This is the perfect summer dessert. You only need 5 ingredients to make this no-bake chocolate mousse. It’s also simply a matter of combining the ingredients together. There is no baking involved whatsoever!
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Chocolate mousse is a classic dessert that appeals to everyone who loves chocolate. It’s light, creamy and delicious as well as ideal for pretty much any occasion.
You can make this no-bake chocolate mousse dessert ahead of time so it’s a perfect pick for your next dinner party. With its wonderful flavor and light, airy texture, it always ends a meal on the perfect note.
When I'm in the mood for custardy desserts, I also like to make bread and butter pudding or this delicious raisin rice pudding.
Main Ingredients
All ingredients in this no-bake chocolate mousse recipe are main ingredients since there are only five things you need! I expect you already have most of them on hand:
- Heavy cream: For a rich, creamy consistency. The cream is a key component and certainly gives it an indulgent feel. There aren’t any substitutions.
- Egg yolk: They help bind and emulsify the mousse, which means to tie and hold all the ingredients together. It also adds a rich flavor.
- Sugar: For sweetness. White sugar works better, but if you want to experiment with other types or even artificial sweeteners, go ahead. You only need one tablespoon of sugar because the chocolate chips also add sweetness.
- Chocolate chips: To give flavor to the mousse and sweeten it. I love using semisweet chocolate chips here, but you might like to try other kinds - even white chocolate chips. Since chocolate is the main flavor of this recipe, I’d advise using good-quality chocolate here. If you are using bittersweet chocolate chips, taste the mixture after combining the ingredients because it might need additional sugar.
- Butter: To enrich the mousse. The butter is melted with the chocolate chips to make the mixture more liquid and easier to blend. You could switch it for margarine, but butter tastes so much better.
Instructions Overview
This delicious recipe is very simple to prepare, even if you’re brand new to making no-bake chocolate mousse. Once you have gathered all the ingredients, you can get started.
The chocolate chips and butter are melted in the microwave. You could use a double-boiler instead or even a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water, but honestly, the microwave just makes everything faster and easier!
Use a mixer to beat the heavy cream until you get soft peaks. Now you can mix in the sugar, egg yolk, and chocolate mixture. Beat a little more and then spoon the mixture into serving glasses.
Common Questions
Whenever I make this type of mousse the consistency is always good. However, I know sometimes things can go wrong! If your mousse doesn't seem to be setting, there is something you can do. Combine a tablespoon of cornstarch with either milk or water and stir it into the mousse if it's still liquid. Warm the mousse mixture up in a pan to activate the cornstarch and it should thicken. Divide it between serving glasses and refrigerate it until set. The flavor shouldn't change, just the consistency.
This is another potential issue. If the mousse comes out watery it's probably because you didn't beat the cream for long enough, or it could also be you didn't beat the mousse mixture for long enough at the end. The heavy cream should be whipped until it forms soft peaks. Once all the ingredients are combined you should beat the mousse for about 15 seconds. Don't give it much longer or else it will get too thick and maybe also clumpy.
If the mousse hasn't come out right you might be curious if you can just whip it again. However, this isn't likely to work. Mousse is fluffy and light because of the air you mix in during whipping. If you re-whip it you will remove the air and break down the fluffy texture, ending up with something more like chocolate frosting. If the mousse isn't light and airy enough, you're probably better off starting over.
Keep it refrigerated and covered with plastic wrap for up to 3 days.
You can prepare this a few days ahead, but it tastes better served within a day.
Yes! Homemade mousse can be frozen for up to 2 months. Just let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
There are many garnishes that suit this dessert, such as strawberry slices, fresh mint sprigs, or whipped cream. This delicious dessert makes a great finish to your evening meal. Consider pairing it with espresso or even a shot of your favorite liqueur.
This is a common question because so many desserts (and some salad dressings) are prepared with raw egg yolks. The truth is, "in-shell pasteurized eggs may be used safely without cooking" per the USDA.
Chopnotch Tips
- Have fun with garnishes and decorations. Anything from a fresh strawberry or raspberry to a sprig of fresh mint or a squirt of whipped cream will enhance this delicious no-bake chocolate mousse.
- A large pastry bag tip such as Wilton's 2D means you can pipe the mousse into serving glasses to make it look really elegant. That is completely optional though of course.
- I like to serve this in fancy glasses. You can use any glasses you have or even pretty stemware such as martini glasses.
- Serve it with your favorite coffee, perhaps espresso, or pair it with a sweet sparkling red wine or rich port-style wine.
No-bake chocolate mousse is an iconic and classic dessert that everyone knows and loves. The flavor is second to none and the light, airy texture makes each mouthful melt on your tongue.
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Recipe
How to Make
No-Bake Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 egg yolk, pasteurised
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate chips. Put chips and butter into a glass bowl and microwave for 15 seconds. Stir well and repeat. Stir the mixture with a spoon until all the chips melt and the mixture is smooth.
- Beat the heavy cream with a mixer it has soft peaks. Add sugar, melted chocolate, and egg yolk and then mix well.
- Use mixer and beat chocolate and cream mixture, for 10-15 seconds. Pour the mousse into a serving glass. Chill or serve immediately, both ways work perfect.
Notes
- Have fun with garnishes and decorations. Anything from a fresh strawberry or raspberry to a sprig of fresh mint or a squirt of whipped cream will enhance this delicious mousse.
- A large pastry bag tip such as Wilton's 2D means you can pipe the mousse into serving glasses to make it look really elegant. That is completely optional though of course.
- I like to serve this in fancy glasses. You can use any glasses you have or even pretty stemware such as martini glasses.
- Serve it with your favorite coffee, perhaps espresso, or pair it with a sweet sparkling red wine or rich port-style wine.
