Chocolate

Dorie Greenspan's Top Secret Chocolate Mousse (Mousse au Chocolat)

by:
June 19, 2017
3.7
6 Ratings
Dorie Greenspan's Top Secret Chocolate Mousse (Mousse au Chocolat)
Photo by Julia Gartland
  • Makes 4 servings
Author Notes

No funny business here: This chocolate mousse is simply melted chocolate that's thickened with egg yolks and lightened with whipped egg whites. Like your favorite chocolate bar is frolicking among the clouds.

If you're comfortable whipping egg whites and incorporating them gently, as to not deflate that hard-earned air, then the recipe will be a cinch. Perhaps that's because Dorie, when she implored her friend Martine for the ingredients and instructions, was handed a Nestlé chocolate bar: All of the information was on the back.

This recipe is from Around My French Table (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2010). —Sarah Jampel

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 3 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 3 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
  • Pinch salt
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar, divided
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream, chilled
Directions
  1. Melt the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl placed over a small pot of simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
  2. Remove bowl from water, add the egg yolks, and whisk until smooth.
  3. Using an electric beater, beat the egg whites and a pinch of salt until you have soft peaks. Gradually add 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, beating constantly, until whites are glossy with medium-firm peaks.
  4. Use a spatula to fold 1/4 of the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Then fold the remaining whites into the chocolate until just incorporated, being careful not to overmix or deflate the mixture.
  5. Divide mousse among 4 bowls. Cover and chill until set, about 4 hours (and up to 1 day in advance).
  6. When ready to serve, beat the cream with the remaining teaspoon of sugar until soft peaks form. Spoon over mousse, sprinkle with chocolate shavings, and eat.
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14 Reviews

brandonnyc
brandonnyc May 8, 2024
Unmitigated disaster. I'm a fairly experienced baker, but three attempts to get the chocolate and yolks right failed, even using some of the tips submitted by others.
 
SharynSowell
SharynSowell December 25, 2019
I made this for Christmas Eve and thought it might have flopped, though I was careful to follow directions precisely (except that I added 1 1/2 t. Water to the melted chocolate as insurance against it seizing). But I trust Dorie’s recipes and oh my! It was incredibly rich, smooth and densely chocolate. Rave reviews! And what a quick and easy recipe. This will by popular demand be one of our repeat favorites for special occasions. Thank you, Dorie, from one of your many fans. I’m celiac and find that I can even substitute my own combination of gluten free flours with confidence in most of your recipes. Thanks for another great one!
 
Aditi
Aditi December 10, 2017
I also faced problems with the egg yolks making the melted chocolate seize, so my mousse also came out dense and gritty. I then did some online research to troubleshoot - apparently ways to avoid this include 1. Melt the chocolate with a little espresso/oil/water/butter so that it “accepts” the yolks better; 2. Make sure the eggs are at room temperature; 3. Whip the egg yolks with a little sugar until they fall in thick ribbons. I tried again using all three, and my mousse was smooth, airy, and pourable before chilling.
 
vrinda
vrinda July 23, 2017
Thanks
but I don't think so because the eggs would have scrambled.
I managed to get it all folded in but what a job !!!!!!!!!!
I ended up putting it back on hot water to incorporate the first of the whites just to get it going...but 'gently' was far from it !
 
vrinda
vrinda July 23, 2017
Impossible to follow these directions !
Just tried to make this and wasted all the chocolate and eggs
1. once you add yolks to melted chocolate the mixture coagulates beyond belief
2. trying to fold in a little of the egg white mixture is quite difficult into this hardened chocolate.
Either Dorie didn't explain well enough how to 'manage' the cooled chocolate mixture or somethings wrong with her recipe
Very disappointed !!!!
 
Sarah J.
Sarah J. July 23, 2017
I'm so sorry this didn't work out for you, vrinda! I'm happy to troubleshoot if you like. I'm wondering if the chocolate was perhaps too hot?
 
Elizabeth D.
Elizabeth D. July 3, 2022
So sorry that happened. Two questions: Have you tried letting the melted chocolate cool slightly? and did you use egg yolks that were at room temperature?
That helps.
 
Doris L.
Doris L. July 17, 2017
Add this today and was not impressed. The addition of the eggs yolks to the melted chocolate made it harden. It was then difficult to incorporate the beaten whites "gently". Very rich and not as fluffy as other mousse recipes I've made. Not a keeper in my opinion
 
Marilou
Marilou June 26, 2017
I am also interested in understanding what to do with the 3/4 cup of cream?
 
Sarah J.
Sarah J. June 26, 2017
Ah, sorry about my misleading headnote!! The cream is just to whip for a garnish.
 
Marilou
Marilou June 26, 2017
Thank you! That's good news, more chocolate taste for the mousse :-)
 
Beaulaker
Beaulaker June 26, 2017
my blender recipe only calls for chocolate and egg, then whipped cream to serve
 
Jackie
Jackie June 26, 2017
Interesting that the intro to this recipe mentions melting chocolate with cream....the author even emphasizes "ganache", yet the actual steps do not call for any addition of cream to the mousse at all - only topping the final product with whipped cream. Was something missed?
 
Beaulaker
Beaulaker June 25, 2017
1961 The Blender Cookbook: Heat the blender by filling it with boiling water, pour it out, dump a bag of chocolate chips in, blend until melted, add egg yolks to chocolate, a tablespoon of rum for flavor, then fold into the beaten egg whites. Chill and serve with whipped cream and toasted slivered almonds.