Last Updated on February 3, 2020 by Fiona Maclean
Basic Chocolate Mousse – Ultimate Decadence and Unbelievable Simplicity:
Easy recipes – those with one or two ingredients – are ultra hip at the moment. I’ve already written posts about one ingredient banana ice-cream, three ingredient pancakes and a whole range of simple soup recipes. And, while I haven’t yet posted them, I’ve been trying a few simple microwave mug cakes too. It’s worth remembering the classic simple recipes too though, especially this luxurious chocolate mousse which I’ve seen attributed to Elizabeth David, but which I think I first came across in my mother’s collection of Cordon Bleu cookery books.
This basic chocolate mousse recipe has a thousand and one variations, depending on how sweet-toothed you are and what kind of flavours you like to pair with chocolate. The main rule is that you need one medium to large egg and an ounce of chocolate (or 30g) per person. The only other thing to remember is that chocolate mousse made this way needs at least 30 minutes to set in the fridge. I personally like to add a little bit of unsalted butter, some kind of alcohol or strong coffee but no sugar. I think the butter just makes a slightly richer mousse. I’ve also made this without the egg yolk – the result is lighter and fluffier that way. If you don’t want to add alcohol, try a little mint or zest of orange
Now you can melt the chocolate in a microwave, it’s even easier than it was when I first made this in my teens!

- 2 Large Eggs
- 60 g Dark Chocolate
- 15 g Unsalted Butter
- 15 ml Whisky I used Balblair
- 10 g Caster Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Mascarpone or thick cream
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Separate the eggs
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Whisk the egg whites to soft peak. Don't overwhisk or you will get runny watery eggwhites!
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Melt the chocolate over a bain-marie or in 10-second bursts in the microwave. If you are using butter and/or sugar, add these before you start the melting process. Once the chocolate is completely liquid, stir in the alcohol or any other flavouring you choose (coffee or orange zest for example). Then, quickly stir in the egg yolks and beat well till smooth.
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Take one tablespoon of the whipped egg white and mix well into the chocolate to loosen it a bit.
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Carefully fold the chocolate mixture into the rest of the egg whites using a metal spoon or round-ended knife. Don't worry too much if the mixture becomes considerably denser, the volume will probably reduce to around two-thirds or half of the original whisked egg whites.
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Pour the mixture into ramekins or dessert bowls for serving and put in the fridge to set for 30 minutes. The chocolate mousse will be fine for up to 24 hours, though you may want to cover the dishes with cling film
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Serve with a dollop of cream, creme fraiche or mascarpone to taste and with a sprig of mint or two on top if you like.
Delicious.
Do remember this recipe is effectively using raw eggs and so you should be working with the freshest possible eggs you can get hold of. And, since there’s nothing more than egg and chocolate in the dish, the quality of the chocolate will make a real difference. You can keep this dairy-free by skipping the butter and using a dairy-free ice-cream or cream at the end, so it’s a good dessert if you are catering for those who need that option.
And, if you want to make your own, why not pin this post:)
What a lovely recipe. I shall definitely try this one and I am sure that the family will love it.
This is such a lovely recipe. Chocolate mousse always goes down well.
I love a chocolate mousse – and this one looks delicious. Definitely on my to try recipe list.
Chocolate mousse is my favourite, this sounds so delicious!
This mousse looks so delicious. I’m a sucker for anything chocolatey! I think this would go great with a freshly brewed cup of black coffee!
This looks yummy. Thanks for sharing the recipe x
This looks really simple to make; a friend keeps chickens and often gives me fresh eggs so when I get some lovely eggs from her (they’re not laying at the moment, she says once spring has sprung they will be laying again) I’m going to have a bash at this.
im a sucker for choc mousse! i have it everytime we go on holiday xD
This mousse sounds delicious, I must try it!
i love anything chocolate ,its fab how easy the recipe is and the idea of adding different ingredients is right up my street,i think im might try vodka first
Ive never made this but sounds really simple so might have to give this a try.
This look delicious, got to give it a try
Ooh this looks so yummy! Think I will definitely try this recipe for Valentine’s Day.
Recipe saved, this looks delicious!!!! 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Going to give this one a go.
Love chocolate mousse and so easy to make.
Sounds fantastic – I’m not the world’s greatest cook but even I could manage this one 😀
Great recipe – evweyone should have this in their repertoire
not had chocolate mousse for years, I now have to have some!
This is a nice easy recipe that I think even I could manage this Christmas to impress my guests!
Choccy Choc! #Yummy
OMG I’m in chocolate heaven reading this recipe
I love chocolate mousse and this is really easy to make and delicious too.
This looks so delicious, mine would never come out quite the same!!
Looks great not too time consuming!
That looks and sounds delightful. Thanks for sharing the recipe x
I love chocolate mouse, and it seems everyone makes theirs slightly differently. The shop brought stuff I find is disgusting once you’ve made your own.
Omg this would be my chocolate heaven
Didn’t think it would be that easy to make, must try this at some point x
Love chocolate mousse ,so this simple recipe will come in handy
Chocolate Mousse this has to be one of my favourites
Ooh a treat for the Adults This is one to make at a weekend Thank You
I love chocolate mousse.
Chocolate mousse is my all time fave dessert so finding this recipe is a godsend. It’s so easy. I can’t count how many times I’ve messed up before. This will change my next dinner party into a stress free occasion. Thankyou
That sounds like a fine idea to me!
Wow! Pinned this baby. Thank you.
How delicious to make thanks for recipe
My grandsons will love this X
For little ones, I’d probably make it with milk chocolate
This mousse sounds fab & maybe easy enough for me to try & make 🙂
Ticks all the boxes – enticing , inexpensive , and so so easy !
I have a chocolate mousse waiting for me in the fridge. I love them but have never thought of making one but I will now .
Looks delicious and one of my favourites is chocolate mousse. Will defo try this version as looks easy 🙂
is there anything better than a good chocolate mousse?! This looks delicious.
I really want to have a go at making this. I am not very good in the kitchen so this would be ideal.
Homemade mousse sounds amazing! It looks delicious and very easy to make! Thanks for sharing!
Dig this!! It sounds so easy and so luscious!
I promise you it is!
I love home made chocolate mousse – the bought stuff is horrid.
It’s such an easy recipe too, I have no idea why anyone wouldn’t make their own
I just love chocolate mousse. Thanks for sharing your version of making it!
I am on a mission to collect easy recipes like this one for my supper parties.
Have you tried it yet Bintu?
Wow this mousse looks simple and easy to make and must have tasted heavenly.
it was my mother’s go-to dessert – it’s ultra simple and really is just chocolate and egg.
You cannot beat a simple unadulterated chocolate mousse recipe and this one is even better with that dram of Scotch!
I’d honestly forgotten how easy they were to make. And, for that matter how suitable for a small household – best way ever to use up an egg!
It is a thing of great beauty a chocolate mousse, simple ingredients that come together in a rich luscious dessert – can;t be beaten!
It is indeed. I’d have liked some raspberries to go with it too. Next time maybe
Sounds even better than thechocolatemoosemt.com. The whiskey shot is a nice touch. Where you the one spiking the punch at the high school parties?
It’s taken you a while to work that one out Kevin!
Always lovely. I quite like it made with chilli chocolate and add in some pistachios as well as a good slug of booze!
ohh I’ve never tried adding in nuts, but I can imagine it would be good that way!
Chocolate mousse is so yummy, I can’t believe how simple it is to make it! Will deffo be having a go at making it (:
L x
it really is easy to make! let me know how you get one