Chocolate mousse recipe

This decadent chocolate mousse is fast and easy to make, and fancy enough for any fine dinner finale. Unlike many mousse recipes, it’s eggless so it can be enjoyed by most everyone. Use good quality chocolate bars and 40% heavy whipping cream.

INGREDIENTS: DIRECTIONS:

•8 oz. semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

•1 tsp pure vanilla extract

•½ salt

•2 tbs liqueur or espresso (optional)

•3 cups heavy cream divided

•¼ cup powdered sugar

In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of heavy cream to a light boil, reduce heat, whisk in salt and vanilla. Turn off heat and add the chopped chocolate, then whisk until smooth (add optional amaretto, espresso or Kahlua at this point), whisking until smooth.

Cover and chill in the fridge until just cool — 15 minutes or so (don’t leave too long or it will become too stiff to fold with whipped cream).

Beat last 2 cups of heavy cream and powdered sugar in a stand-up mixer on medium-high speed until you have stiff peaks. Save ½ of the whipped cream in a storage container and refrigerate until assembly.

Fold the chocolate into the mixing bowl of the remaining cup of whipped cream and gently fold by hand until the remaining whipped cream is incorporated and there are no streaks of cream.

Scoop into 6 or 8 glasses or small bowls, and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.

When ready to serve, pull from fridge and let sit out for 15 minutes or so. Garnish with whipped cream, chocolate curls and fresh, plump raspberries.

There’s so much good in this community. You can always count on Sandpoint citizens to show up and shell out their hardearned money to improve the lives in our community. There are a lot of big hearts living in our tiny hometown.

Speaking of hearts, don’t forget that Valentine’s Day is coming. If you plan to dine out, I hope you’ve already made your reservation at one of our fantastic local restaurants. I can’t think of an establishment that didn’t provide a cake — or buy a cake (or two) — so be sure and thank them for their generosity.

If you don’t have time to make an auction-worthy dessert to finish your romantic evening, try my silky and delicious chocolate mousse recipe. It’s simple to make but fancy enough to serve your favorite Valentine.

Makes 6-8 servings.