Silky Chocolate Mousse

This silky chocolate mousse is rich, airy, and melt-in-your-mouth smooth with deep chocolate flavor in every spoonful.

Ingredients

• 6 oz (170 g) semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 large eggs, separated
• 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp fine salt
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) heavy cream, cold
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder, for garnish
• Chocolate shavings, for garnish

Instructions

1. Melt the chopped chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl over barely simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with half the sugar, vanilla, and salt until slightly thickened. Stir the yolk mixture into the melted chocolate until glossy and fully combined.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream to soft peaks. In another clean bowl, whip the egg whites with the remaining sugar until medium peaks form.
4. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture in two additions until mostly combined. Gently fold in the whipped egg whites until no streaks remain and the mousse looks light and airy.
5. Spoon the mousse into serving glasses or ramekins and chill for at least 2 hours, until set and creamy.
6. Dust with cocoa powder and top with chocolate shavings before serving.

Tip: For the smoothest texture, make sure the melted chocolate has cooled slightly before mixing in the yolks so it stays glossy and lump-free.