Savory Chocolate Mousse

The perfect dessert for Valentine’s Day or any time you want a decadent but easy treat for chocolate lovers.

INGREDIENTS
1 ¾ cups chilled whipping cream
12 ounces chocolate chips or semi sweet baking chocolate
3 ounces strong coffee
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons butter

For garnish (optional)
1 cup chilled whipping cream
¼ cup powdered sugar (or regular sugar, but powdered preferred)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
In top of a double boiler, combine chocolate, coffee, vanilla and butter. Melt over barely simmering water, stirring constantly. Remove from heat while a couple of chunks of chocolate are still visible. Cool, stirring occasionally to just above body temperature.

Beat cream to medium peaks. Stir ¼ of the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Fold in the remaining whipped cream in two parts. There may be streaks of whipped cream in the chocolate and that is fine. Do not over work the mousse.

For garnish (optional) whip 1 cup cream until almost stiff, gradually add sugar and vanilla. Garnish just before serving.

Spoon into bowls or glasses and chill for at least 1 hour.

Tip: Chill bowl and beaters before beating whipped cream.

SERVINGS
Depending on size of bowl or glass, this makes 4-8 servings.

Please note: For food chemistry reasons, scaling does not work well for some recipes. Recipes that do not scale well are delicate foods such as soufflés, baked items requiring yeast such as breads, and recipes that prepare a single large item that is meant to be later divided into smaller portions such as cakes, pies, breads and whole turkey.