Sunday, May 20, 2012

Chocolate Mousse Made Easy + Other Myths of the Wooden Spoon

238
Who doesn't love chocolate mousse? Okay, I know there are crazy people out there who hate everything that has to do with chocolate, and to be honest, I'm not a huge fan, but I do get crazy cravings for chocolate ever so often. I've been making mousse since the beginning of time. Okay, not really, but for long enough that it's scratched in the back of my brain for eternity. But I was talking with some friends about baking and pastries and the like, and I mentioned mousse and they were so surprised that I made it at home sometimes. Like it was some kind of phenomena. After some further digging, I realized that they aren't the only ones who were terrified by the thought of making mousse, so here's mousse made easy, by me. 
241
The thing about chocolate mousse, just like french macarons, and really all french baking, is patience. You have to be patient and you have to follow the steps. I kid you not, if you make pate a chaoux and don't use a wooden spoon, I don't think it will come out. I don't know much about myths and legends, but I don't fool around when it comes to french pastries. Use a wooden spoon! 

Mousse is a really special dessert that I can't eat more than a few spoonfuls of, but when my boyfriend, who is sick sick sick, tells me he wants mousse and wants to buy it at the grocery store, I die a little on the inside, and then I stock up on supplies and make it. One millions times better and a little sweeter too.  

Here's what you need to make chocolate mousse:
12 ounces of semi sweet chocolate
1/2 cup of butter
2 1/2 cups of heavy cream
4 large eggs, separated
2 tsp of vanilla
1/2 cup of sugar

Melt your chocolate, vanilla and butter in a double boiler. I just boil water in a saucepan and place a metal bowl in the boiling water to melt my chocolate in. Stir with a wooden spoon. Once your chocolate is smooth, creamy and combined, take it off the heat. Temper your 4 egg yolks and whisk them in slowly. Once your egg yolks are combines, place your mixture into an ice bath to cool. 

Whip your 4 egg whites and sugar until stiff peaks form, place to the side. If you have a hard time whipping egg whites, add a pinch of cream of tartar, it will help your eggs stiffen. Whip your heavy cream place to the side. 

Once your chocolate mixture has cooled, fold in your egg whites, careful to not over mix. You are not trying to deflate your egg whites! Once they are combined, fold in your whipped cream. Chill for 4-12 hours or until desired consistency is reached. In my house, it's usually just about 4 hours, because we are ready for mousse STAT. Top with whipped cream and chocolate Shavings, and enjoy the shit out of it. You earned it. 
234
Have you made chocolate mousse, or another kind of mousse? I have been itching to make some white chocolate raspberry mousse, and maybe a chocolate orange. Stay tuned!

xo,
Beca

16 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh man, this looks so yummy! Do you have a french macaron recipe too? I've been dying to make them but they seem too difficult.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do, and as soon as we buy a new oven, I'll post a tutorial. :)

      Delete
  3. Yummy!!! I really wanna try your recipe sometimes(: To be honest, I think I used to hate chocolate mousse when I was younger (I think the lunch ladies were doing it wrong), but I've been craving it lately...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. if the texture is weird, I cant eat it. But I love homemade chocolate mousse. :)

      Delete
  4. DELICIOUS! I'm going to bookmark this for sure

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. let me know if you make it, Id love to hear how it turns out!

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. you know me and my "too southern for epic" baking style...go big or go home...

      Delete
  6. Mmm that looks good. I'm like you, I can only eat a spoonful or two of mousse. TOO sweet for me. The white chocolate raspberry sounds delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. doesnt it. i feel like i want something lighter for summer...and my cavities want something lighter too...

      Delete
  7. ahahahaha! when i read, "who doesn't love chocolate mousse" i though GROSS, i hate it! and then i realized i was the crazy people link you told me about! ha. your pictures look pretty, and i trust you're a fabulous mousse maker, but rest assured i will not be trying this recipe ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. So its just gone 8am Monday morning and now im craving chocolate mousse bad! it looks amazing. cant wait to try it out.

    Zoe
    http://gypsiesister.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  9. This looks delicioius! I'll definitely be trying this one out! X

    ReplyDelete