pastry wrapped apple, it’s on my to-do list. Happy New Year
What a fabulous spread for a New Year’s Party! Looking forward to another year of your wonderful recipes, Lizzy.
A chocoholic like me will grab this for sure! Thanks a lot for sending this awesome entry to my event! Eagerly waiting to see more of your creativity!
Liz, had so much fun making this for SRC! And it was SOOO good. It won rave reviews at my dad’s bday party – both for presentation and deliciousness!!! Thanks!!!
I’m so glad, Sara!!! Glad it was such a success