Make this easy chocolate mousse recipe for the perfect light, yet decadent dessert.

With just 3 ingredients – chocolate chips, heavy cream, and espresso powder – this recipe is super simple.

Keep this dessert recipe on hand for the holidays, a potluck, family gathering, or just a simple meal at home.

easy chocolate mousse recipe garnished with a strawberry, served in a chocolate cup, on a white plate

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Chocolate Mousse Decadence

The recipes calls for 3 ingredients, but really only needs chocolate chips and cream – that’s it. The flavoring is the chef’s choice to add.
Super easy to make, this chocolate mousse recipe can be ready to serve in under an hour. Or prep it ahead of time, refrigerate, and serve when the guests arrive.
Chocolate mousse is so indulgent and can be served for any occasion from Christmas dinner to a birthday celebration.
Serve it in cute individual cups, edible chocolate cups, or pour it into a decorative bowl and have guests help themselves.
Add any topping you can be dream up. Fresh fruit, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, chopped nuts, candy sprinkles, or even a chocolate sauce drizzle, would all be delightful.

cream in a vessel, with chocolate chips and espresso powder in a clear bowl, to make easy chocolate mousse recipe

Ingredients For Whipped Indulgence

Chocolate Chips: Use any kind, from semi- sweet chocolate chips to dark chocolate chips, or even white chocolate chips.

Heavy Cream: A heavy cream over 30%, like whipping cream is best. It needs the higher fat content to whip up properly, and create that richness.

Espresso Powder: Keep a jar of espresso powder in the pantry for all kinds of recipes, including this one. It brings out the rich flavor of chocolate.

Tasty Twists to Try

Brew a very strong shot of espresso and add to the warm cream instead of the powdered espresso.
For other flavor ideas, omit the espresso and use vanilla, orange, or rum extracts.
Add a shot of Baileys, Kahlua, or Amaretto for a adult focused treat.

warm cream added to chocolate chips to make easy chocolate mousse recipe

melted chocolate mixture in a clear bowl to make easy chocolate mousse recipe

How Do You Make Chocolate Mousse

Heat 3/4 cup cream in the microwave, add to chocolate chips and espresso powder. Stir until smooth and cool.
Beat remaining cream until stiff peaks form, then fold gently into cooled chocolate mixture.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.

easy chocolate mousse recipe in a chocolate cup, garnished with a strawberry, with a spoon in it

Tips to Master Your Mousse

If after the cream is added to the chocolate chips, they are not quite melted, microwave at a 15 second interval and stir. Do not over heat.
Be sure chocolate mixture is completely cool before folding into the whipped cream. Refrigerate if needed, stirring at short intervals.
Place mixing bowl and beater in the freezer before whipping the cream. This will help the cream whip faster.
Do not over mix the chocolate and whipped cream. There may be some white streaks remaining, but that is ok. It will incorporate almost like magic.
If short on time, place mousse in the freezer instead of the refrigerator to firm up. Set a timer and stir at 5-10 minute intervals. It will be ready to pipe in 20-30 minutes.
Add chilled mousse to a piping bag with a large star tip. My go-to for this is the Wilton 1M tip. Pipe into desired serving vessels.
If piping is not your thing, skip the refrigeration step and simply pour mousse into small cups or even into a decorative bowl for a self serve dessert option. Refrigerate and garnish as desired.

Storing Chocolate Mousse Like a Pro

Make this dessert ahead of time to simplify any busy meal, especially during the holidays.

This chocolate mousse does need to be refrigerated, so it may take up valuable fridge space needed for other menu essentials. But fear not! Yes you can freeze chocolate mousse, and it tastes just as delicious! Allow to thaw in the refrigerator before serving and top with garnish at that time.

I do not cover my mousse – especially if being served the following day. If it’s in a serving bowl, and being transported, cover loosely with foil.

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I hope you love this easy chocolate mousse recipe as much as my family does. Please leave a comment and rating below.

5 from 2 votes

Easy Chocolate Mousse Recipe

Donnalea

Servings servings

Prep 15

Refrigerate 1

Total 1 15

Print Pin

This simple and easy chocolate mousse dessert is smooth, luscious and so decadent.

Equipment

stand mixer
piping bag
piping tip Wilton 1M

Ingredients

1 ½ cup chocolate chips
1 ¾ cups heavy cream divided
1 teaspoon espresso powder

Instructions

Add chocolate chips and espresso powder to a bowl.
Heat ¾ cup cream in the microwave for 1 minute.
Pour cream over chocolate chips and espresso. Stir to melt. You may need to pop into the microwave for another 15 seconds to melt completely. Set aside and cool.
Whip 1 cup remaining cream at high speed until stiff peaks form.
Once whipped, fold cream into cooled chocolate mixture gently, and until just incorporated. There may be some white whipped cream streaks left, but that is ok. Allow to firm up in the refrigerate for 1 hour.
Add mousse to piping bag and pipe into desired serving containers or chocolate dessert cups. Refrigerate for another hour.
Garnish with desired toppings.

Notes

Cool chocolate mixture before folding into whipped cream.
Place mixing bowl and beater in the freezer before whipping the cream.
Do not over work the chocolate and whipped cream.
If short on time, place mousse in the freezer instead of the refrigerator to firm up. Set a timer and stir at 5-10 minute intervals. It will be ready to pipe in 20-30 minutes.
If desired, skip the “rest period” and simply pour mousse into small cups, or even into a decorative bowl, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 386kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 1gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 21gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 37mgPotassium: 58mgSugar: 17gVitamin A: 1020IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1mg

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