Chocolate mousse marathon finale: third runner up…!
Finally, we are down to the final three chocolate mousse recipes, in search for the very best one.
Now, before I get into details about this wonder, I have to say that all the three finalist were so close to each other that we needed a double vote to finally pick a winner.
So, without further talks, the third runner up is a recipe by a fellow blogger Viviane from Chocolate Chilli Mango (if you haven’t seen her blog, get there now. Like now!).
Her recipe resulted in nothing other then a rich, airy and decadent chocolate mousse with good dash of liquor in it. Pretty much the definition of a good chocolate mousse, no?
It’s a classical recipe, celebrating non other but chocolate in all it’s glory. (I’m getting hungry just thinking about it again). Hence, it should not come as a surprise, that it got thumbs up and highest scores from the judges.
On a personal note, I’ve had the pleasure to know Viviane via blogosphere and we’ve always joked of being kindred spirits and thinking alike… and it seems we do when it comes to chocolate, at least.
Allow me to explain: it seems our ways of making chocolate mousse are almost identical, as we use exactly the same ingredients, just a little different process. I’ve already wrote about the recipe I use from Nicolas Boussin (and how I sabotaged it), but when it came to Viviane’s recipe I’ve followed it line to line, and the result, well, finale obviously! My dear readers, this is a must try! Happy weekend!
Recipe from Chocolate Chilli Mango
- 240 grams couverture or good quality dark chocolate (min 64% or 70% cacao)
- a generous pinch sea salt
- 50 grams unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 4 egg yolks, at room temperature
- 50 grams sugar
- 20 millilitres liqueur (I’ve used Grand Marnier)
- 4 egg whites, at room temperature
- In a bowl, over a pan of hot water, melt the chocolate. Once melted, remove from the heat, add the salt, and gently stir in the butter, till you have a homogenous. Set aside to cool to lukewarm.
- In a bowl, over a pan of hot water, whisk the egg yolks with 20 grams of the sugar until pale yellow and increased in volume, and ribbons when you lift the whisk. Gently drizzle the chocolate over the egg yolks and fold in, along with the liqueur. Set aside.
- Whisk the egg whites until foamy. Add the remaining 30 grams sugar and whisk until stiff peaks. If using a heavy-duty mixer, start on a low-speed working your way up to a high-speed. The meringue incorporates as much air as possible to give extra lightness to the mousse.
- Fold in a small amount of the meringue into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Gently fold in the remaining meringue, turning the bowl as you fold it, until no white streaks remain. Do this gently to avoid deflating the mixture too much.
- Divide between serving dishes and leave to set for at least 4 to 5 hours, or overnight. Remove from the refrigerator about 30 – 60 minutes before serving.
Previous posts in the chocolate mousse marathon:
- Julia Child’s chocolate mousse
- Chocolate mousse with Grand Marnier
- Silken tofu chocolate mousse
- 5 minute instant chocolate mousse
- Chocolate orange mousse
- Avocado chocolate mousse
- Chocolate mousse in a blender
- Gordon Ramsay 4 minute chocolate mousse
- White chocolate mousse with rose and orange blossom
Oh WOW. I mean, WOW!!!!
Thank you!! So glad all the judges loved it.
It’s been so much fun following this contest, I can’t wait to see the top 2 and try out some of the recipes!
We’re definitely kindred spirits, even if I do have an evil twin that likes making weird stuff with protein powders half the time LOL
xxx
Viviane, it’s a wonderful recipe and is something I will surely be making again
p.s. having seen that those other things you make, I must say they look very very good!
It looks heavenly! I love the addition of liqueur.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks Rosa, liqueur can only make things better, right?
I see what you mean – looking at these glorious photos, textures – this is a must try! Fabulous. You’ve now got the family craving for a wonderfully wicked chocolate mousse and this looks like it will definitely hit the spot!
I’m sure your family should be spoilt with all the wonderful macarons you make, but in terms of chocolate cravings, this is one of the best (of those I’ve tried) to satisfy it
Gorgeous, plus I love the serving dishes!
Thanks Laura!
liquor in it? Man tada tikriausiai šitas būtų no.1
))
Man tikriausiai bet kas su likeriu irgi visada i pirmas vietas keliauja
The texture on the second photo does look perfect! Like the ideal home-made chocolate mousse should be. Airy, but very rich and slightly “gluey” (visually). At least this is my idea of the chocolate mousse. Thank you for sharing this excellent idea! (You know, I’m still fighting to stop myself from making a chocolate mousse, I make light fruit and yogurt desserts, but I think with all these posts and amazing photos I will not be able to resist for a very long time…).
Your yogurt and fruit desserts look so good and I think I should be eating those more than all this chocolate
Thank you for the kind words. Actually I’m thinking the opposite all the time: why do I make “diet” desserts if chocolate mousse is so much more exciting?
Probably your because your wiser than I am
all that chocolate is bound to catch up with me eventually 
Wowsers, this is one decadent treat. I am now craving mousse.
Thanks Kim Bee
This looks heavenly! All of your chocolate mousse comparisons have definitely got me craving a spoonful… or three! Thanks for sharing.
If it’s any consolation, I’m on continuos chocolate craving a ever since I’ve started this marathon
Seku si bloga gana ilgai; bet kokia misle – niekaip negaliu prisiminti, kaip as ji radau, ir tik siandien supratau, kad cia tautietes blogas. Malonus nustebimas ir pagarba. Laukiu chocolate mousse laimetoju!
Labai aciu, jura, tikrai malonu girdeti
I am definitely doing my own taste testing of your Top 3! I know I have plenty of friends who would volunteer to assist. Printed off recipe #1
That’s so much fun to do, and I can assure you’ll probably plenty volunteers
This is my first visit to your blog, and I’m already drooling over all your chocolate mousse posts! Can’t wait to see what you do next!
Thanks so much
Looks delicious. And decadent!
Thanks Carol, decadent it is
Gosh..I missed out the chocolate mousse marathon…just browsed tofu and the instant one..awesome..need to give a try.
Yes, the tofu is definitely worth trying, both good and tasty
I think it is pretty cool that you landed on a fellow bloggers creation as being the best after all the testing. There is a lot of untapped talent out there and Viviane does have some delicious treats on her blog!
Your pictures here are just stunning and really reflect how fluffy and rich this dessert is. I will need to try this-especially like that there is grand marnier in there!
It is really early here. .. I now see that this is the third runner up and the top has not been decided yet. However, this one is number one in my book!
I have mornings like that too (especially if I hadn’t had any caffeine in my system). Anyhow, Viviane’s dessert deserves the highest notes
Mmm, minus the grand manier this sounds a lot like my aunt’s amaaaaazing mousse – couverture all the way!
This looks utterly amazing – man! What a treat
I never mind the booze, but even without it, it’s aan excellent dessert
Sublime. That is the only was to describe it!
Definitely going to have to give it a try.
I have never made a mousse at home. really looking forward to it.
Oh, you’ve never made chocolade mousse at home? You have to really, with good chocolade it will be great
This looks fantastic – and the texture inside… sooo good. I’ve really been enjoying your chocolate mousses – Nice to see the third place and I can’t wait to see the second/first place
Love your serving dishes as well – so pretty 
Thanks Charles, this marathon was a test for my pantry, I think I’ve used every suitable dish in pantry to accommodate all the chocolate
this looks incredible. wow chocolate mousse with grand marnier.. you have a beautiful blog here.
Thank you very much
This is how I make chocolate mousse too. I got my recipe from my mother-in-law. It’s her signature dessert so I don’t make it when she visits.
Now that is very wise! Never to serve your mother in law her signature dishes! You can’t win there
Another good test — your party must have been a ton of fun! I love those cute bowls, too!
Thanks
It was like six kids have just landed in chocolate wonderland 
Oh wow!! Tasting chocolate mousse must be so fun! Must be such a hard decision debating between all these delicious looking mousse! And I loooove Grand Marnier!!
Indeed, a very hard decision
Ooh – a little dash of Grand Marnier certainly won’t hurt anything!
Wow, this looks fabulous! Love the third picture with three cups of mousse – looks delicious!