Chocolate Cherry Mousse Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you stiffen chocolate mousse? ›

You will need to add a thickening agent such as cornstarch or additional egg yolks, but be aware that it is very difficult to add just the right amount to thicken the mousse so it doesn't turn into a chocolate pudding. Don't overdo it when it comes to thickening.

Temperature is one of the most important factors to consider when making chocolate mousse. If your chocolate becomes grainy when you add the whipped egg whites or cream, it has cooled too much and hardened into small grains.

Traditionally, pudding gets its thick consistency from being cooked (which activates the cornstarch), while mousse is not cooked. Texture: Because these two creamy desserts use different methods of thickening, the texture also varies. Pudding is semisolid and more dense, while mousse has a lighter, airier texture.

If you over-whip the cream, you'll end up with a grainy mousse (although you can try to remedy it by whisking in a few extra tablespoons of cream). An electric hand mixer and a nice big bowl are my tools of choice, but a big balloon whisk and a chilled mixing bowl work well, too.

The thickener:

Traditionally, mousse is made with gelatin. The gelatin should be bloomed in cool water or 5 minutes, then melted before adding to the base.

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.

Gelatin: This classic option works effectively. Simply sprinkle some powdered gelatin (around 1/2 teaspoon for every 2 cups of mousse) onto the surface of the runny mousse. Let it sit for a few minutes to bloom, then gently fold it into the mixture. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set.

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.

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.

Bavarian creams differ from mousses in that they are usually made by thickening a custard sauce with gelatin, then folding in whipped cream (not whipped egg whites). Mousses can be served “standalone” in a dessert cup or used as filling for cakes and Charlottes.

What is black pudding mousse? ›

Mousse of black pudding. The black pudding, skinless of course, is mixed with grated speculoos, soaked gelatine leaves dissolved in veal stock and a few spoonfuls of whipped cream.

The chocolate you used was too fluid

Three-drop chocolate has exactly the right cocoa butter content to produce the perfect end results. Chocolate with more cocoa butter in it will render the chocolate mousse heavy and thick.

To fix a soupy pot de crème or chocolate mousse, you can try the following: Chill the mixture: Put the mixture in the refrigerator and let it cool completely. As it chills, the mixture will thicken. Add more chocolate: Melt additional chocolate and fold it into the mixture to make it thicker.

Cornstarch. Consider cornstarch the "nuclear option" for thickening mousse. Cornstarch, when used indiscriminately, can turn a souffle into pudding instantly. If thickening chocolate, add the cornstarch slurry to the melted chocolate.

Fold over excess plastic wrap to cover. Freeze for at least 3 hours or overnight, if time permits, until firm. Using the plastic wrap, gently ease mousse from ramekins. Turn out onto chilled serving plates.

Add gelatin and stir until smooth.

I've tried adding this at different stages in the heating process, and I've found that adding it to already warm cream right before the chocolate chips yields the most stable (yet still silky and creamy) mousse.