Irish Chocolate Mousse Cake
This no-bake Irish Chocolate Mousse Cake is made with ladyfingers and mousse infused with Irish Cream for your St. Patrick’s Day pleasure. Easy as can be!
A slosh of Irish cream passes a little luck o’ the Irish to your taste buds. Have you tried Irish cream before? It gives this Baileys Cake a touch of the Irish!
Why You Must Make
- Irish cream is a magical blend of cream, Irish whiskey, and chocolate. Perfect to add to your hot cup of coffee on a bitter winter’s night and just as sublime in chocolate or coffee desserts.
- Try a bit to flavor your whipped cream—you’ll be swooning, I promise. This mousse is made of just a few simple ingredients, so use good quality products for the best results. It’s sinfully delicious!
- Making mousse is simple! Butter and sugar are whipped until fluffy, then eggs and chocolate are mixed in along with the Irish Cream. I added two tablespoons, but you can be a little heavy-handed with your measurements if you’d like more of a kick.
And since you have that bottle handy, my family loved these Irish Cream Pots de Creme, too.
Ingredient Notes
- Kitchen Staples – Sugar
- Butter – Have at room temperature
- Unsweetened Chocolate – I like Ghirardelli brand which can be found at most grocery store chains.
- Soft Ladyfingers – I can find them at our Kroger grocery stores. Buy 2 packages, though you won’t need them all.
- Eggs – Note that they will not be cooked as often is the case when making mousse. Do not serve this to the very young, very old, or immune-suppressed unless you use pasteurized eggs.
- Irish Cream – I use Baileys
- Sweetened Whipped Cream and Green Candies – Optional to garnish.
Recipe Tips
Of all the fancy, schmancy desserts I make, this is one of the easiest. With a crust made of store-bought ladyfingers and an easy, homemade mousse to fill it, the hardest part of creating this dessert is washing the dishes!
- Ladyfingers line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan. Start by lining the sides of the springform pan with ladyfingers standing up like soldiers. Next, fill the bottom of the pan with as many whole ladyfingers as will fit, and then cut pieces to tuck into any voids.
- If you’d like, place an empty mixing bowl, slightly smaller than the inside of the crust, into the pan. It will help keep the ladyfingers in line as you make the mousse.
- To make the mousse, make sure you start with room-temperature butter so it will blend well into the sugar.
- Don’t worry if the mixture looks a bit curdled as once the chocolate becomes incorporated, eventually the mousse will become silky smooth. As always, I use one of my favorite kitchen tools, the offset spatula, to smooth out the top of the mousse.
- If you have access to fresh eggs from a trusted source or pasteurized eggs, use those to prevent or minimize the chance of acquiring salmonella, a food borne illness that’s often associated with raw eggs.
- PRO-Tip: If you don’t use pasteurized eggs (they’re hard for me to find locally!), use caution and don’t serve this dessert to the very young, elderly or anyone who is immune suppressed.
- The raw eggs really do add a silkiness that’s hard to imitate with substitutions, though some of my Tuesdays with Dorie friends used plain Greek yogurt when we made our Marquise au Chocolat. I have not tested this recipe with yogurt.
- You can also try to self-pasteurize your eggs at home.
- This dessert can be flavored with other liqueurs if you don’t have Irish Cream on hand. I like Grand Marnier, Kahlua and Frangelico with chocolate. But for St. Patrick’s Day, go for Baileys.
- If you’d prefer not to add any alcohol, I’d add a couple of teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mousse is a French term for foam or froth. Mousse is a light, airy rich dish that can be sweet or savory. Dessert mousses are usually made with whipped cream or eggs mixed with fruit purees or chocolate.
There is always a risk when eating uncooked eggs. They may contain salmonella bacteria which may cause food poisoning. Recipes with uncooked eggs should be avoided by the very young, very old, or anyone with a compromised immune system.
Pasteurized eggs used to be readily available in some grocery stores, but this product seems to be discontinued. See my recipe tips above for a link on how to pasteurize your eggs at home.
You May Also Like
This Irish Chocolate Mousse Cake isn’t just for St. Patrick’s Day. It is guaranteed to turn heads (and dazzle taste buds) any time of the year. I added big green malted milk balls for my Irish ancestors, but feel free to go wild with your garnishes depending on the occasion. Erin go bragh, my friends!
- Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Cake from Saving Room for Dessert
- Malted Mousse Cake from A Family Feast
- Strawberry Mousse Cake from Inside BruCrew Life
- Layered Chocolate Mousse Cake
- Chocolate Mousse Cake
- Frozen Chocolate Mousse Cake
- Plus, all my Best Dessert Recipes
Irish Chocolate Mousse Cake
A crown of ladyfingers filled with luscious chocolate mousse flavored with Irish cream.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- 2 packages soft ladyfingers (you will not need them all)
- 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 6 eggs (pasteurized preferred)
- 2+ tablespoons Irish cream
- Sweetened whipped cream, to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Melt chocolate in a microwave microwave-safe bowl, stopping to stir at 30-second intervals till smooth and melted. Set aside and let cool while preparing crust and mousse.
- Separate ladyfingers and use to line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat butter till light. Slowly add sugar and beat till fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating each till fully incorporated. Mix in Irish cream.
- Mix in cooled chocolate.
- Pour filling into ladyfinger lined pan and smooth top.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, whip cream and garnish as desired, or serve slices with a dollop of whipped cream.
Notes
Total time does not include the 2+ hours chilling time.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 305Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 63mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 4gSugar: 26gProtein: 8g
66 Comments on “Irish Chocolate Mousse Cake”
Such a great recipe, yum!
Egad, I thought those were Jawbreakers. I have never seen colored malted milk balls. Love the idea of this. Would you believe I have never used store-bought ladyfingers before? I do like everything about Irish Cream and am well-acquainted with that product! Nice post.
Happy St. Paddy’s Day to you and yours! What a beautiful recipe, the mousse looks so luxurious and luscious. The decoration is lovely too.
I always thought that all Canadian eggs are pasteurized but it doesn’t seem so. Never-the-less, I’ve never gotten sick from eating cookie dough 😉
Save me a slice! 🙂
Wow, this is truly a stunner Liz! I would eat the whole damn thing! I talked to Kelly yesterday about your delicious blog! Maybe your ear was itching a bit….’twas the 2 of us!
Enjoy St. Patty’s Day! We’re down in West Palm at the Marriott Oceana Palms where you’ve stayed … here on Spring Break and sadly leaving tomorrow. But it’s lovely in SC now, so I can’t complain!
xoxo,
Roz
How long can this be refrigerated before eating? I don’t want to make it to far in advance and have the lady fingers dissolve! ????
Can’t wait to taste this!
Hi, Dana,
You can make is a couple days ahead, just wrap it well in plastic wrap. We ate leftovers for a few days and the mousse wasn’t moist enough to soak into the lady fingers. Hope you enjoy!!!
This will be a huge hit at my house!!
Hi, it looks delicious and I am going to make it for our family’s holiday party this Sunday. Can you tell me what type of chocolate did you use? There are so many different kinds. Thank you.
Of course! I like using Ghriardelli unsweetened chocolate bars. Hope you enjoy!!!
There is not one thing I don’t like here! What a perfect treat for St Patrick’s Day!
Oh wait!!! I totally meant to give this stellar looking dessert 5 stars! I just wish I could give it more 🙂
Those green malted milk balls were a genius finishing touch – they herald to the world that this mousse is something special!!!!
Love how easy this is to make! Such a fun dessert for St. Patrick’s Day!
Oh Liz, this chocolate mousse cake looks fabulous and I love the no baking required…perfect for the upcoming St. Patrick’s day…thanks for the recipe.
I hope you are having a great weekend!
First is taste, of course, but I always love it when a dessert is so pretty, too, Liz!
This cake is to die for!
I made this delicious cake over the weekend! A chocolate lovers dream come true! Thanks for the fabulous recipe!
It was such a huge hit in my house!! Can’t wait to make it for St. Patrick’s Day!
That there is a slice of heaven!
Aww what a cake to celebrate St. Patrick’s day with! I can’t wait to make this one. Yumm-o.
Yum! Pinned to my St. Pat’s Day board.
Every bite is a heavenly bite 🙂
This cake looks AMAZING !!!
Ooooh yum, yum, yum, Liz! What a perfect treat for St. Patty’s Day or really, ANYTIME! Hugs from the Caribbean! Roz
Wow, look at that chocolate deliciousness!
That looks just too tempting. OMG, I have to make this recipe. Thanks, Liz, for sharing. Have a nice day!
Gosh, this one sounds beyond delicious and is so beautifully decorated. You’re such a star, Liz!
Lizzy,
I love all your decadent desserts and this one looks fabulous too. I’ll have to live to 150 to have enough time to make all your desserts.
Annamaria
This cake is great!I love the ladyfingers… so festive 🙂
this gorgeous,soft mousse cake is like our dream come true…chocolate and mint pair so well together…especially in a cake with a soft,creamy texture…yum,thanks 🙂
You said the magic word… chocolate! I want a slice right now for breakfast. 🙂
I’m so happy I get to eat as well as drink Irish cream now. Lovely recipe 🙂
Sounds like a perfect dessert for St Patrick’s Day. I love the idea of using Irish Cream in this dessert. It just sounds totally yummy!
Oh I love the use of ladyfingers – it really does add to the presentation. Oh and ahuh – go the Irish cream!!!
I love that this has Irish Creme in it. I bet it tastes terrific!
Oh, that first one looks so sinfully delicious! Using ladyfingers as the crust is a terrific idea, Liz 🙂
This looks melt in your mouth delicious Liz. I make a French Silk that is similar but I love the addition of lady fingers, yum!
Using ladyfingers for the crust is brilliant.
Beautiful mousse cake Liz…I love how you assembled with lady fingers…so delicate and elegant.
Hope you are enjoying your week 🙂
What a cake, that mousse layer is positively towering!! I love this cake!
Wow… It looks super scrumptious and festive! Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Liz!
This looks so delicious … it is on my list with a twist …:) thanks for the recipe Liz
Who can resist chocolate mousse! Especially with Irish cream and butter. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.
What a beautiful cake – love chocolate mousse, and it’s decorated beautifully!
There isn’t St Patrick’s day here but this cake will be welcome anyway ! Looks amazing Liz !
This is such a stunning cake, Liz! The ladyfingers sound amazing with the creamy chocolate filling! This is so pretty and perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!
Looks wonderful Liz, really really love the Irish Cream used in this recipe. I can imagine the taste, YUM!
What a head turner, Liz! I love every thing about this, from the Irish cream, to that silky mousse and the ladyfingers!
Luck o’ the Irish cream is sure to bless anyone who tastes your marvelous mousse and ladyfingers creation, Liz! Loverly! (As are all your other desserts – but that goes without saying, right?)
What a beautiful and elegant-looking mousse cake. I love the ladyfingers!
Liz – this is gorgeous! My mouth is watering just looking at it!
Amazing job as always! 🙂
-Mary
Seriously, Liz, how DO you stay skinny??!!! Your desserts look so wonderful, and this one is no exception. I just LOVE it.
I love irish cream, and this dessert, omyyyy. I could eat the whole cake. Liz, you baking skills are amazing.
Would you look at that thick slice! Gold star for you Liz!
Oh cheers my lady with t his Irish whiskey infused chocolate mousse, so good. Great idea for lady fingers in this recipe.
I love the height of this cake! The perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
What a lovely dessert for St. Patrick’s Day…my Irish Granny O’Brien would be excited about this one for sure. 🙂 Love that little bird plate stand, you find the most interesting things for display. And mostly I am excited that you are posting March things because surely March means springtime soon, right? Right!! 🙂
I think I need some alone time with that cake! YUM!
Irish cream? I’m in! Wonderful recipe, terrific photos. A+! Thanks for this.
wow! Your mousse cake looks amazing! I love Irish Cream taste! Want to try it so bad!
What a lovely presentation, Liz. Irish cream? Yum!!!!!
Liz!!! Irish Chocolate Mousse Cake infused with Irish Cream?!!! I love this! and love the ladyfingers!! I want this for St. Patty’s day!!!
What a pretty cake! It looks so good, I just want to take a bite!
Oh this looks good. The raw eggs count me out just now but soon….this could be my first decadent treat after the baby. Saving for later!!
I’m dying to make something chocolate/mint for St. Patty’s Day! Your cake is gorgeous and I love the pop of green I see in the Grasshopper Cheesecake Bars too:@)
Cake with Irish cream.. it just looks fantastic!