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    Home • Recipes • Classic French Dishes

    French Dark Chocolate Mousse (Mousse au Chocolat)

    Published: Aug 13, 2020 · Modified: Nov 20, 2023 by Jill Colonna30 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Easy authentic French recipe for dark chocolate mousse. Made with egg whites and without cream or butter, it's healthy too. The result is the lightest, fluffiest yet intense mousse au chocolat - and the most typical dessert in France, popular on many restaurant menus around Paris.

    I LOVE this chocolate mousse! I have made other recipes and eaten many chocolate mousses in France but this recipe is the best! I also like that it is light. Thanks so much for sharing! - Kathleen

    glass dish of chocolate mousse with cherries

    Traditional Recipe Ingredients

    Trust the French to transform just four simple yet good quality ingredients into a most elegant dessert. This French 'mousse au chocolat' recipe essentially consists of 70% dark chocolate with whipped, organic egg whites making it extremely light.

    It's a fluffy yet still intense French recipe for dark chocolate mousse - without cream or butter.

    It's not unlike this egg white-based light-as-a-feather white chocolate mousse with orange blossom.

    Is Mousse from France? Some History

    According to my Larousse Gastronomique, a Mousse is from France. According to journalist Olivier Poels for Europe 1 channel, it was around during King Louis XVI time in the 18th century thanks to the royal Swiss cook, Charles Fazi. As I would recount in my Parisian chocolate tours, Queen Marie-Antoinette was also partial to her chocolate, procuring such a luxury at the time via the pharmacies to avoid paying taxes on medicines.

    It wasn't until slightly later in 1820 that the term, "mousse" came on the scene by the royal chef, Viard. He wrote out the royal recipe for chocolate mousse and, from then on, was made in well-to-do households and gradually became popular.

    Even artist, Toulouse-Lautrec created a French chocolate mousse not unlike this recipe below. He mixed together cacao with whipped egg whites, adding sugar and butter.

    What Does Mousse Mean in French?

    French 'Mousse' is literally translated as 'foam' and can be savoury as well as sweet. 

    It's created by whipping up many egg whites to achieve this and cream is normally not used - although many recipes add a touch of cream to lighten it up if you're not used to intense dark (bittersweet) chocolate.

    Personally I prefer it like the French - without the cream. That way the chocolate shines through completely.

    arial view of mousse au chocolat with spoon and a dark chocolate macaron geranium flower

    What Chocolate is Best for Dark Chocolate Mousse?

    In this chocolate mousse recipe, I use 70% bittersweet (dark) couverture chocolate.

    The better quality the chocolate, the better this mousse will be. One of my best-loved cooking chocolate is Nestlé's Corsé tablets with 64% cocoa or Lindt's intense dark cooking chocolate.

    Even more intense in chocolate, then use Cacao Barry's 72% Venezuelan chocolate. It has complicated flavours of wine, black olives and a woodiness that comes from using two cacao beans, Criollo (the most rare) and Trinitario.

    I'm not sponsored in mentioning them above, but just sharing what I normally use for this recipe.

    French Chocolate Mousse

    What Can Go Wrong With Chocolate Mousse?

    The recipe is easy, using a few best quality ingredients: good bittersweet (couverture) chocolate - I use 70% cacao; a spoonful of unsweetened cocoa powder, a little sugar, fresh & organic egg whites and only one egg yolk (which is optional).

    However, what can possibly go wrong when making chocolate mousse?
    It doesn't matter for the egg whites, but if the yolk is cold and added to the chocolate it will seize the chocolate up while added.  If this does happen, then just add a spoon of boiling water to fix it.

    So, here are my recipe tips:

    • If egg whites are 2-3 days' old, they will whip and mousse up even easier than if fresh;
    • Ensure your egg yolk is at room temperature.
    • Moreover, to make it EVEN EASIER, add the egg yolk to the whites at the END of whipping.

    Seizing of Chocolate Problem completely solved!

    melting dark chocolate and whipping up egg whites

    French Chocolate Mousse Recipe - Without Cream

    What makes an authentic French chocolate mousse? As you can see from the recipe below, it is made without any cream.

    The whipped egg whites make this light and fluffy to appreciate the good quality of the chocolate. So the result is an intense mousse for the most gourmet of chocolate lovers.

    Melt (good quality) dark chocolate and unsweetened chocolate powder together over a pan of simmering water (bain-marie or water boiler), then fold in whipped egg whites with a little sugar and an egg yolk (as if as an afterthought).

    Although slightly tweaked with more dark chocolate, less cocoa powder and the addition of salt, this is my favourite recipe originally inspired by chef Raymond Blanc. I also added the yolk in the egg whites rather than adding it to the chocolate.

    folding in melted chocolate into egg whites

    Perfect Egg White Dessert Recipe

    What you can do with egg whites for dessert?  You're in luck! This recipe uses six fresh egg whites.

    Only ONE egg yolk is used, although it's optional as I've discovered it's a recipe that works well also without it.

    More egg white recipes

    How Long do Egg Whites Last in the Fridge?

    Egg whites can last for 5 days - even up to a week - in the fridge.  I normally store them sealed in a clean jam jar. What's more, egg whites freeze well.

    So if you're making any of the egg yolk recipes, keep the whites aside and freeze them until needed. I like to defrost them overnight.

    spoonful of chocolate mousse with a chocolate macaron on top and edible pansy

    French Dark Mousse au Chocolat - Low in Sugar

    Little sugar is used in this healthy chocolate mousse.  As I have learned from many French pastry chefs, too much sugar not only makes the mousse become grainy but it also interferes with the flavour of the intense, dark chocolate.
    What's the point of having good quality ingredients if you mask it with too much sugar?

    For another healthy mousse recipe, see my white chocolate mousse - it's made with cream but no added sugar.

    How Long Does Chocolate Mousse Take to Set in the Fridge?

    This light and fluffy French chocolate mousse only takes about 2 hours to set in the fridge.  What's more, if you have any leftovers, it can keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.

    spoonful of a fluffy dark chocolate dessert topped with a macaron and edible flower

    Serving Ideas for French Chocolate Mousse

    What can you serve with it?

    In most French restaurants, chocolate mousse traditionally arrives with a simple dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder on top.

    C'est tout (that's it)!

    However, if you like the extra frills and garnishes, serve with

    • Coconut macaroons;
    • French tuiles, or edible flowers;
    • If you love nuts, top with some toasted nuts or this delicious soft caramel nougatine.
    • Fruits: I love to top it with fresh cherries in summer or in winter with pears, boozy cherries, clementines or candied chestnuts.
    • Macarons (recipes in my books);
    • Palets Bretons (French salted butter biscuits) using some of the remaining egg yolks.
    glass pots of chocolate mousse topped with nutty caramel, passion fruits, macarons and scrabble letters for amour

    More French Chocolate Desserts

    Like this mousse? Then for an exotic version also made without cream, make this fluffy chocolate mousse with passion fruit, topped with soft, nutty caramel.

    glass dish of chocolate mousse with cherries

    French Dark Chocolate Mousse (Mousse au chocolat)

    Jill Colonna
    Authentic French dark chocolate mousse recipe made with egg whites and without cream. Also reduced in sugar to appreciate the quality of the dark chocolate.
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine French
    Servings 5 people
    Calories 243 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 170 g (6oz) 70% dark (bittersweet) cooking chocolate (a cup)
    • 10 g (2 tsp) unsweetened cocoa powder (I use Van Houten)
    • 170 g (6oz) organic egg whites (from 5 large fresh eggs)
    • 30 g (1oz/ 2 tbsp) sugar
    • 1 organic egg, separated (at room temperature)
    • pinch salt fleur de sel (Maldon or Celtic sea salt)*

    Instructions
     

    • Separate the extra egg, keeping the yolk aside for later (at room temperature). Add the egg white to the rest of the whites (to make to about 200g).
    • Melt the chocolate and cocoa powder together in a bowl over a pan of simmering water (Bain-marie), taking care not to overcook the chocolate (don't have the water at a rolling boil, just simmering gently). As soon as the chocolate begins to melt, switch off the heat and stir until completely smooth, then take the bowl off the heat.
    • In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites (using a stand mixer or electric beaters) with the sugar until soft and strong peaks form.
    • When the whites are strong and hold well, continue to whisk in the egg yolk and add the fleur de sel.
      Gradually add the whipped egg whites to the chocolate using a strong yet flexible spatula, folding each carefully until well blended together. Repeat folding gently until the consistency is completely mixed together, light and airy.
    • Either transfer the bowl to the fridge or pour/spoon into serving glasses and place in the fridge to set for at least 2 hours until ready to serve.
      Serve chilled and top with fresh fruit, shaved chocolate or a sprig of mint.

    Video

    Notes

    Serve chilled with chocolate macarons (see the recipes in both my books), tuile cookies, or garnish with a sprig of mint, edible flowers, boozy cherries or clementines. If you really want the cream, add a dollop of freshly whipped Chantilly cream.
    * Variations: Omit the salt and add a teaspoon of soluble coffee granules for a mocha treat - or add the zest of an orange or lime for a citrus take on the recipe. Add a tablespoon of Cognac or Grand Marnier liqueur for a special occasion (adults only). 
    Egg yolk: I have tried this without the yolk and the recipe works well too if you prefer without. If so, you'll need 200g egg whites.
    Measures: Please note that all my recipes are best made using digital kitchen scales in precise metric grams. Both ounces (and cups) are given as an approximate guide.
    Keyword chocolate mousse recipe without cream, dark chocolate mousse, french mousse, lightest chocolate mousse recipe, French chocolate mousse recipe

    This post was originally published on 8 October 2018 but now completely updated with a video.

    More Chocolate - in Paris

    Planning on a trip to Paris and need a fix of good chocolate? I have you covered (pun intended!). Check out your DIY self-guided tour around Montmartre, the best chocolate candy or sweet shops and some of the most wonderful chocolate shops and pâtisseries in Paris in French Food Guides.

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    Jill Colonna standing in a French patisserie lab holding a giant whisk over an oversized mixer bowl

    Meet Jill Colonna

    Both Scottish and French, Jill is author of patisserie books and French food blog, Mad About Macarons since 2010. Join her 30 years' full-time experience of living the healthy food life in Paris - via easy recipes and local food guides in France.

    More about Jill

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Stone Worshipper

      April 02, 2023 at 3:46 pm

      5 stars
      Was looking for a mousse without cream this turned out a big hit. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        April 03, 2023 at 2:59 pm

        So happy you liked the video - and thanks so much for your feedback!

        Reply
      • Klaude

        August 07, 2023 at 5:30 pm

        5 stars
        Amazing! I really didn't expect it to turn out well with my cooking skills

        Reply
        • Jill Colonna

          August 07, 2023 at 5:39 pm

          That's wonderful to hear that, Klaude. Thanks so much for your feedback. Hope you enjoy more recipes on the website!

          Reply
    2. Aayusha Chy

      March 12, 2023 at 2:04 pm

      5 stars
      Superbe recette - bravo !

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        March 17, 2023 at 2:49 pm

        Thanks so much for your feedback, Aayusha - glad you liked the video!

        Reply
    3. Prerna Mehta

      January 14, 2023 at 5:27 am

      5 stars
      Hi,

      Question, if one is uncomfortable with uncooked eggs, can the egg whites be whisked over the Bain Marie?

      Thanks!
      Prerna

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        January 14, 2023 at 7:41 pm

        Hi Prerna,

        I would suggest if you really can't find good quality organic eggs and don't want to use them in the mousse to make this, use either whipped cream or make a chocolate mousse cake style which is my fondant cake. I have never had any problems using egg whites and don't believe it's a problem as long as your egg whites are within the sell-by date and organic. Hope this helps.

        Reply
    4. Zoe Hughes

      November 08, 2022 at 7:24 pm

      I haven't tried it yet! But I'm wondering what happens if you omit the yolk?

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        November 08, 2022 at 7:30 pm

        Hi Zoe,
        You can omit the yolk no problem if you prefer. It just has a bit less richness but works well nonetheless. Let me know how you get on x

        Reply
    5. Agnes

      July 20, 2022 at 10:56 pm

      5 stars
      This was quicker to make than Nigellas! Most of time is seperating the eggs. Good for a chocolate craving emergency indeed!

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        July 23, 2022 at 10:05 am

        So glad you like this, Agnes. Thanks so much for popping in!

        Reply
    6. Daphne Helen Kenworthy

      April 23, 2022 at 3:09 pm

      5 stars
      first class like all your recipes

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        April 23, 2022 at 3:16 pm

        Thanks so much, Daphne. So happy you like it!

        Reply
    7. Jason

      January 28, 2022 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious mousse and easy to make with so few ingredients.A big hit with family and friends.

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        January 28, 2022 at 5:35 pm

        Thanks so much for popping in and sharing this, Jason. Much appreciated!

        Reply
    8. Peggy

      October 16, 2020 at 8:12 pm

      5 stars
      My husband and I both love dark chocolate and this recipe is light and delicious. Thanks for sharing it with us.

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        October 17, 2020 at 12:12 pm

        So happy you like it, Peggy. Thanks for popping in to say so.

        Reply
    9. Alex

      October 03, 2020 at 11:30 am

      Hi Jill, can you use this mousse in a layer cake?

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        October 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

        Hi Alex, I haven't used this in a layer cake but don't see why not. However, you'll need to chill the mousse first to make it easier to work with.

        Reply
    10. Kathleen S

      August 19, 2020 at 8:18 pm

      5 stars
      I LOVE this chocolate mousse! I have made other recipes and eaten many chocolate mousses in France but this recipe is the best! I also like that it is light. Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        August 20, 2020 at 6:39 pm

        So thrilled you like it too, Kathleen. I've tried many too and so it makes it all worthwhile, then!

        Reply
    11. sherry

      August 16, 2020 at 1:12 pm

      yes i like the idea of having it not too sweet so you get the lovely chocolate flavour.

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        August 16, 2020 at 1:17 pm

        Agreed, Sherry. That's another reason why we love to cook at home - we can control these kind of things x

        Reply
    12. Guy

      August 16, 2020 at 12:25 pm

      5 stars
      The one of my childhood! Thanks for this Madaboutmacarons !

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        August 20, 2020 at 6:37 pm

        It's a pleasure, Guy - but please just call me Jill 😉

        Reply
    13. Charlie

      October 15, 2018 at 1:25 pm

      Hi Jill!
      Thank you for posting this recipe.
      Can this be used with a semi-sweet or a milk Chocolate?
      Dark Chocolate gives me migraines.

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        October 18, 2018 at 10:50 pm

        Hi Charlie - I already responded privately by email as I couldn't answer here as on my travels but just for other readers who pop in here:
        Yes you can use semi-sweet or milk chocolate instead of dark (bittersweet) chocolate but as long as you know it will not be the same recipe, as normally this uses no milk or cream and both types of chocolate have added sugar. In this case, I'd recommend reducing the sugar and adding another couple of egg whites, just to keep it as light as possible. Enjoy!

        Reply
    14. Christina | Christina's Cucina

      October 08, 2018 at 11:31 pm

      5 stars
      Yet another crazy coincidence: my French friend Marie and I were talking about food last week and our pet peeves, when she brought up REAL French chocolate mousse. "It must NEVER contain any cream!" she ranted. So incredible that you post chocolate mousse today! It sounds lovely and I just have to try it since I've never had the authentic French kind!

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        October 09, 2018 at 8:29 am

        Well we must have some kind of telepathic gourmet cravings - how funny! (Although, admittedly, we could just be craving more chocolate as the Autumn weather kicks in?) Yes, she's right about no cream in a real French chocolate mousse. If you've never tried it, then put these egg whites aside... with good quality chocolate, this is heaven.

        Reply

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