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Classic Chocolate Mousse (VIDEO)

Learn how to make Classic Chocolate Mousse that is decadent, airy and intensely chocolatey. A generous dollop of whipped cream, shaved chocolate and fresh raspberries make this a romantic, special occasion dessert.

Add this dark chocolate mousse to your Valentines Day menu along with Filet Mignon or Lobster Tails for a truly memorable dinner!

Classic chocolate mousse served in ramekins for Valentines Day

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Chocolate Mousse!

Many of the “easy” chocolate mousse recipes take shortcuts which result in something that looks like mousse but tastes like chocolate pudding. This ‘Mousse de chocolate’ is something you might try in a fancy restaurant, but it’s simple to achieve these same results at home.

My husband and I took a “date night” cooking class together at Sur La Table and the chef taught this recipe for classic French mousse. We both were smitten with how intensely flavorful it was without being overly sweet.

Chocolate mousse in a cup with whipped cream, shaved chocolate and fresh raspberries

How to Make Chocolate Mousse:

This recipe comes together in 3 bowls and you will need a medium saucepan with 2″ of boiling water to serve as a hot water bath or “bain marie” to melt the chocolate and heat/thicken the egg yolks mixture. (I added Amazon affiliate links for tools we used)

  1. Melt chocolate with butter and coffee over simmering water
  2. Heat yolks with sugar and vanilla over simmering water
  3. Fold yolk mixture into chocolate mixture
  4. Beat egg whites and sugar and fold into mousse in thirds
  5. Divide between ramekins and refrigerate

chocolate mousse spoonful with whipped cream

Tips for Raw Egg Safety:

Since even pasteurized eggs can become contaminated, raw egg consumption is not recommended for the elderly, pregnant women, very young children and immune-compromised individuals. Follow these tips for egg safety:

  • Never use cracked, chipped or dirty eggs
  • Only buy eggs from the refrigerated section of grocery stores
  • Keeps eggs refrigerated and handle with clean hands
  • Do not use expired eggs
  • Use eggs from trusted sources

Ingredients for chocolate mousse with chocolate, raw eggs, raspberries, butter, coffee and whipping cream

Cooks tip: The coffee amplifies the flavor of the chocolate so do not skip it. Espresso or dark brewed coffee work well.

If you love chocolate desserts, try these next:

Watch Natasha Make Chocolate Mousse:

I hope you are inspired to recreate this homemade chocolate mousse!

Classic Chocolate Mousse

4.96 from 42 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
How to make Classic Chocolate Mousse that is decadent, airy and luxuriously chocolatey. Easy, sophisticated chocolate dessert with whipped cream and raspberries. #chocolatemousse #mousse #chocolatedessert #dessert #natashaskitchen #valentinesday #valentinesdaydessert #classicchocolatemousse #frenchchocolatemousse
Learn how to make Classic Chocolate Mousse that is decadent, airy and intensely chocolatey.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Refrigeration: 2 hours
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 4 oz servings

For the Chocolate Mousse:

  • 4 large eggs
  • 6 oz bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped or broken up
  • 6 oz unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1/4 cup strongly brewed coffee or espresso
  • 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp granulated sugar, divided
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Toppings:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp chocolate shavings
  • 16 raspberries

Instructions

How to Make Chocolate Mousse:

  • In a medium heat-proof mixing bowl, combine 6 oz chopped chocolate, 6 oz butter, 1/4 cup coffee. Heat a medium saucepan with 2-inches of water to a boil. Place your bowl with chocolate over a saucepan of simmering water so the bowl over the steam and not touching the water. Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Separate eggs and put 4 yolks in a large heat-proof mixing bowl with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Whisk to combine. Place bowl over the saucepan of boiling water, and whisk until thickened, hot to the touch and lightened in color (about 4 minutes). Remove from heat. Use a spatula to stir chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, mixing until blended.
  • Place 4 whites in a third medium bowl. Beat until foamy. Gradually add 1 Tbsp sugar and continue beating until medium peaks form. Fold egg whites into the batter one third at a time, fully incorporating between each addition. Once all egg whites are in, stop folding when mousse is smooth and even in color.
  • Divide mousse between 8 (4oz) ramekins, cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or ideally overnight.

How to Make Whipped Cream and Assembly:

  • In a medium bowl, beat together heavy cream with 1 Tbsp sugar and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract on medium/high speed until soft peaks form. 
  • Spoon generous dollops of whipped cream over chilled chocolate mousse cups and top with shaved chocolate and raspberries.

Notes

What you will need: 1 medium mixing bowl, 1 medium heat-proof bowl, 1 large heat-proof bowl, 1 medium saucepan filled with 2" water.

Nutrition Per Serving

478kcal Calories27g Carbs5g Protein39g Fat23g Saturated Fat169mg Cholesterol47mg Sodium194mg Potassium2g Fiber22g Sugar1100IU Vitamin A1.2mg Vitamin C50mg Calcium1.9mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Classic Chocolate Mousse
Amount per Serving
Calories
478
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
39
g
60
%
Saturated Fat
 
23
g
144
%
Cholesterol
 
169
mg
56
%
Sodium
 
47
mg
2
%
Potassium
 
194
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
27
g
9
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
22
g
24
%
Protein
 
5
g
10
%
Vitamin A
 
1100
IU
22
%
Vitamin C
 
1.2
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
50
mg
5
%
Iron
 
1.9
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Keyword: chocolate mousse
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 478
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the creator behind Natasha's Kitchen (established in 2009), and I share family-friendly, authentic recipes. I am a New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author and a trusted video personality in the culinary world. My husband, Vadim, and I run this blog together, ensuring every recipe we share is thoroughly tested and approved. Our mission is to provide you with delicious, reliable recipes you can count on. Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy you are here.

Read more posts by Natasha

4.96 from 42 votes (21 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Ava
    October 19, 2020

    Hi Natasha
    can I use instant coffe instead of expresso coffe?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 19, 2020

      Hi Ava, I haven’t tested this with instant coffee but our readers have. I recommend following packaging instructions and reading through our recipe comments from our readers.

      Reply

  • Amy
    October 7, 2020

    Hello,
    I want to try using this mousse in between chocolate cake layers. Do you think it will firm up in the fridge over night?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 7, 2020

      Hi Amy, to be honest, I haven’t tested that to advise. It may work but I worry it won’t be as stable to hold up layers.

      Reply

  • Yen
    August 27, 2020

    Thank for another awesome chocolate recipe. It is so yummy every time we have it. Can’t live without it now 😂😂

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 27, 2020

      You’re most welcome. Thank you too for trying out this recipe!

      Reply

  • Chasity Morrisseau
    July 11, 2020

    Hi Natasha
    Can this recipe be used to add in a trifle dessert , should it be set and cooled in the fridge first then added ? Thanks so much for your great recipes and energy

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 11, 2020

      Hi Chasity, I have not tested this in a trifle to advise but that sounds delicious! Cooling it may be best to allow it to thicken. If you experiment I would love to know how you like this in a trifle.

      Reply

  • Beckie
    June 7, 2020

    I’ve made several different recipes for mousse but this was definitely the best! Light and airy but very rich in flavor. The espresso flavor was subtle but it definitely came through. Will be making it again and again.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 7, 2020

      Super! I love your great feedback, Beckie thank you for sharing that with us.

      Reply

  • Amara
    June 3, 2020

    Hi I’m Amara and I’m 8 yrs old
    We made the mousse and it has split,What changes should we make next time?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 4, 2020

      Hi Amara, I’m so glad you’re trying our recipes. I haven’t had that happen before, with it splitting. Was anything altered in the recipe or any steps skipped? Its hard to say without being there.

      Reply

  • Lucy
    June 2, 2020

    Hi Natasha
    I was wondering is there any way to substitute the heavy whipping cream for something else.
    Thank you so much!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 3, 2020

      Hello Lucy, I haven’t tried using anything else other than heavy whipping cream to advise.

      Reply

  • Shirley Loden
    May 30, 2020

    Hi Natasha

    Some things are hard to find….I have dark chocolate is that close enough to the bittersweet chocolate? I’m trying to make something as close as possible to the Mocha Mousse cake that’s always on the dessert bar at Chinese restaurants. This with your chocolate cake may come real close. (fingers crossed)

    Reply

    • Natasha
      June 1, 2020

      Hi Shirley, I think that should work fine with dark chocolate – dark chocolate can vary quite a bit – some are darker while some are sweeter than others.

      Reply

  • Mirna
    May 29, 2020

    Hello
    I want to make a mousse cake with this recipe
    But I have just one question.
    Will the mousse hold if I make it in a spring pan and then take it out? Or will it fall apart then
    Thank you for yor answer
    And thank you for the best baking tip and recipies

    Reply

    • Natasha
      May 29, 2020

      Hi Mirna, I haven’t tested it that way but I think it would be difficult to try to cut into it since it is a mousse texture and not really a cake texture.

      Reply

  • vladylina
    May 19, 2020

    im 12 and i love this my family is absesed with it and i make it at least once a week

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 20, 2020

      Wow that is awesome!

      Reply

  • Douchka Nikolic
    May 11, 2020

    Hello: I made this recipe of choc. mousse several times, then made it for Mother’s Day and it got all runny. Used the freshest ingredients. Why’d it get runny? please help. Thank you!!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      May 11, 2020

      Hi, did you have a chance to watch the video to see if the texture looked different at any point? That might help to see where something went wrong. Also, make sure to keep it chilled in the refrigerator and let it chill to fully set before serving.

      Reply

  • Laura
    April 23, 2020

    Do I have to add coffee I don’t want to?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 23, 2020

      Hi Laura, We have only tried this with coffee – from my research coffee really enhances the flavor of chocolate but you could substitute with water instead and the recipe would still work.

      Reply

  • Sabrina
    March 28, 2020

    I am 9 years old and I made this today for my family. Everyone said it was the best thing they have ever tasted!! I love all your recipes,
    thank you, Natasha!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 28, 2020

      That’s so awesome, Sabrina! Thank you for that great review.

      Reply

  • Jack Dunham
    March 4, 2020

    I only want to make 4 of these.. so, no problem halving the recipe ?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 5, 2020

      That should be alright Jack. Let us know how it goes!

      Reply

  • Ranjina
    March 4, 2020

    Hi Natasha,

    How can I make this without raw eggs in it? Will this recipe work just the same if I use the whole egg instead of just cooking the yolks on the double boiler?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      March 5, 2020

      Hi Ranjina, you might try pasteurized eggs if you are concerned. Also, I haven’t tried that modification so I can’t say for sure what other modifications would have to be made or how it would affect the outcome.

      Reply

  • Jane C.
    February 21, 2020

    Your chocolate mousse was a hit in my household! It’s my daughter’s favorite dessert and she said your recipe is the best she’s tasted! Love all your recipes! Keep up the great work!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 22, 2020

      That’s so awesome! Thank you so much for sharing that with me Jane!

      Reply

  • Elena Smityukh
    February 15, 2020

    Hey so for the butter do you just use 6 tablespoons from the butter stick or weigh it out for 6 oz?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 16, 2020

      Hi Elena, we use 6 tbsp based on packaging measurement.

      Reply

  • Janice Andreasen
    February 15, 2020

    This chocolate mousse was absolutely delicious! I made it for Valentine’s Day dinner tonight for my husband. Thank you for the perfect recipe!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 15, 2020

      You’re welcome! I’m so glad you both enjoyed that! I hope you had a lovely Valentine’s day!

      Reply

  • Cindy Harris
    February 11, 2020

    Hello Natasha..I could not get bittersweet chocolate I did however get Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate can I use one of these instead of the bittersweet chocolate?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 11, 2020

      Hi Cindy! That should work. I have tried the combination of both, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.

      Reply

  • Cindy A
    February 7, 2020

    The recipe says it makes 8 servings but in the video you made 6. Were you using bigger ramekins?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 7, 2020

      Hi Cindy, the video does show 6 but the voiceover says it will fit 8 4oz ramekins, this recipe makes 8- 4oz ramekins. I hope that helps.

      Reply

      • Cindy A
        February 7, 2020

        Thank you so much, Natasha! I love your recipes and have made so many of them.

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          February 7, 2020

          I’m so glad to hear that, Cindy!

          Reply

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