Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake by @browneyedbaker :: www.browneyedbaker.com

I have been tempted by Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake for well over three years now. I’ve seen a variety of recipes in a number of different places and have bookmarked it and doggy-eared it countless times. One day last week, my Chief Culinary Consultant mentioned that it had been awhile since I had made a big ol’ fancy cake. A show-stopper, as it were. Challenge accepted. I sifted through my notes, spreadsheets and cookbooks to see what I might want to bake up, when a page from a long-gone Cook’s Illustrated magazine fell out of a binder. The Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake. It was destiny.

Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake by @browneyedbaker :: www.browneyedbaker.com

This triple layer cake is the trifecta of chocolate deliciousness. The bottom layer is a flourless chocolate cake… the middle layer is a light dark chocolate mousse… and the top layer is an even lighter white chocolate mousse. The combination of the three is rich, intensely flavorful and silky smooth. It’s a fabulous dessert to pair with coffee and enjoy slowly, lingering over each bite.

This cake is the holy grail for any chocolate lover. It takes a bit of time, but the assembly is relatively easy and absolutely, 100% worth it. You owe yourself this treat!

Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake by @browneyedbaker :: www.browneyedbaker.com

One year ago: Oatmeal-Raisin Ice Cream
Two years ago: How To Make a Rainbow Cake
Four years ago: Polenta Pizza

Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake

Layers of flourless chocolate cake, dark chocolate mousse and white chocolate mousse create an absolutely sinful dessert for chocolate lovers everywhere.
4.47 (95 ratings)

Ingredients

For the Bottom Layer

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces, plus extra for greasing pan, (3 ounces )
  • 7 ounces (198.45 g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • ¾ teaspoon (0.75 teaspoon) instant espresso powder
  • 1½ teaspoons (1.5 teaspoons) vanilla extract
  • 4 eggs, separated
  • Pinch salt
  • â…“ cup (73.33 g) light brown sugar

For the Middle Layer:

  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-processed
  • 5 tablespoons hot water
  • 7 ounces (198.45 g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1½ cups (357 ml) cold heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • â…› teaspoon (0.13 teaspoon) table salt

For the Top Layer

  • ¾ teaspoon (0.75 teaspoon) powdered gelatin
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 6 ounces (170.1 g) white chocolate chips, (1 cup )
  • 1½ cups (357 ml) cold heavy cream

Instructions 

  • Make the Bottom Layer: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan that is at least 3 inches high.
  • Melt the butter, chocolate and espresso powder in a large heatproof bowl set over a saucepan filled with 1 inch of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes. Whisk in the vanilla and egg yolks; set aside.
  • In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and salt at medium speed until frothy, about 30 seconds. Add half of the brown sugar and beat until combined, about 15 seconds. Add the remaining brown sugar and beat at high speed until soft peaks form when the whisk is lifted, about 1 minute longer, scraping down the sides halfway through. Whisk one-third of the beaten egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the remaining egg whites until no white streaks remain. Carefully transfer the batter to the prepared springform pan, gently smoothing the top with an offset spatula.
  • Bake until the cake has risen, is firm around the edges, and the center has just set but is still soft (the center of cake will spring back after pressing gently with your finger), 13 to 18 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour. (The cake will collapse as it cools.) Do not remove the cake from the pan.
  • Make the Middle Layer: Whisk together the cocoa powder and hot water in a small bowl and set aside. Melt the chocolate in a large heatproof bowl set over a saucepan filled with 1 inch of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the cream, granulated sugar and salt on medium speed until the mixture begins to thicken, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to high and whip until soft peaks form when the whisk is lifted, 15 to 60 seconds.
  • Whisk the cocoa powder mixture into the melted chocolate until smooth. Whisk one-third of the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture to lighten. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the remaining whipped cream until no white streaks remain. Spoon the mousse into the springform pan over the cooled cake and gently tap the pan on counter 3 times to remove any large air bubbles; smooth the top with an offset spatula. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes while preparing the top layer.
  • Make the Top Layer: In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the water; let stand for at least 5 minutes. Place the white chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring ½ cup of the heavy cream to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and add the gelatin mixture, whisking until fully dissolved. Pour the cream mixture over the white chocolate chips and whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is completely smooth. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally, 5 to 8 minutes (the mixture will thicken slightly).
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the remaining 1 cup heavy cream at medium speed until it begins to thicken, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to high and whip until soft peaks form when the whisk is lifted, 15 to 60 seconds. Whisk one-third of the whipped cream into the white chocolate mixture to lighten. Using a rubber spatula, fold the remaining whipped cream into the white chocolate mixture until no white streaks remain. Spoon the white chocolate mousse into the pan over the middle layer. Smooth the top with an offset spatula. Return the cake to the refrigerator and chill until set, at least 2½ hours.
  • The cake can be made up to 1 day in advance and refrigerated. Remove the cake from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 45 minutes before releasing it from the pan. Garnish the top of cake with chocolate curls or dust with cocoa, if desired. Run a thin knife between the cake and side of the springform pan, then remove the side of pan. Cut into slices and serve. (For clean slices, dip a sharp knife into hot water and wipe dry between cuts.)

Notes

Nutritional values are based on one serving
Calories: 575kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 46g, Saturated Fat: 27g, Cholesterol: 156mg, Sodium: 89mg, Potassium: 313mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 1150IU, Vitamin C: 0.4mg, Calcium: 103mg, Iron: 2.5mg

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