Chocolate Mousse Parfait Recipes

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Place the butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Break the chocolate into small pieces directly into the bowl. Microwave it in 20-second intervals, stirring between each bout of heat, until the chocolate is about 75% melted. Stir, allowing the residual heat in the bowl to melt the chocolate completely. (Alternatively, place the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and place over a saucepan containing about 1 inch of barely simmering water. Stir with a wooden spoon until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.) Let the mixture cool for a few minutes, then whisk in the egg yolks one at a time, mixing until smooth after each addition. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat the egg whites on medium-high speed until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form (the peaks should be just starting to hold, and will melt back into themselves after a second). Gradually beat in ¼ cup of the sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form (the peaks will stand straight up when the beaters are lifted from the mixture). Using a large rubber spatula, fold the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture until uniform. Set aside.
• In another bowl, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until it begins to thicken up. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and the vanilla and continue beating until the cream holds medium peaks (when you lift the beaters or whisk out of the bowl, the peaks will slightly droop down, but they won't lose their shape entirely). Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Be sure it is fully incorporated but don't mix any more than necessary. Divide the mousse between 6 individual glasses, cover, and chill until set, at least 2 hours.
• Up to a few hours before serving, whip the cream until it begins to thicken up. Add the sugar and whip to medium peaks. Dollop the whipped cream over the mousse and top with chocolate shavings.
• Make-Ahead Instructions: Mousse can be made up to 1 day ahead of time. Cover with plastic wrap and keep chilled in the refrigerator. Add whipped cream topping and chocolate shavings up to a few hours before serving.
• Note: Chocolate mousse is made with raw eggs. If that is a concern, try to find pasteurized eggs. Pasteurized eggs have been briefly exposed to heat to destroy any potential bacteria. Whole Foods usually carries them but call your local store to be sure before making a special trip. (Note: eating raw eggs is not advisable for pregnant women, babies, the elderly, or anyone with a compromised immune system.)

CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL MOUSSE PARFAITS

Steps:

• For chocolate mousse, heat 2 cups cream in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer, about 180°. Remove from the heat; whisk in chocolate until smooth. Transfer to a bowl; refrigerate until chilled. Beat until soft peaks form., For caramel mousse, beat remaining cream in a large bowl until it begins to thicken. Add caramel topping; beat until soft peaks form., Spoon 3 tablespoons chocolate mousse into six parfait glasses; top with 3 tablespoons caramel mousse. Repeat layers. Refrigerate until serving.

CHOCOLATE-MOUSSE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Whisk together eggs and sugar in a heatproof bowl set over (but not in) a pot of simmering water until doubled in volume and a thermometer registers 160 degrees (6 to 8 minutes). Remove from heat. Add chocolate, cocoa, espresso powder, and salt. Stir in butter until melted. Let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, whip cream to stiff peaks. Stir one-third of whipped cream into chocolate mixture until lightened, then fold in remaining whipped cream. Divide half of mousse between two glasses; sprinkle with crushed cookies. Top with remaining mousse and refrigerate until set, at least 1 hour and up to 1 day. To serve, top with lightly whipped cream and more cookie crumbs.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE PARFAIT

Steps:

• Note: You need 5 - 1 cup decorative dishes for this recipe. Champagne glasses work very well.
• White Chocolate Layer: Combine chocolate and cream in a double boiler over hot water. Leave until partially melted, stirring ocassionally. Remove from pan. Whisk until smooth. Whisk in butter. Add egg yolks, one at a time, whisking vigoroughly after each addition.
• In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Add sugar and beat until whites are stiff but not dry. Quickly fold about one quarter of the whites into the chocolate mixture; spoon in remaining whites and fold until blended. Place in decorative dishes and refrigerate about 1 - 1-1/2 hours or until partially set.
• Milk Chocolate Layer: Same as above. Pour carefully over the first layer.
• Dark Chocolate: Same as above.
• Cover with plastic wrap when set. If desired, garnish with white chocolate or dark chocolate curls or with seasonal fruit.

WHITE-CHOCOLATE MOUSSE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Melt the white chocolate in a small, heatproof bowl over simmering water or in a microwave. Stir until smooth. Set the chocolate aside and proceed immediately; the chocolate needs to be very warm for this speedy recipe to succeed.
• Pour the cream into a medium bowl and add the vanilla and salt. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until the cream forms firm but not stiff peaks, about 2 to 3 min. (Don't go too far or the cream will curdle when the chocolate is beaten in.) Scrape the very warm white chocolate into the cream. Continue beating on medium-high speed until well blended and firm, about 30 seconds. The mousse should form a dollop when dropped from a spoon.
• To serve, spoon the mousse into tall glasses, alternating with layers of the mango chunks and crushed cookies.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Place a medium-large bowl (I use metal) with beaters in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill it.
• When ready to make the mouse, remove the bowl and beaters from the fridge.
• In the bowl add in the white chocolate pudding mix, hot chocolate, milk and cream.
• Starting your beaters off on low, slowly blend the mixture together. ~1-2 minutes.
• Slowly increase the beaters to medium high and start to whip.
• As the mixture starts to thicken up add in 1 tablespoon at a time of the soft dark chocolate incorporating before adding in the next.
• The mixture will be thick and fluffy in about 5-6 minutes.
• Grab 4-6 pretty Parfait Glass and place enough mousse to fill up 1/3 of the way.
• Place a tablespoon of the mini marshmallow bits on top.
• Pour the ganache over top of the bits dividing evenly.
• Add the rest of the mousse on top of each parfait.
• Garnish with the remaining bits and chocolate curls.
• Place the mixture into your serving cups.
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.