Light and airy, yet rich and luxurious, chocolate mousse is a beloved indulgence. But is there an easier way to make this classic dessert when you’re short on time or its traditional ingredients? Jeanette’s chocolate mousse cups combine whipped cream and melted chocolate with an Oreo crust into single servings of decadence. Learn how to make this quick chocolate mousse recipe for a weeknight pleasure or dinner party showstopper.

Reinventing Dessert Classics: Jeanette’s Chocolate Mousse Cups

The silky texture that defines chocolate mousse is derived from the skillful blending of whipped egg whites and melted chocolate. To simplify this process, Jeanette’s chocolate mousse cups substitute whipped cream for egg whites, achieving the same rich consistency. Before we detail how to make it, here’s a little background on this classic dessert and how to enhance it with perfect pairings.

History of Chocolate Mousse

While savory mousses predated their sweet cousins by a century, the French first created chocolate mousse in the 1700s. “Mousse” is French for “foam” or “froth,” which is achieved by beating egg whites until they’re fluffy and full of air. Tempered, melted chocolate is then added for flavor, along with gelatin to uphold its consistency.

Chocolate mousse didn’t make its way to the United States until the late 1800s but was almost instantaneously beloved. Over time, whipped cream has been used as a substitute for the egg whites in classic chocolate mousse, as has white chocolate. The texture can also range from light and fluffy to creamy and thick. 

What Goes Well With Chocolate Mousse?

Chocolate mousse is often offered at the end of an equally-indulgent main course, such as a steak or roast. However, a variety of accompaniments, from fruit to wine, make for a perfect pairing with this mousse cups recipe or any other.

Here’s what goes well with chocolate mousse:

• Sweet wines: A muscat or shiraz has sweet berry undertones that complement the mousse’s deep chocolate flavor. A berry-flavored liquor or a fortified red wine, such as Madeira, can also enhance its richness.
• Fruits: Orange slices or berries, specifically raspberries or strawberries, offer a sweet or acidic bite that plays off the chocolate.
• Cookies: Shortbread, chocolate wafers, or even Oreo sandwich cookies offer a crunchy complement to the creamy mousse.
• Flavorings: The mousse itself can be enhanced with Cointreau or orange zest for a zesty citrus flavor or Chambord for a sweet berry overtone. A topping of whipped cream provides both contrasting color and creamy flavor.

Chocolate Mousse Cups Recipe

Jeanette’s individual chocolate mousse cups are the perfect single serving of creamy chocolate mousse and crunchy Oreo crust. Using whipped cream instead of egg whites and melted chocolate chips makes for easier blending, yielding the creamiest results. Meanwhile, the cookie crust and whipped cream provide a delightfully opposing texture.

Here’s how to make chocolate mousse cups:

Ingredients:

• 10 Oreo cookies
• 2 Tbsps butter, melted
• 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3 ½ cups heavy whipping cream, divided
• 6 oz. fresh raspberries
• 2 Tbsps sugar

Add Oreos to a food processor and process until crushed. Place the crushed Oreos in a bowl and add melted butter, stirring to combine.

Spoon the cookie mixture into the bottom of small jars or plastic cups. Use the back of the spoon to press down on the mixture until compacted.

Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals until melted. Add ½ cup heavy cream to the melted chocolate, stir to combine, and set aside.

With an electric mixer, beat 1 ½ cups of heavy cream until soft peaks form and it’s light and fluffy. Fold the chocolate mixture into the whipped cream.

Add heaping spoonfuls of the mousse on top of the cookie crust in each jar or cup.

Whip the remaining 1 ½ cups of whipped cream with the sugar for 3-4 minutes, until soft peaks form. Spoon the whipped cream on top of the mousse in each cup and top with fresh raspberries.

Need an appliance service and repair for your oven or range? These no-bake chocolate mousse cups can satisfy your sweet tooth until Moore Appliance Service comes to the rescue. Once your range is restored, enjoy more of Jeanette’s individually-sized treats like her Strawberry Cheesecake Cookie Cups or Brownies With Cookie Dough Frosting.