Chef John's Dark Chocolate Mousse

4.7
(98)

This has a pinch of chile pepper as the secret ingredient. It's firm yet unbelievably light and airy. The little bit of chile pepper is in there just to bring out the flavor of the chocolate and add a tiny bit of delicious heat. Garnish each serving with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of shaved chocolate.

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Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
5 mins
Additional Time:
4 hrs
Total Time:
4 hrs 25 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 3 ½ ounces dark chocolate, chopped

  • 1 tablespoon butter

  • 2 tablespoons water

  • teaspoon ground dried chipotle pepper

  • 1 tiny pinch salt

  • 2 large egg yolks

  • 2 tablespoons water

  • 1 tablespoon white sugar

  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream, chilled

  • 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream, chilled

Directions

  1. Bring a saucepan of water to a simmer over low heat. Place chocolate, butter, 2 tablespoons water, ground chipotle pepper, and salt in a heatproof bowl; set bowl over the simmering water. When the butter melts, whisk the chocolate mixture gently until smooth and shiny. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.

  2. Whisk egg yolks, 2 tablespoons water, and sugar in another heatproof bowl over the same pan of simmering water until egg yolk mixture is foamy and hot to the touch, about 3 minutes. Pour hot egg mixture into warm chocolate mixture, whisk until smooth, and set over a bowl of ice to chill. Whisk constantly until mixture has cooled to room temperature or slightly cooler.

  3. Pour 1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon cold cream into a chilled metal bowl; whisk until cream holds soft peaks. Place about half the whipped cream into the cooled chocolate mixture; gently fold the cream into the chocolate. Repeat with remaining half of whipped cream, folding gently until nearly all the streaks have disappeared. Divide mousse into 4 6-ounce ramekins.

  4. Cover each ramekin with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours (up to overnight) before serving.

298 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

297 Calories
25g Fat
20g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 297
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 25g 32%
Saturated Fat 15g 74%
Cholesterol 156mg 52%
Sodium 89mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 3g 6%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 42mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 125mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.