The 2-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse I Swear By for Dinner Parties (2024)

FAQs

What are two components in a mousse? ›

To take a step back, mousses generally comprise four components – the base, the egg foam, a setting agent and whipped cream. Bases are the flavour element to the mousse and can be fruit purees, custards or ganache.

While the ingredients are similar, chocolate pudding is cooked on the stove to activate the cornstarch or flour, depending on the recipe. Mousse is not cooked. It develops its airy texture just from whipped cream.

The mousse can be stored in the fridge for up to four days, though is at its best within the first two days. We would suggest covering the tops of the glasses or ramekins tightly with food wrap, so that the surface of the mousse doesn't dry out too much.

Pull this chocolate mousse recipe together with four simple ingredients: eggs, cream, sugar, and semisweet baking chocolate. The only trick is taking care when combining the ingredients — but the Betty Crocker Test Kitchens have made that part easy.

A mousse may be sweet or savoury.

This depends on the consistency of the whipped cream as well as the other ingredients used. Indeed, a small mistake can completely make or break your mousse as the light and creamy texture is the most important thing about a mousse. If your mousse feels grainy, it's because you have overwhipped your cream.

Four basic components of a Mousse

Mousse is a light and airy dessert made with eggs, sugar, heavy cream, and flavoring. All mousses have four basic components: aerated egg yolks, whipped egg whites, whipped cream, and a flavoring base.

Due to the creamy textures and bittersweet taste, chocolate mousse pairs well with alcoholic sweet wines and berry wines. The sweetness of the wines balances the bitterness of the chocolate, creating perfect harmony between their contrasting tastes. Shiraz works well with rich, dark desserts like chocolate mousse.

Mix 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1/2 tablespoon of cold milk for every 1 cup of finished souffle.

Mousse recipes that use raw eggs should be modified by heating the milk, eggs and sugar to 160 degrees F. Hillers recommends any recipe calling for raw eggs should be modified to either heat the eggs or to substitute a modified egg product. If your recipe can't be modified, Hillers advises finding a substitute recipe.

Can you eat chocolate mousse 2 days out of date? ›

Within reason, provided the food looks and smells as you would expect, it should be safe to eat, even if the 'best-before' date has passed.

Make-Ahead Instructions: Mousse can be made up to 1 day ahead of time. Cover with plastic wrap and keep chilled in the refrigerator. Add whipped cream topping and chocolate shavings up to a few hours before serving.

Common mistakes when making mousse (and how to fix them)

It's easy to remelt the chocolate in the microwave until smooth and try again. A grainy mousse is also a result of overbeating so only beat for 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture resembles lightly whipped cream.

Food science expert Harold McGee explains that “the small amount of water acts as a kind of glue, wetting the many millions of sugar and cocoa particles just enough to make patches of syrup that stick the particles together.” Chocolate can also seize if it gets too hot and scorches.

Mousse is made by folding beaten egg whites or whipped cream into a cold milk and sugar base. Unlike pudding, mousse is not cooked and the addition of air to the mixture leads to a fluffier consistency and lighter texture. Mousse is typically served chilled or frozen.

Heavy whipping cream is whipped up to soft peaks and is the primary source of aeration for the mousse. Sour cream adds body, texture, and flavor to the mousse. Powdered sugar adds a bit of sweetness. You can tailor this amount based on the type of chocolate you're using.

Made from either chocolate or fruit purees and lightened with whip cream. It may also include gelatin for a firmer texture. Used as a filling for cakes and pastries. Any sauce to which whipped cream or beaten egg whites have been added just prior to serving to give it a light, airy consistency.

Mousse is sweet with pureed ingredients, stiffly beaten egg whites, and whipped cream. Mousse is sometimes used to describe a gelatin dessert whipped to a froth after it has partially set. The three main characteristics of a mousse are smooth and velvety texture, light and airy, and a distinct yet delicate flavor.

A dry mix containing neutral flavorings. When prepared as directed with heavy cream, it yields a smooth creamy mousse that is a base for a wide variety of flavorings.