Top Secret Chocolate Mousse
My dear FFwD friends were the first to tease me about my tendency to garnish every dessert with raspberries (some even suggesting I place them with mathematical precision using tweezers). To celebrate our blogging group, I knew I’d have to share a dessert avec des framboises and Dorie’s decadent Top Secret Chocolate Mousse came to mind. I was more than willing to make it again.
What I’ve Gained from FFwD
Besides expanding my cooking horizons more than I’d ever imagined (as a dessert aficionado, I never expected to have so many seafood recipes on my blog!), this FFwD experience introduced me to incredible foodies from across the globe. These friendships were cemented by visiting each other’s blogs week after week.
My Dorista friends could predict when the picky hubby would revolt—though there were a few surprises. After 4+ years (no, make that 4 years, 7 months and 21 days), stories beyond the making of the dish of the week were shared. For this unexpected benefit, I’m most grateful. I know I’ll continue to visit my friends’ blogs; our bonds cannot be easily broken. This French chocolate mousse is the perfect grande finale!
French Chocolate Mousse AKA Top Secret Chocolate Mousse
Dorie revealed that nearly every chocolate mousse she was served at a Parisian dinner party seemed to be from the same unknown source. Turns out the “top secret” chocolate mousse recipe was on the back of a bar of Nestlé Dessert Chocolate. So I joined the ranks of French hostesses and made this terrific mousse once again.
Nick had been hounding me for strawberry shortcake for weeks and there were the makings for one last berry dessert in the fridge. When he saw the mousse, he reminded me that mousse trumps all–even strawberry shortcake.
And one last quote from Bill, “No curry in it; it’s great.” along with “Do not quote me on the blog.” After nearly 30 years of wedded bliss, he knows I’m not exactly an obedient wife! This is one fabulous mousse, rich and dreamy. All those Parisian hostesses were on to something! Plus it looks fab with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream and a berry or two. Natch!
Top Secret Chocolate Mousse
Dorie Greenspan's French chocolate mousse with a few subtle tweaks.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 3 large eggs (pasteurized preferred, I used Safest Choice brand), separated, room temperature
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon coffee extract (if not using, up the vanilla to 1 teaspoon)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- Fresh raspberries, mint and sweetened whipped cream to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Place chocolate in microwave safe bowl and microwave at 50%, stopping and stirring frequently till chocolate is almost melted. Let sit a minute, then stir till smooth.
- Add egg yolks, one at a time, to warm melted chocolate and whisk until smooth. Stir in extracts.
- Using a hand or stand mixer, beat egg whites and pinch of salt in another medium bowl until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, beating constantly until whites are glossy and firm peaks form.
- Using a spatula, fold 1/4 of beaten whites into chocolate mixture to lighten. Gently fold remaining whites into chocolate just until incorporated.
- Divide mousse among 4 bowls. Cover and chill about 4 hours. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream, berries and mint to serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 186Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 141mgSodium: 89mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 6g
The recipe can be found in Dorie Greenspan’s magnificent cookbook, Around My French Table. If you’d like to see what the other “Doristas” shared on their last ever FFwD post, check out the LYL section for Le Fin/Grand Finale on the French Fridays website.
More Chocolate Mousse Recipes I’ve Made:
Black Bottom Chocolate Mousse Pie
56 Comments on “Top Secret Chocolate Mousse”
This is the best chocolate mousse I have ever made. Totally delicious!
My daughter and husband love this recipe! Chocolate anything is a must in this house! Can’t wait to make again!
A dessert I would gravitate, too,….chocolate mousse every time! Oh, I would pay for it with a migraine probably. 😉
This looks wonderful; so creamy and elegant! What a great recipe, Liz 🙂
You are so right about the bonds you make with the ones you cook/bake online with each week. I’ve done quite a few groups, some large, some small, but all very rewarding. Lol on Bill and the blog and Matt would agree with Nick on the mousse/shortcake vote. I will miss all your posts for FFWD…it was such fun to see what you all learned each week. 🙂 And, btw, that raspberry placement thing does sound plausible as it always looks so exactly perfect! xo
Oh man. If I weren’t pregnant I’d be making chocolate mousse tonight. These photos have me drooling. I’m hoping to get back into TWD now that FFWD is wrapping up, so I will follow your blog through that.
Once again Liz, you mesmerize all of us with your incredible photos, beautiful stories, and passion for the culinary arts. You are a master!
Lizzy,
Your mousse looks so decadent. It would be a hit in my house too.
Annamaria
It’s been quite a journey and this is a beautiful way to end it. You made it all look so easy!
Your raspberries are indeed a TSCCB trademark, Liz. And a very gorgeous one at that. Giggle, giggle at the source of the secret mousse which does indeed look magnifique!
Liz I love that you ended up with a chocolate dessert garnished with raspberries and mint! You have stayed true to your style and I know French Fridays with Dorie has helped you refine that style even more. I will miss weekly stories from your cooking adventures but I will look for you and Lizzy in the blogoverse! Take care!
I KNOW I should read what I wrote before I hit post! But I didn’t:) Izzy. I meant Izzy!
Liz, I don’t know what we would have done without your raspberry stash or Bill stories or your sweet tooth to brighten things up. It has been a pleasure to get to know you over the past several years and I will continue to enjoy seeing what you come up with next. XOXO
Liz, it has been a pleasure and a true honor to get to know you and your lovely family through this AMFT cooking/baking adventure. And how very fitting that you would end this your/our journey with an all out-chocolate post!
Amazing and picture perfect – to me, this is you!
All the best for now ans I am sure to “see” you very soon,
Andrea
The mousse was a wonderful choice – it’s a perfect example of what is so wonderful about Dorie’s recipes and stories. It also showcases your food styling beautifully. I think Bill’s voice is firmly entrenched in all the Doristas’ minds by now, whether you quote him or not! Looking forward to seeing where your food adventures take you.
“Do not quote me on the blog” –> I’m dying laughing! 😉 This mousse looks divine!