PrintCook the Book: Simple Chocolate Mousse
This entire week, in honor of Valentine's Day, we put together a shelf of our favorite books on chocolate, with one Cook the Book recipe a day adapted from each volume. To end the week, and to complete our "Chocolate Lover's Library," we're adding Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé
The recipe we've adapted here is for simple chocolate mousse, made super-light by the addition of whipped egg whites and by using milk instead of the more common heavy cream. Hermé sees this mousse as a base recipe to which all kinds of flavors and textures can be added, from caramelized Rice Krispies to cardamom.
Win the Serious Eats Chocolate Library
We're giving away five (5) sets of the Chocolate Lover's Library—one each day this week. So you can win a copy of Dorie's Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé, along with the four other other fantastic chocolate books we rolled out this week. Just answer the following question in the comments:
What is your favorite chocolate dessert?
One (1) winner will be chosen at random from among the comments of this post. Comments will be open until 3 p.m. ET February 16. You may win only once during the lifetime of the contest as a whole. The standard Serious Eats contest rules apply.
Simple Chocolate Mousse
- makes 6 servings -
Adapted from Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Herme, written by Dorie Greenspan
Ingredients
6 ounces (170 grams) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1/3 cup (80 grams) whole milk
1 large egg yolk
4 large egg whites
2 tablespoons sugar
Procedure
1. Melt the chocolate in a bowl over—not touching—simmering water or in the microwave oven. If necessary, transfer the chocolate to a bowl that is large enough to hold all of the ingredients. Keep the chocolate on the counter until needed. The chocolate should still feel warm to the touch when you’re ready to use it.
2. Bring the milk to the boil, then pour it over the chocolate. Using a small whisk, gently blend the milk into the chocolate. Add the egg yolk and whisk it into the chocolate, again working gently; stop when the yolk is incorporated.
3. In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on medium speed just until they hold soft peaks. Increase the speed to medium-high and gradually add the sugar. Continue to beat the whites until they are firm but still glossy. Scoop one-third of the whites out of the bowl onto the chocolate mixture. Working with a whisk, beat the whites into the chocolate to lighten the mixture. Now, with either the whisk or a large flexible rubber spatula, delicately but thoroughly fold the rest of the beaten whites into the chocolate.
4. Turn the mousse into a large serving bowl—glass is very nice for this dessert—or into individual coupes or cups, and refrigerate for 1 hour to set.
Keeping: Although the texture of the mousse will be lighter if you serve it shortly after chilling it, it can be covered and kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days – after which time it will be just as delicious, if a little denser.
Comments are closed: 288 Comments:
Chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven. Mmm! Heaven!
missm at 1:14PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce!
fast_wheels at 1:14PM on 02/15/08
Red velvet cake. I make it for all the birthdays in our house. Unfortunately, all the birthdays are in July, August, & September. The rest of the year we just dream about it. Maybe we should have more babies.
HeatherJean22 at 1:18PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate souffle, mmm...
alsafi at 1:28PM on 02/15/08
olive oil brownies
hedgehog at 1:36PM on 02/15/08
chocolate bread pudding
zekks at 1:38PM on 02/15/08
chocolate ice cream
salty at 1:40PM on 02/15/08
OH my double chocolate walnut biscotti...no one can resist them.
Jane M at 1:43PM on 02/15/08
chocolate pudding
rffoodie at 1:43PM on 02/15/08
i'm starting to lean toward chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips. DIVINE
pupilindenial at 1:45PM on 02/15/08
I just made the easiest molten chocolate cake the other night and it was heavenly.
threedogkitchen at 1:47PM on 02/15/08
i would give up most cakes and brownies just for nibble of a dark chocolate-covered salted caramel. mm.
darjeeling_tea at 1:48PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate bomb! Even thinking about it right now makes my mouth water.
Zedabeth at 1:52PM on 02/15/08
boca negra (seriously chocolaty cake)
ekuhns at 1:53PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate cake with thick rich chocolate frosting.
karen r at 1:54PM on 02/15/08
flourless chocolate cake
eliemalone at 1:55PM on 02/15/08
Drinking chocolate (melted dark and a little whole milk), with cinnamon and chili powder added.
The Marie Belle "Spicy Aztec" is close, but home-made is so easy. Perfect thing for a rainy Seattle day.
ejbojar at 1:56PM on 02/15/08
Right now-- chocolate polenta cake!
Christina at 2:00PM on 02/15/08
Salame di Cioccolato with dark chocolate sorbet.
Natalie at 2:04PM on 02/15/08
Cake. Chocolaty chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate.
Freddie at 2:05PM on 02/15/08
green and black's dark chocolate ice cream!
skim at 2:05PM on 02/15/08
Warm brownies with chips and nuts and ice cream. Nummy.
Stufsocker at 2:07PM on 02/15/08
Mocha ice cream with Swiss chocolate topping!
catalu at 2:08PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate cake.
mnsteph at 2:09PM on 02/15/08
Today I'd love a rich Devil's Food Cake with buttercream frosting. Mmmm!
etyper333 at 2:11PM on 02/15/08
chocolate cake
mverno at 2:12PM on 02/15/08
bread pudding with white chocolate sauce
feep at 2:14PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate cake.
denyse at 2:15PM on 02/15/08
chocolate mousse
sillelin at 2:16PM on 02/15/08
chocolate mousse, any day!
ngaloppo at 2:17PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate cake with thick rich chocolate frosting.
karen r at 2:18PM on 02/15/08
again - chocolate guiness cake!!
bitchincamero at 2:19PM on 02/15/08
Deep Chocoloate cake
gypsy58 at 2:20PM on 02/15/08
german chocolate cake
mr guy at 2:20PM on 02/15/08
If I can't have dark chocolate mousse, then a square of super-dark (85% or above) does the trick!
sugarandspice at 2:21PM on 02/15/08
chocolate brownie a la mode
LiveToEat at 2:22PM on 02/15/08
and make it lob carb and it is great as well....
ajshon at 2:22PM on 02/15/08
chocolate brownies with gooey chocolate frosting mmmmm
jbramley at 2:22PM on 02/15/08
opps... everything chocolate.... and make them low carb..... as well...
ajshon at 2:24PM on 02/15/08
chocolate sour cream bundt cake
EAGarner78 at 2:24PM on 02/15/08
Either my chocolate cheesecake, or my Tunnel of Fudge cake.
dbaxgirl51 at 2:25PM on 02/15/08
Torta caprese.
jsalern at 2:26PM on 02/15/08
My favorite is Gateaux Diane.... Meringue & chocolate sponge, layered with a cocoa & rum (or amaretto) infused fresh cream. Coated in a rich cocoa fresh cream and dark chocolate shavings!
I wonder if mousse could somehow be added to the recipe... hehehe!
sylvanfae at 2:26PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate anything with raspberry anything.
HMcChezz at 2:27PM on 02/15/08
The chocolate terrine from James Peterson's Glorious French Food. It's like a cross between a flourless chocolate cake and the inside of a dark chocolate truffle...
Charcuterista at 2:28PM on 02/15/08
mini dark chocolate cupcakes dipped in a smooth velvety white chocolate and topped with colorful sprinkles.
aestheticonion at 2:28PM on 02/15/08
Brownies. Ooey gooey warm brownies. Preferably with some sort of caramel or marshmallow or nut topping. :-)
tkln at 2:29PM on 02/15/08
molten chocolate cake or the chocolate pudding from Queen Mary's Tea Room in Seattle
Kimberly at 2:30PM on 02/15/08
Oh wow, since you're featuring this book, I'll have to say it's Pierre Herme's Earl Grey macarons with a rich chocolate ganache filling!
dreamsicle at 2:30PM on 02/15/08
Favorite is brownies. YUM YUM!!! But I am a "CHOCOHOLIC!!! ;-)
ccarolyn at 2:30PM on 02/15/08
chocolate cake or chocolate truffles
Gayngry at 2:32PM on 02/15/08
chocolate pudding with whipped cream
tsegada at 2:34PM on 02/15/08
this recipe for chocolate mousse looks great - i'll make chocolate mousse my favorite chocolate recipe of the day!
woodenspoon at 2:37PM on 02/15/08
chocolate cake with raspberry sauce... yum.
or chocolate espresso cake... yum!
chlamers at 2:38PM on 02/15/08
Flourless chocolate cake.
joanne117 at 2:39PM on 02/15/08
Thin, bittersweet chocolate cookies.
Orono1 at 2:39PM on 02/15/08
Dark chocolate fudgy brownies
thriftycook at 2:43PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate cheesecake cupcakes!
Sarajahii at 2:49PM on 02/15/08
It changes a lot. At this second, it would be dark chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting. I think I listed something similar for my favorite cupcake ... I'm so predictable!
OneWallKitchen at 2:49PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate Mousse
thotfulspot at 2:50PM on 02/15/08
"Death by Chocolate"
What a way to go!
saxel at 2:52PM on 02/15/08
I love chocolate fudge and chocolate covered marshmellows.
peg42 at 2:56PM on 02/15/08
Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. (I brought them with me when I first met the people who are now my in-laws. I think it had a lot to do with why they like me.)
buffyholic at 3:03PM on 02/15/08
chocolate cake with chocolate frosting
jbeckett at 3:04PM on 02/15/08
Flourless Chocolate cake with a not terribly sweet whipped cream
Mich23 at 3:07PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate pudding with chocolate chips and chocolate whipped cream. Yummy!
susie at 3:07PM on 02/15/08
The Moosewood Collective's Six Minute Chocolate Cake
aburke at 3:07PM on 02/15/08
My favorite chocolate dessert is a chocolate pudding cake I make. It is so delicious. The cake is so moist and the pudding is more like melted chocolate. Mmm, I think I go in the kitchen. See you later.
blkbrn1952 at 3:08PM on 02/15/08
Flourless chocolate cake, for sure.
Mandevu at 3:11PM on 02/15/08
It has to be German Chocolate Cake. Yes. thanks.
toyota at 3:17PM on 02/15/08
chocolate dipped strawberries
naynays1 at 3:18PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate mousse cake with chocolate frosting. And shaved chocolate bits on top.
abstract_duck at 3:22PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate chip cookies.
herrinfamily at 3:26PM on 02/15/08
It's a draw between my mom's chocolate chocolate chip cake and David Leibovitz's chocolate-covered caramel matzoh crunch. So different and so delicious! I'd go for both right now. :)
merav13 at 3:35PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate lava cupcakes :)
idorunyc357 at 3:37PM on 02/15/08
My Mom's Mississippi Mudd Cake...it's the best!
utahups at 3:37PM on 02/15/08
Can you count chocolate frosting straight from the can as a dessert? Ymmmmm
cornbella at 3:38PM on 02/15/08
Choc. mousse
louiseb130 at 3:38PM on 02/15/08
Decadent Chocolate Brownies w/ walnuts!
mommyof3inva at 3:44PM on 02/15/08
I've oribabkt gaubed 5 pounds this week just reading the wonderful recipes.. Today my favorite desert is chocolate chunk ice cream with marshmallow cream topping.
CarolHarrity at 3:46PM on 02/15/08
Oreos and cold milk for dunking.
ilikecitylights at 3:46PM on 02/15/08
chocolate souffle.......
starsmom at 3:48PM on 02/15/08
banana nut my fav
lyndascrafty at 3:50PM on 02/15/08
chocolate cheesecake, or chocolate souffle
ScienceandtheCity at 3:53PM on 02/15/08
I love chocolate molten cake!
mulltc at 3:55PM on 02/15/08
CHOCOLATE MOUSSE IS MY FAVORITE
ZIGGY08 at 3:57PM on 02/15/08
my own homemade chocolate chip cookies
PerkyMac at 4:00PM on 02/15/08
browniesss
krispychikin at 4:03PM on 02/15/08
Brownies
kktwins at 4:12PM on 02/15/08
Brownie Scones
dailybrownie at 4:21PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate cheesecake!
laur_uic at 4:21PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate Cream Pie
murph675 at 4:31PM on 02/15/08
Fudge Brownies!
ooodaisymaeooo at 4:37PM on 02/15/08
brownies
rosidentevil at 4:38PM on 02/15/08
Homemade chocolate cream pie
kkeela at 4:43PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate Decadence at DeBrand Fine Chocolates
JEP at 4:54PM on 02/15/08
Haagen dazs Mayan Chocolate ice cream. Cinnamony chocolatey goodness!
osupokesgirl72 at 5:12PM on 02/15/08
Brownie Scones
fancyfeet48 at 5:14PM on 02/15/08
I love German Chocolate Brownies.
ksh123 at 5:14PM on 02/15/08
milk chocolate
banquetbabe at 5:17PM on 02/15/08
Black Forest Cake
Deeh69 at 5:22PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate Mousse
greenwolf at 5:26PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate Pudding with Chocolate Chips
saturdaynightfever at 5:28PM on 02/15/08
Triple layer chocolate cake with thick ganache frosting!
Kimberly222 at 5:30PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate cake! (Preferably with mocha frosting.)
Netsearcher at 5:47PM on 02/15/08
Triple chocolate cookies. Delicious.
iheartnitz at 5:49PM on 02/15/08
German Chocolate Cake
poyntermichele at 5:58PM on 02/15/08
dark chocolate candy
sloney at 5:59PM on 02/15/08
dark chocolate truffles....delicious!!
ebarss1 at 6:01PM on 02/15/08
chocolate pudding
tracker at 6:02PM on 02/15/08
I used to work in a grocery store bakery and they sold a cake called Death By Chocolate--it's the best!
Thank you for the contest!
AmberRose95 at 6:03PM on 02/15/08
Brownies
theamira at 6:06PM on 02/15/08
Golden cake with rich fudgy chocolate icing.
Tobster1 at 6:09PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate cheesecake!
yellowlabs at 6:13PM on 02/15/08
flourless chocolate cake!
amwhiteh at 6:22PM on 02/15/08
I LIKE TO PUT THAT CHOCOLATE SHELL ON MY ICE CREAM
joni514 at 6:26PM on 02/15/08
brownies.
javal at 6:37PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate mousse, actually, though I use Julia Child's recipe.
justjoan at 6:43PM on 02/15/08
self saucing chocolate puddinggg
missmicker at 6:43PM on 02/15/08
Brownies
schnitzel at 6:55PM on 02/15/08
I've always been partial to "Death by Chocolate" buy I am open for auditions.
redfantum at 6:59PM on 02/15/08
Turtle brownies
LINDALSHOT at 7:04PM on 02/15/08
chocolate mousse from cook's illustrated
dimsumfan at 7:10PM on 02/15/08
I used to make a chocolate Guinness cake that was mighty tasty!
vw57dlx at 7:15PM on 02/15/08
chocolate lava cakes
JennVozik at 7:21PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate cheesecake.
kmg365 at 7:29PM on 02/15/08
chocolate truffles
pammmywoo at 7:34PM on 02/15/08
ice cream!!!
anniehall4000 at 7:35PM on 02/15/08
Molten lava cake!
nesta67 at 7:36PM on 02/15/08
rocky road ice cream
redron at 7:40PM on 02/15/08
chocolate cake
susan1215 at 7:40PM on 02/15/08
chocolate peanut butter silk pie with chocolate covered pretzel peices mixed in and on top
rw1647 at 7:41PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate creme brulee! Yes!
Aisling at 7:41PM on 02/15/08
German chocolate cake is my favorite.
susanchester at 7:41PM on 02/15/08
I
aprille at 7:47PM on 02/15/08
ganache coverered chocolate cake
LindaY at 8:03PM on 02/15/08
chocolate lava cake
this1 at 8:03PM on 02/15/08
chocolate espresso cookie
sillylil at 8:06PM on 02/15/08
The toffee that I make by the vat during the holidays!
pickleberries at 8:11PM on 02/15/08
Brownies
forkmtn at 8:18PM on 02/15/08
chocolate mousse made without eggs
DaveRud at 8:23PM on 02/15/08
Tunnel of Fudge Cake
inkypleez at 8:30PM on 02/15/08
molten lava cake with dark chocolate icecream
hungrykat at 8:30PM on 02/15/08
Bailey's choclate cheesecake
idahomom at 8:34PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate brownies.
slb3334 at 8:42PM on 02/15/08
blackout cake sundae at serendipity.
blondiebrownie at 8:43PM on 02/15/08
A chocolate cake recipe that my mom clipped from a magazine a long time ago.
ikkinlala at 8:49PM on 02/15/08
A flourless chocolate and pine nut cake
jessie at 8:53PM on 02/15/08
My mom's chocolate chocolate-chip sour cream cake!
AaronBSam at 9:00PM on 02/15/08
Molten chocolate cake
thecookiemonkey at 9:03PM on 02/15/08
I love lots of chocolate deserts, but cannot eat much or I will turn 'green.' :-(
My favorite is my "Lord Have Mercy Cake." Hands down, it is the best cake, as attested by anyone who has ever eaten it...all they can say is "Lord have mercy...Pass the cold milk."
TamaraDLMerritt at 9:06PM on 02/15/08
chocolate chip cookies, please
madball911 at 9:09PM on 02/15/08
chocolate pudding pie with whip cream
neneelynn at 9:11PM on 02/15/08
flourless chocolate torte
ky2here at 9:17PM on 02/15/08
chocolate mousse.......... I think I've died and gone to heavan
pcbdolphins at 9:24PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting with chocolate ice cream on the side.
bhjustice at 9:26PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate cheesecake is my favorite!
guysrose at 9:29PM on 02/15/08
chocolate mousse!
gamblerx17 at 9:32PM on 02/15/08
ice cream cake, ooooo
samanthapayntr at 9:37PM on 02/15/08
A good old fashioned chocolate milkshake
bobcatsteph3 at 9:41PM on 02/15/08
Dark chocolate dipped strawberries & also Coldstone's Dark chocolate ice cream with almonds and coconut in a waffle bowl--- Both are awesome and couldn't choose just one
jojoanddash at 9:42PM on 02/15/08
chocolate spider cookies. they're chow mein noodles covered in melted butterscotch chips and chocolate. sooo good, and no bake!
torrig at 9:43PM on 02/15/08
I love German Chocolate Cookies
jo1brat at 9:53PM on 02/15/08
S'mores... fresh from the camp fire
KeeperoftheRainbow at 9:56PM on 02/15/08
My favorite thing is warm chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven. My 40th birthday is Sunday and those chocolate cookbooks would be a nice present!
ladynole35 at 9:59PM on 02/15/08
chocolate covered pretzels?
michellelikestoeat at 10:25PM on 02/15/08
I love almost all chocolate desserts, but have two particular favorites. One is strawberry brownies with strawberry cream cheese frosting (I like to think I invented this one) and the other is Chocolate Decadence ice cream by Blue Bell, not fancy, but really yummy.
chrissy75007 at 10:36PM on 02/15/08
rich chocolate ice cream- prefer homemade!
kylad at 10:39PM on 02/15/08
chocolate covered strawberries
suzystars9 at 10:40PM on 02/15/08
chocolate lava cake
momrec at 10:43PM on 02/15/08
lava cake....or gelato....or brownies....or just straight up cluizel.
jenberger at 10:51PM on 02/15/08
Chocolate cannoli
purplepassion126 at 10:54PM on 02/15/08
Frozen mocha cheesecake.
dlguss at 11:04PM on 02/15/08
brownies!
jedimtb at 11:08PM on 02/15/08
brownies!
jedimtb at 11:09PM on 02/15/08
chocolate mousse
haomom at 11:13PM on 02/15/08
Brownies
TXhopeful at 11:13PM on 02/15/08
C
H
O
C
O
L
A
T
E
M
O
U
S
S
E
!
gorzd at 11:18PM on 02/15/08
I love a Texas Sheet Cake! A chocoholics dream. The fudgelike frosting really sends me into a state of euphoria! I'm your gal for this giveaway for sure. Thanks for a wonderful giveaway.
bndraldy at 11:18PM on 02/15/08
9th floor brownies
lilyrose63 at 11:18PM on 02/15/08
chocolate chip cookies.
cybercita at 11:18PM on 02/15/08
yum yum yum...
dorie greenspan's world peace cookies.
is all the world needs to be happy.
jazzinx at 11:30PM on 02/15/08
pudding
llinda29 at 11:37PM on 02/15/08
Double fudge chocolate brownies
mac070106 at 11:41PM on 02/15/08
brownies of course
JOYVEN at 12:02AM on 02/16/08
Decanent Chocolate Cake
marlenec at 12:05AM on 02/16/08
Brownies
cpom01 at 12:15AM on 02/16/08
Dark chocolate raspberry truffles.
AsTheNight at 12:28AM on 02/16/08
Smores! melty, crunchy, chocolatey goodness!
Meggers at 12:29AM on 02/16/08
chocolate cream pie
steevee at 12:29AM on 02/16/08
chocolate madeleines
Marilyn at 12:29AM on 02/16/08
Brownies with walnuts and powdered sugar!
DePro at 12:30AM on 02/16/08
Chocolate ice cream
madeas at 12:42AM on 02/16/08
double fudge chocolate brownies
chromiumman at 12:55AM on 02/16/08
flourless chocolate cake with raspberry sauce and cream sauce
bingsy at 12:56AM on 02/16/08
My family loves homemade chocolate pudding
steadier571 at 12:57AM on 02/16/08
Chocolate ice cream.
dbcurrie at 12:59AM on 02/16/08
ice cream
deckit at 1:20AM on 02/16/08
Brownies. Double fudge, chocolate chip brownies. OMG.
funnyjello at 1:22AM on 02/16/08
Chocolate swiss roll cake!
Catalyst at 1:22AM on 02/16/08
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie!!!
christinaalmond at 1:28AM on 02/16/08
Black Forest Cake...homemade of course! ;)
ladyt64 at 1:39AM on 02/16/08
Double Chocolate Brownies with Vanilla Ice Cream
dianerph at 1:42AM on 02/16/08
Death By Chocolate Cake
morty63 at 1:43AM on 02/16/08
Homemade chocolate brownies from scratch
sdeas at 1:45AM on 02/16/08
Chocolate pudding cake.
probabyl at 2:08AM on 02/16/08
good old fashioned brownies
tanners12 at 2:11AM on 02/16/08
chocolate soufflé
winkyj at 2:14AM on 02/16/08
mmm Chocolate pudding...
humbleh at 2:51AM on 02/16/08
Flourless chocolate torte!
jkh020 at 3:17AM on 02/16/08
my aunt mayme's chocolate preacher's cake
jmahurin40 at 3:23AM on 02/16/08
chocolate chip cookies!
penguin28 at 4:04AM on 02/16/08
brownies!!
sw8t at 5:10AM on 02/16/08
A
N
Y
T
H
I
N
G
!
timberlea at 5:48AM on 02/16/08
I love Pepperidge Farm chocolate cake with crumbled oreos over the top doused with Mrs. Richardson's Hot Caramel topping and Hot Fudge topping. It's purely decadent!
blueviolet at 6:17AM on 02/16/08
chocolate mousse
sylmar at 6:48AM on 02/16/08
Chocolate Lava Cake is my favorite.
triceratops at 6:56AM on 02/16/08
chocolate mousse
lilyk at 7:06AM on 02/16/08
Brownies
Majorcat at 7:13AM on 02/16/08
Chocolate Amaretto Cheesecake
clc408 at 7:14AM on 02/16/08
Chocolate chip cookies