CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO MOUSSE

Want to know why this is the best tasting mousse ever, besides the chocolate, the bold coffee flavor, the smoothness, the light texture—but not so much that it dissipates before you get the richness of the chocolate? I’ll tell you—the best thing about this mousse is I actually finished it.

Yup, there’s a story here. Because that’s what happens when you try to separate eggs with a baby saddled to your hip— it’s a messy affair. So what that it took me 10 eggs to yield the needed 4. That’s what happens when the bowl gets pulled out from under you and onto the floor, or after starting over, the same curious 8-month-old hands decide to pull your hands to his mouth to taste what it is you’re doing.

Yeah, so what.

It only matters if you curse, and your 7-year-old happens to walk by and say, “Mom . . .cusser”. Whoops. It was a one-off. Promise. At least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO MOUSSE

YIELD: Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. chocolate (65% cacao), coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup milk, warmed
• 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules (I used one Starbucks Via)
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Directions:

Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, whisk and and stir occasionally until chocolate is melted and smooth, about 2-3 minutes. In a steady stream, add milk to chocolate, stirring to combine. Stir in cocoa powder and continue to whisk until well combined. Set aside.

Place yolks and 1/4 cup  sugar in an electric mixer bowl fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat on medium speed until thick and pale, about 2-3 minutes. Fold mixture into chocolate, then stir in the coffee and salt; set aside.

Place the 2 egg whites and a pinch of salt in a clean electric mixer bowl fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat whites on medium high speed until soft peaks form, about 1-2 minutes. In a steady stream, gradually add remaining sugar and beat on low until glossy, about 1-2 minutes. Fold into chocolate mixture, then divide it between six serving glasses and refrigerate until firm about 2-3 hours.

Remove chilled mousse from refrigerator and set aside to make whipped cream. Place whipping cream and sugar in a medium bowl and vigorously beat until soft peaks from. Transfer whipped cream to a pastry bag fitted with an open star tip and pipe onto mousse. *Optional: Garnish with a dusting of crushed almonds and finely grated chocolate

http://www.bakersroyale.com/chocolate-espresso-mousse/