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Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake

Irresistible Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake That Melts in Your Mouth

This Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake features rich layers of chocolate cake, airy mousse, and silky ganache for an indulgent dessert experience.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chilling Time 8 hours
Total Time 9 hours
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour Substitutable with gluten-free flour if needed
  • 0.5 cup Dutch Cocoa Powder Avoid using natural cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon Fine Espresso Powder Optional but highly recommended
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 pinch Fine Sea Salt
  • 1 cup Granulated White Sugar Measure carefully
  • 0.5 cup Neutral Oil Such as vegetable or canola
  • 1 cup Full-Fat Sour Cream Ensure it's at room temperature
For the Mousse
  • 1 whole Large Egg
  • 1 large Egg Yolk Silken tofu can be used for an eggless version
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream Essential for mousse and ganache
  • 8 ounces Dark Chocolate (60%-70%) Finely chop for smooth melting
For the Ganache
  • 0.5 cup Heavy Cream Heat until simmering
  • 6 ounces Dark Chocolate (60%-70%) Finely chop for smooth mixture

Equipment

  • 9-inch springform pan
  • Saucepan
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula

Method
 

Step 1: Prepare the Cake
  1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (180ºC) and grease a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
  1. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until well blended.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, oil, sour cream, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 4: Combine Dry & Wet Ingredients
  1. Sift the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and fold gently to combine. Slowly stir in the boiling water until blended.
Step 5: Bake
  1. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 24-28 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow cooling completely.
Step 6: Prepare Mousse
  1. In a saucepan, whisk together the cream, egg, egg yolk, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Heat gently until it reaches 170ºF (76ºC).
Step 7: Add Chocolate
  1. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped dark chocolate and vanilla extract until smooth. Let cool at room temperature.
Step 8: Whip Cream and Combine
  1. Whip cream until firm peaks form, then fold gently into the cooled chocolate mixture.
Step 9: Assemble Cake
  1. Reinsert the cooled cake into the springform pan and pour the mousse over it. Smooth the top and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
Step 10: Make Ganache
  1. Heat heavy cream until almost simmering, pour over chopped dark chocolate, and stir until smooth.
Step 11: Finish Cake
  1. Remove cake from the pan, pour ganache over the mousse layer, and chill briefly before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 5gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 2gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Precise measurements and sifting dry ingredients are key for best results. Keep the mixing gentle to maintain the mousse's airy texture.

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