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Chocolate Mousse Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 64 reviews

This decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake combines a moist, rich chocolate cake base with a creamy, fluffy chocolate mousse topping. Perfect for special occasions or a luxurious dessert treat, this cake balances deep cocoa flavors with light whipped cream mousse, all made from scratch.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Cake

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot water (not boiling)

Chocolate Mousse

  • 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
  • 8 ounces semisweet baking chocolate, chopped
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking, and set it aside.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt. Ensure the mixture is evenly combined to distribute leavening agents properly.
  3. Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and vegetable oil until smooth. Then add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition to incorporate fully.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
  5. Add hot water and vanilla: Pour in the hot water and vanilla extract, then whisk gently until the batter is smooth and well combined. The batter will be thin; this is normal and ensures a moist cake.
  6. Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes. To check doneness, insert a wooden toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, the cake is done.
  7. Cool the cake: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature before adding the mousse topping.
  8. Prepare chocolate mousse base: In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the mini marshmallows, chopped semisweet baking chocolate, and milk. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly until the marshmallows and chocolate are completely melted and the mixture is smooth and well blended.
  9. Cool chocolate mixture: Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the chocolate mixture to cool completely to prevent deflating the whipped cream in the next step.
  10. Whip cream: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cold heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. This means the cream holds shape softly without being stiff or grainy.
  11. Fold cream into chocolate mixture: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled chocolate mixture using a spatula. Take care to keep the mixture light and airy, incorporating the ingredients until evenly blended.
  12. Assemble and chill: Spread the chocolate mousse evenly over the cooled cake. Place the cake in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes to set before serving.
  13. Store leftovers: Refrigerate any leftover cake covered tightly to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.

Notes

  • Ensure the hot water added to the cake batter is not boiling to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
  • Be gentle when folding the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture to maintain the mousse’s light texture.
  • Use semisweet baking chocolate for a balanced chocolate flavor; bittersweet can be substituted for a richer taste.
  • For best results, chill the cake for a few hours or overnight to enhance mousse firmness and flavor melding.
  • This cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Chocolate Mousse Cake, chocolate cake, mousse topping, dessert, homemade chocolate cake, whipped cream mousse, layered cake

Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/chocolate-mousse-cake-recipe/