Chocolate Mousse
on Jan 13, 2010, Updated Aug 22, 2024
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Thick and creamy homemade Chocolate Mousse made with just 4 simple ingredients, whipped into a perfectly fluffy chocolate dessert.
Chocolate mousse is perfect for special occasions because it feels a little fancy but only takes a few ingredients and is easy to make. No eggs or gelatin required!
This recipe also makes the perfect chocolate dessert for Valentine’s Day. If you have young kids at home, you can make it during the day in preparation for the big night. For more easy dessert ideas for Valentine’s Day, try this chocolate and cheese board or these dark chocolate cookies.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Chocolate mousse is a delicious dessert that’s sure to impress for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.
- It’s easy to make because it only requires four ingredients.
- This chocolate mousse recipe can be easily customized with different flavors and toppings, allowing for endless possibilities to create a unique and personal dessert.
- It’s a great way to satisfy a chocolate craving but won’t leave you feeling too full.
Recipe Ingredients
- Heavy whipping cream: Be sure to get heavy whipping cream for this recipe. Learn more about the difference between heavy whipping cream and whipping cream here.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: You could also use milk or dark chocolate chips.
- Light corn syrup: This is added to make the texture more smooth. It can be omitted if you don’t want to use it.
- Vanilla extract.
- Coconut, almond, or cherry extract: This is totally optional if you want to customize the flavor of the mousse.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities
How to Make Chocolate Mousse
Step #1. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler with 2/3 cup of the cream and the corn syrup.
Step #2. Once melted and smooth, stir in the vanilla (and the flavored extract if using). Then, stir in remaining cream.
Step #3. After the mousse is chilled in the refrigerator, beat with an electric mixer until whipped and light, about 3 minutes.
Step #4. Place in serving dishes or ramekins and garnish with additional whipped cream and/or chocolate shavings if desired.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can make it up to a day in advance. But don’t put it in the individual serving containers until a few hours before you plan on serving it. That way, if it needs a second quick whipping to return it to extra fluffy, it’s easy to do.
Yes. Leftovers can be frozen and eaten like ice cream. But don’t freeze this recipe if you are after a traditional chocolate mousse’s fluffy texture. If you freeze and then thaw this recipe, the texture isn’t great.
How long should I refrigerate the mousse before it is completely chilled?
This chocolate mousse should be chilled about 90 minutes. Be sure to use a glass or metal bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out.
What kind of serving dishes are best for this chocolate mousse recipe?
Use a ramekin or any small pretty glass or ceramic container that you have on-hand.
Expert Tips
- The sweetness in this recipe comes from the chocolate. This recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can use milk chocolate if you prefer a sweeter mousse.
- Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to mix the mousse after it chills. You’ll get a much lighter mousse than trying to mix it by hand.
- Add a few colored sprinkles for any holiday. Garnish with a few red and pink heart sprinkles, and it’s an easy make-ahead dessert perfect for Valentine’s Day!
More Dessert Recipes to Consider
Dessert Recipes
Rhubarb Crumb Bars
Cookies
Maple Sugar Cookies
Pies, Crisps & Tarts
Healthy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Pies, Crisps & Tarts
Homemade Coconut Cream Pie
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon coconut, almond, or cherry extract (optional)
Instructions
- In a double boiler, melt chocolate chips with 2/3 cup of the cream and the corn syrup.
- Once melted and smooth, stir in vanilla and flavored extract, if using.
- Stir in remaining 1 1/3 cup cream and stir to combine.
- Place in a glass or metal bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until completely chilled.
- When chilled, beat with electric mixer until whipped and light, about 3 minutes.
- Place in serving dishes or ramekins and serve cold.
- Garnish with additional whipped cream and/or chocolate shavings if desired.
Notes
- Select a high-quality brand of chocolate chips with your desired level of sweetness — use dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips for a richer flavor and milk chocolate for a sweeter dessert.
- Using an electric mixer will give you a much lighter mousse than trying to mix it by hand.
- The corn syrup creates a smoother texture but is not required for a delicious chocolate mousse.
- You can make this chocolate mousse up to a day ahead but be sure to store it in the refrigerator.
I made this for Valentine’s Day and it was so easy and delicious! Definitely a keeper. I may make this chocolate mousse again this weekend. Thanks for the recipe!
MELISSA! First of all i LOVE this blog!! ANd SECOND of all I have been meaning to find a chocolate mousse recipe – i will definitely have to try this out!!! I’m so excited!!