Black Velvet Chocolate Mousse Recipes

Steps:

• For the caramel crunch: Spray a rimmed baking sheet with canola cooking spray and set aside.
• Pour the granulated sugar into a clean, dry medium saucepan and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring every so often with a wooden spoon, until the sugar melts and turns a dark amber color (it will register at least 320 degrees F on a candy thermometer). Immediately pour the caramelized sugar onto the prepared baking sheet. Let it cool completely, about 30 minutes; it should become brittle. Once brittle, break it into large pieces, put them in a plastic bag and bash the bag until finer shards form.
• For the mousse: Combine the chocolate, salt and vanilla in a medium bowl.
• Bring 2 cups of the heavy cream just to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour the hot cream into the bowl with the chocolate and stir until the mixture is smooth and glossy, about 2 minutes. Cool completely.
• Beat the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer at the highest speed until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. Sprinkle in the confectioners' sugar 1 tablespoon at a time and whisk at the highest speed until shiny, firm peaks form, about 2 minutes more. The mixture should be airy and glossy.
• Gently fold about 1/4 of the egg white mixture into the cooled chocolate mixture until it's all one color and texture. Fold in the rest of the meringue until just incorporated.
• Pour the mixture into a serving bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, at least 6 hours.
• To serve, whip the heavy whipping cream and baker's sugar to soft peaks. Top a scoop of the mousse with whipped cream, caramel crunch, and chopped chocolate.

Steps:

• NOTE: The flavor of this mousse depends entirely on the chocolate you use.
• Please use the highest quality chocolate you can.
• DO NOT use Bakers chocolate.
• Do not use chocolate chips.
• I like Callabeut, but Sharffenberger, Valhrona, Giardelli-- all are options.
• DIRECTIONS: melt the chocolate, espresso, and rum in the microwave on 50% power for about 2 minutes.
• Stir until smooth.
• Whisk in the yolk and mix well.
• Set aside.
• Using a little dash of vinegar and a paper towel, wipe down the insides of the bowl of your mixer, and the whipping attachment.
• Add the whites and whip until soft peaks form.
• Sprinkle in the sugar, beating on high until stiff, but not dry.
• Fold a quarter of the whites into the chocolate to lighten it, then scrape the remaining whites on top of the chocolate and set aside.
• Beat the cream until it holds its shape (not too stiff) then scrape on top of the whites.
• Fold everything together gently until no streaks of white appear.
• Turn the mousse into your prepared mold, into pretty cups, into custard cups, or whatever you are serving it in and refrigerate until service, at least 2 hours.
• Or just refrigerate in the bowl until needed as a filling for cakes or cream puffs, etc.
• Note: This mousse is very rich and decadent, and it's my favorite because it holds it shape nicely when refrigerated.
• This allows it to be formed into molds and terrines and be sliced or cut.
• It is also a great spreading consistency, and my favorite thing to do with this mousse is use it as a filling for cakes.
• I also like to fold more whipped cream into it (50% mousse, 50% whipped cream) and use it as a filling for eclairs, cream puffs and profiteroles.
• The uses for this mousse are endless.