Frozen Chocolate Mousse Cake
If youโre looking for a swoon-worthy chocolate dessert, Iโve got you covered with this sublime Frozen Chocolate Mousse Cake.
This Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake starts with a flourless chocolate cake base, which is topped with an incredibly rich and creamy mousse and iced with a glossy ganache. It was perfect for a friend facing back surgery and her chocoholic husband.
Why You Must Make this Mousse Cake Recipe
- Frozen desserts are perfect for gifting as they donโt need to be eaten right away and are terrific for unexpected company or those chocolate cravings! My girlfriend is a chocolate fanatic and I knew having slices of this dreamy frozen chocolate mousse cake in her freezer would brighten up a dreary day of rehab.
- There are three layers of decadence in this frozen mousse cake: a flourless chocolate cake, a layer of dreamy mousse, and a topping of chocolate ganache!
- Each one is fabulous on its own, but together, they create a chocolate extravaganza!
- It can be made weeks ahead of time, so you can fix it when you have time, not the day youโre entertaining or bringing it to an event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mousse Cake?
A mousse cake can be a traditional cake, brownie, or another baked good that has a layer of mousse. The mousse component can use cream or eggs to give it the classic airy or fluffy texture.
A mousse cake can also be a dense mousse thatโs sliced into wedges like a cake. It may or may not have a crust.
How to Make a Mousse Cake?
Often mousse is used as a cake filling or topping, making a โmousse cake.โ
To make this mousse cake, the flourless chocolate cake is baked, cooled, and frozen. Then the mousse is made. The chocolate mousse is spread over the cake, then returned to the freezer. Finally, the ganache is made, spread over the frozen mousse, and frozen.
Can You Freeze a Mousse Cake?
This mousse cake freezes well for 1-2 months if wrapped well. This recipe is meant to be frozen, but remember to let it soften for a few minutes before serving so itโs not rock hard.
Mousses made with eggs ordinarily do not freeze as nicely. Their texture may become slightly grainy when defrosted. The mousse layer in this cake is an exception.
Tips for Making This Frozen Chocolate Mousse Cake
There are 3 layers, with the final ganache topping being the easiest. You can make the cake layer one day, then the mousse and ganache on the next if you want to spread out the process. Note there are affiliate links below.
- To get the mousse cake out of the springform pan, use non-stick foil to line it. I used two pieces placed perpendicular to each other so that all the inner surface was covered.
- Even if the foil is pressed tightly against the inside of the pan, youโll still see wrinkles and folds on the sides of the dessert when itโs unmolded. No one except the baker will notice this!
- Do you know what a springform pan is? Itโs used mainly for cheesecakes, but works great for any cakes. It has a removable base and a โcollarโ for the sides which can be released with a clip. Itโs a must for this mousse cake.
- Use this cake spatula for moving cakes and cheesecakes from the pan to the serving plate.
- The eggs must be separarted to make the mousse. PRO-Tip: Remember that eggs separate easiest when cold, but egg whites whip best when at room temperature.
- PRO-Tip: And note that any yolk that contaminates the egg whites (or any grease on the bowl or beaters) will prevent them from whipping into stiff peaks. Itโs worth taking your time separating the eggs so none are wasted.
- The cake layer will shrink as it cools, so the mousse layer invariably will be a little bit wider than the cake below.
- To cut, use a long, sturdy bread knife. It worked well as it could straddle the whole cake. Warming the knife helps cut through a frozen dessert if needed.
- Let this dessert to sit out at room temperature after itโs sliced and placed on dessert plates. It slices cleanly when frozen solid, but let it soften for a few minutes to make for easier indulging.
- PRO-Tip: Cold inhibits a dishโs flavor. So for desserts like ice cream, you need to bump up the flavorings a bit.
More Mousse Recipes Youโll Love:
- Mousse Cake from Pint Sized Baker
- Simple Chocolate Mousse from Belly Full
- Peanut Butter Truffle Mousse Cheesecake from In Katrinaโs Kitchen
- Triple Chocolate Mousse Pie
- White Chocolate Mousse with Frangelico
- Fresh Strawberry Mousse
- Best Dessert Recipes
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Frozen Chocolate Mousse Cake Recipe
3 delicious chocolate layers make every slice a party in your mouth!
Ingredients
Flourless Cake:
- 2 sticks (1 cup) butter
- 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
Mousse:
- 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) butter
- 10 ounces semisweet chocolate
- 3 large eggs, separated (pasteurized eggs preferred)*
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Glaze:
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Make the cake:
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- Line inside of 9-inch springform pan with nonstick foil and wrap a piece of foil around outside, too.
- Heat butter and chocolate in the microwave until melted. Whisk till smooth.
- Whisk in the eggs and sugar. Add vanilla and pour into prepared pan.
- Place the pan in a larger roasting pan and fill the larger pan with hot water to come about halfway up the sides of the pan.
- Bake 40-45 minutes and remove from oven, allowing the cake to cool in the water bath.
- Once cool, place the cake pan in the freezer.
Make the mousse:
- Melt butter and chocolate in the microwave. Whisk till smooth.
- Whisk yolks, sugar, and vanilla together.
- Whisk yolk mixture into the hot chocolate mixture carefully.
- Using a mixer, beat the whites to stiff peaks. Fold the egg whites into the chocolate.
- In the mixer, beat the cream to soft peaks and fold it into the mousse.
- Spread mousse over the cold cake and return to the freezer for an hour.
Make the Glaze:
- Microwave corn syrup and cream just till hot. Add chocolate.
- Let sit one minute and then whisk smooth. Let sit an additional 30 mins to thicken. Remove cake sides.
- Pour glaze over cold mousse layer and return to freezer for a few hours until ready to serve. Keep frozen.
- Let the cake warm up at room temperature for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
To prevent foodborne illnesses, I recommend using pasteurized eggs in recipes calling for raw eggs.
Recipe adapted fromThe Pastry Queen by Rebecca Rather via Hugs & Cookies XOXO
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 553Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 173mgSodium: 73mgCarbohydrates: 66gFiber: 4gSugar: 60gProtein: 8g
Gluten-Free Mousse Cake
I brought this cake to my friend, Candes, with a couple of pre-cut slices for her and our other friends to sample at one of our knitting group meetings. Our hostess is gluten-free so rarely gets to enjoy my treats. She was happy to indulge as was the rest of the crew.
I left a slice at home for my own chocolate taste testerโand this was unequivocally a hit across the board. I found this recipe on the blog of my dear blogger friend, Danielle. She and I cook from each otherโs blogs each month, and when I spied this chocolate number on Hugs & Cookies XOXO, I knew it would bring sheer bliss to all who indulged.
I got an email from Candy only days after her surgery, requesting the recipe. Her husband told her it was the only chocolate cake she ever needed to make. And she clarified that it was most likely the only dessert sheโd ever need to make! If youโre looking for a showstopping treat for the chocoholic in your life, youโve found it.
On the second Monday of each month, Danielle and I cook up something from each otherโs blog. Every treat I pull from her blog is a winnerโฆI never have to worry whether weโll like it or not. We always do!
Check out Danielleโs social media sites!
69 Comments on “Frozen Chocolate Mousse Cake”
Lizzy,
Could I move next door to you? This looks so amazing. The hubby and I are huge chocolate fans and this would definitely fill our sweet tooth.
Annamaria
Looks fabulous Liz!!!!! Good choice for your friend!!! Xoxo
Three decadent layers come together and definitely not looking gluten free, looks so awesome.
What a special friend you are to make this for your friend. xo It is beautiful.
Liz, this looks so gorgeous and I need a big slice of this chocolate mousse cake. Yum!
Chocolate is the best girls friend ! It’s very chic from you cook this amazing cake for your friend.
Loo9k really georgeous Lizzy!!
xo
I’d love to have a slice of this to enjoy with my cup of coffee right now! Not only does this chocolate mousse cake look delicious, the presentation is beautiful, too!
This certainly does look like a special celebration cake Liz, it is beautiful. I’ll keep it in my back pocket for my GF BFF!
Liz, this recipe is a winner on all fronts – and gluten free to boot? Fabulous!
You are amazing, Liz! What a thoughtful gift for your friend. This beautiful chocolate creation would brighten any chocolate lovers day – and we have three here, just so you know ๐
Now that is something I would love receiving too … this cake is beyond words.. totally decadent and mouth watering. Mmmm – I can imagine the taste ..
oh my gawd, Liz!!! just when I thought you couldn’t show me something more awesome and delicious, you DID!!! Wow-za!!!! I want THIS for Valentine’s Day. . heck, I want this today!!!
This looks amazing! Your friend is lucky to have you bake this for her ๐
That looks so good!! What a perfect way to celebrate V-Day
This is gorgeous, Liz! So nice of you to make this for your friend who is recovering. I am totally swooning over how creamy and decadent it looks! It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Definitely swooning over this pie!
What a perfect Valentine’s dessert! It looks incredible and I love that it’s flourless as well!
Let’s just say… If I had this in my freezer, it wouldn’t last long! Amazing:@)
Today’s problem…I can’t get the images to load. I do hope your friend’s back surgery went well and that’s so nice of you to bake her something special. I do love a cake with mousse! xx