White Chocolate Mousse Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with this creamy, dreamy dessert: White Chocolate Mousse. Each spoonful offers a delicate balance of rich, luscious white chocolate and airy whipped cream, resulting in spectacularly smooth bites that melt in your mouth. Whether you’re hosting an elegant dinner party or simply treating yourself, this White Chocolate Mousse recipe is my go-to for a no-fuss yet sophisticated sweet finish. Trust me, once you taste it, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this White Chocolate Mousse truly wonderful is how just a handful of quality ingredients can transform into a show-stopping dessert. Each component is essential, playing its own unique role in creating that velvety texture and nuanced sweetness everyone craves.
- White chocolate (6 ounces, chopped): Choose a good-quality white chocolate for a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth flavor and finish.
- Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons): Adds a subtle richness and helps the chocolate meld seamlessly with the cream.
- Heavy cream (1/2 cup, for melting): Keeps the chocolate glossy and silky during melting.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Deepens the flavor profile and enhances the white chocolate’s natural notes.
- Heavy cream (1 cup, for whipping): This gets whipped to soft peaks, providing the decadent mousse its signature airy texture.
- Pinch of salt: Just a hint balances out the sweetness and brings all the flavors to life.
How to Make White Chocolate Mousse
Step 1: Melt the White Chocolate and Butter
Begin by setting up a heatproof bowl over a pot of barely simmering water (the classic double boiler method). Combine the chopped white chocolate, unsalted butter, and 1/2 cup of heavy cream in the bowl. Stir gently as they melt together, taking care to ensure the mixture is smooth and glossy. The gentle heat prevents scorching and keeps everything silky.
Step 2: Add Vanilla and Salt
Once your white chocolate mixture is fully melted and lump-free, remove it from the heat. Stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Both of these seemingly small additions are key—they round out the sweetness and give your White Chocolate Mousse an irresistible richness.
Step 3: Cool the Mixture
Set your chocolate mixture aside and let it cool to room temperature. This is an important step! Adding whipped cream to warm chocolate could cause it to deflate or separate, so patience pays off here for the perfect mousse consistency.
Step 4: Whip the Cream
While your chocolate mixture is cooling, whip the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream in a separate bowl. You’re aiming for soft peaks—cloud-like and billowy, but still able to hold their shape (a great tip is to stop whipping just as the cream forms gentle peaks that droop over). Over-whipping can result in a grainy texture, so keep an eye out!
Step 5: Fold the Cream into the Chocolate Mixture
This is where the magic really happens. Add the whipped cream to the cooled white chocolate mixture in several batches, gently folding it in with a spatula. Take your time and use light motions to avoid losing the beautiful airiness. When no streaks remain, your White Chocolate Mousse is ready to set!
Step 6: Portion and Chill
Spoon or pipe the mousse into individual serving glasses. Chill them in the refrigerator for at least two hours, or longer if you prefer a firmer set. The waiting is the hardest part, but the end result is absolutely worth it.
How to Serve White Chocolate Mousse
Garnishes
Top your mousse with fresh berries, a few delicate white chocolate curls, or a scattering of crushed cookies for delightful contrast. The fruit adds color and zing, while the chocolate or cookies appeal to every sweet tooth. Sometimes, a tiny sprig of mint crowns it all perfectly.
Side Dishes
While White Chocolate Mousse shines on its own, serving alongside crisp biscotti, delicate butter cookies, or even a scoop of tangy raspberry sorbet can truly elevate dessert hour. Each pairing brings a new dimension, whether you’re after crunch or a burst of fruity flavor to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Show off your mousse in elegant champagne flutes or rustic mason jars for casual gatherings. Layer it in parfait glasses with macerated berries or crumbled shortbread for a “deconstructed” vibe. Or, try piping it atop mini tart shells for bite-sized, party-ready treats—so much fun for any celebration!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover White Chocolate Mousse tightly covered in the refrigerator. It will keep its lusciousness for up to three days. The texture may become slightly denser over time, but a gentle stir brings it right back.
Freezing
You can freeze White Chocolate Mousse for up to a month in airtight containers. While it’s best enjoyed fresh, letting it thaw slowly in the fridge brings back most of that signature silky smoothness—perfect for prepping ahead!
Reheating
White Chocolate Mousse doesn’t require reheating, but if it gets too firm straight from the fridge or freezer, let it rest at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This little pause restores that delightful, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
FAQs
Can I make White Chocolate Mousse in advance?
Absolutely! In fact, making it a day ahead gives it extra time to chill and set, making it even creamier. Just keep it covered and cold until ready to serve.
What if I don’t have a double boiler?
No worries! Simply set a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, ensuring the bottom doesn’t touch the water. Stir constantly for smooth, gentle melting without scorching.
Can I use store-bought whipped cream for this recipe?
Freshly whipped cream is definitely preferred for the lightest texture and cleanest flavor, but in a pinch, very lightly sweetened whipped topping can work if folded in gently.
How do I ensure my mousse is fluffy, not dense?
Gently folding, not stirring, is crucial. Use slow, circular motions with a spatula and work in batches to keep as much air as possible in the mousse. Over-mixing can deflate its signature lightness.
Can I add other flavors to my White Chocolate Mousse?
Definitely! Try adding a splash of liqueur (like raspberry or orange), a hint of citrus zest, or a spoonful of cream cheese for tang. Just be sure additions don’t weigh down the mousse’s airy structure.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like sharing a batch of homemade White Chocolate Mousse, whether you’re celebrating with friends or just indulging yourself after a long week. It’s surprisingly simple, impossibly elegant, and always a crowd-pleaser. Go ahead and treat yourself—your taste buds will thank you!
Print
White Chocolate Mousse Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Description
Indulge in the creamy decadence of this luscious White Chocolate Mousse that effortlessly combines the rich sweetness of white chocolate with airy whipped cream for a delightful dessert experience.
Ingredients
White Chocolate Mixture:
- 6 ounces white chocolate, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (for melting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream (for whipping)
Instructions
- Melt White Chocolate: In a double boiler, melt white chocolate and butter with 1/2 cup of heavy cream until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and salt. Let cool.
- Whip Cream: In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup of heavy cream to soft peaks.
- Combine: Gently fold whipped cream into cooled white chocolate mixture until smooth.
- Chill: Spoon or pipe mousse into serving glasses and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- Top with fresh berries, white chocolate curls, or crushed cookies for extra flavor and texture.
- For a firmer mousse, chill longer or add a tablespoon of cream cheese to the white chocolate mixture before folding in the whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 small cup
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
