How to Make Vegetarian Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate mousse is a classic and much-loved dessert that, unfortunately, cannot be enjoyed by many vegetarians and others who do not eat eggs or items containing gelatin. This delicious recipe for an egg-free, gelatin-free chocolate mousse is perfect for vegetarians who eat dairy products, as well as for people who have egg allergies. This easy-to-prepare recipe takes about 45 minutes to make and serve.

Things You'll Need

• Double boiler or heat safe bowl and saucepan
• Wire whisk and mixing bowl or food processor
• Rubber spatula
• Wine glasses or small dessert bowls
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 4 tbsp. espresso or hot water mixed with two heaping teaspoons of instant coffee
• 18 oz. heavy whipping cream
• 3 1/2 tbsp. sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. cornstarch
• Optional: 1 cup fresh cherries, halved and pitted

Instructions

1. Prepare the chocolate mixture in a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl set in a pan of simmering water. Combine 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 4 tbsp. espresso and stir until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool.

2. Combine 1 1/3 cup whipping cream, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1 tsp. cornstarch and whip in a bowl with a wire whisk or whip in a food processor. As the cream thickens, mix in 1 3/4 tbsp. sugar by sprinkling it on the cream and whipping it in. Keep whipping until peaks form when you lift the whisk out of the mixture, but make sure the mixture does not become too stiff and butterlike.

3. Combine the whipped cream and chocolate by slowly folding the whipped cream into the chocolate. Do not mix, but fold with a rubber spatula by scooping from the bottom and turning spatula blade over.

   When the cream and chocolate are fully blended, scoop the mousse into wine glasses or serving bowls and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

4. Prepare the whipped cream topping by combining 1 cup heavy whipping cream, 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, 1 3/4 tbsp. sugar and whip in the manner described in Step 2.

5. Remove the mousse from the refrigerator after it has chilled. Serve the mousse with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

Tips & Warnings

• Optional: Wash about 1 cup fresh cherries, halve them and remove the pits. Place about six cherry halves on top of each serving---enough to loosely cover the top of the mousse before you add the whipped cream topping.

• Prepared mousse can remain in the refrigerator for several days without losing consistency.

• It's best to make fresh whipped cream when you are ready to serve the mousse rather than store it with the mousse.

References

• Choose Veg: Vegan Dessert Recipes
• All Recipes: Egg-Free Desserts