This recipe for Chocolate Raspberry Mousse is technically a mousse recipe, although not a classical one. However, it's no less delicious, and a LOT quicker and easier to make.
What is Mousse?
The word "Mousse" means "foam" in French. Which is a good description of this (usually, but not always) sweet dish. Mousse has a light and airy texture due to the incorporation of air.
Mousse consists first, of a base, which is usually the flavouring ingredient. This is typically pureed fruit or chocolate.
The second mousse component is an aerator, which can be whipped cream, egg whites, or whole eggs. This is what gives the mousse those air bubbles that make it, well, mousse!
The final component o a mousse dessert is a sweetener if required. This Raspberry Chocolate Mousse recipe has semi-sweet chocolate and, with the addition of raspberry syrup, along with the natural sweetness of fresh raspberries, no sugar is required.
Gelatin is often used with mousse as a thickener, like with this Strawberry Mousse Recipe, or this Coconut Mousse
Mousse desserts are almost always served chilled.
What's To Love About This Recipe
- Raspberries and Chocolate; how can you go wrong?
- The whole recipe takes less than fifteen minutes to make
- This dessert is simple, yet elegant, and sure to please.
- There's no added refined sugar.
Here's What You Need To Make This Dessert
This is such a simple dessert! You only need five ingredients. They are:
Chocolate
I used dark semi-sweet baker's chocolate is a perfect choice for this recipe. You can however, use any chocolate that will melt, including chocolate chips. Dark chocolate is perfect for this creamy dessert, but go ahead and use milk chocolate if you prefer.
Cream
Whipping cream which is typically 33% - 36% milk fat, is perfect for this recipe, because you will, of course be whipping the cream. Don't use any cream with less milk fat because you won't get the whipped results that are needed. You also use "heavy cream" which has 36% or higher milk fat.
Raspberries
This recipe uses fresh raspberries, but you can also use defrosted frozen raspberries. Although raspberries and chocolate have a special affinity, so do strawberries and chocolate! So use strawberries instead, if you prefer.
Sweetener
This chocolate mousse gets a subtle sweetness from the semi-sweet chocolate and the naturally sweet raspberries. So just a little extra in the form of raspberry syrup is a perfect touch. You can usually find raspberry syrup in a few different places at the grocery store: near the pancake syrups, near the ice cream toppings, or near the coffee flavouring syrups. But don't worry if don't have, or can't find raspberry syrup. Just use maple syrup instead.
How To Make This Recipe, Step By Step
Step 1: Melt the Chocolate
Melt the chocolate, using either a double boiler method or the microwave. Stir the raspberry syrup into the melted chocolate.
Step 2: Whip the Cream
Add vanilla to the whipping cream and beat, using an electric mixer, immersion blender, or stand mixer, until medium peaks form.
Step 3: Combine the Chocolate with the Whipped Cream
Add the melted chocolate mixture to the whipped cream & gently fold it in until completely combined.
Step 4: Add the Raspberries
Add the raspberries to the chocolate/cream mixture
Step 5: Gently Fold in the Raspberries
Fold the raspberries into the chocolate mousse until combined
Step 6: Transfer to Dessert Dishes, Garnish and Serve
How To Melt Chocolate
The two simplest ways to melt chocolate are the double boiler method and the microwave method. Here's how to do it each way:
Double Boiler Method
To melt chocolate using a double boiler method, bring a few inches of water in a saucepan to a simmer. Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl that just fits over the pot. (The bowl should not touch the simmering water). Heat, stirring, until the chocolate is shiny and melted.
Microwave Method
To melt chocolate in the microwave, put it into a heatproof bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time, until the chocolate is mostly melted with just a few lumps. Remove it from the microwave and stir until all of the chocolate is melted and lump free.
Tips For Perfect Mousse
- Use cold whipping cream. Keep it in the fridge right up to when you are going to use it.
- Chill the bowl and beaters that you'll be using to whip the cream by putting them in the freezer 15 minutes before you will be using them.
- Keep it dry. Be very careful not to allow any moisture to touch your chocolate. Even the tiniest drop of water will cause the chocolate to seize. Which means that the chocolate will be stiff, grainy, and clumpy. In other words, unusable for this recipe. This means that the bowl and the spatula that you are using need to be completely dry.
- Fold, don't stir. Use a large, flat spatula to gently scoop down, and then lift, the chocolate and whipped cream until they are incorporated.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you can use milk chocolate. It will give you a lighter, less intensely chocolate flavoured, but creamier tasting mousse. Use milk chocolate in equal proportions.
Yes, you can use any other berries. Strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries, or a combination will all work.
Yes, you can use frozen berries. Just be sure to defrost them first.
You know you have whipped your cream to medium peaks when you lift the beaters and the cream forms a peak that curls over at the tip.
When you first begin to beat the cream, it will become frothy, then start to thicken. When your beaters start to leave a trail, you are getting close to medium peaks. At this point, reduce your beating speed, and keep lifting the beaters to check.
Yes, you can make this raspberry chocolate mousse ahead of time. In fact, it will be even better, because chilling the mousse will help it to set more firmly. Make and refrigerate your mousse for up to 8 hours before serving.
Easy Raspberry Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients
- 4 oz semi sweet dark chocolate chopped
- ¼ cup raspberry syrup
- 1 cup 35% cream chilled
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups raspberries
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate over a double boiler or using the microwave (see instructions for either method in the blog post)
- Stir the raspberry syrup into the melted chocolate
- In a bowl, combine cream and vanilla, and using an electric mixer, whip until medium peaks form. (see blog post FAQ's for explanation) About 6-7 minutes.
- Add melted chocolate mixture to the whipped cream and using a spatula, gently fold to combine.
- Add 1 cup of the raspberries to the chocolate whipped cream mixture, folding gently to combine.
- Divide the mousse into four dessert dishes.
- Garnish each serving with the remaining raspberries and shaved chocolate if desired.
- Serve immediately or chill for up to 8 hours
Such a great recipe, simple and so incredible - our whole family loves it!
Hey Kristen, Thanks so much for letting me know that your family loved this yummy dessert!
I am so excited that I have all the ingredients to make this! I've been craving chocolate raspberry so badly!
Hi Terri, I know you'll love this raspberry chocolate combo. Enjoy!
The perfect treat for chocolate lovers! Our family loves this mousse! Thank you for this recipe 🙂
You're very welcome, Vijitha! I'm thrilled that your family loves it!
Mmmmmm!! Fabulous!! We love chocolate treats and this is no exception. I made this ahead of time and it tasted great for Valentine's Day.
I'm so happy that you loved this dessert, Sharon. It's a perfect make-ahead one!
these are so adorable!! i cant wait to make these with my DD
Thanks, Nancy! I know that you are your DD will love this dessert!
Such a perfect treat to share with loved ones. I loved the chocolate and raspberry combo, plus the texture is so light and airy!
Hi Bernice! You can never go wrong with a raspberry and chocolate combo! I'm so happy that you loved it!
This is a perfect combination. Raspberries and Chocolate. Look so simple to make and great for this time of year - Valentines!
Hi Amy, this really is a very simple dessert to make, but definitely delicious. And perfect for Valentine's.