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–+ servings
A decadent slice of Chocolate Mousse Layer Cake with rich chocolate cake and creamy white filling.

Chocolate Mousse Layer Cake

A rich and decadent chocolate mousse layer cake perfect for any celebration.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chocolate Cake Layers
For the Chocolate Mousse Filling

Equipment

  • 9-inch round cake pans
  • Electric mixer
  • Saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Gradually stir in the hot water until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin.
  5. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
  6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. While the cakes cool, prepare the mousse. Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
  9. In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 cup of heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth and melted.
  10. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt.
  11. Gradually whisk about half of the warm chocolate mixture into the egg yolk mixture to temper the yolks. Then, pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the remaining chocolate mixture and whisk until smooth.
  12. In a clean bowl, whip the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
  13. Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until no streaks remain.
  14. Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate. Spread the chocolate mousse evenly over the cake layer.
  15. Top with the second cake layer and gently press down.
  16. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until the mousse is set.
  17. Frost the cake with your favorite chocolate frosting, if desired, before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 6gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 3gSugar: 40gVitamin A: 10IUCalcium: 5mgIron: 4mg

Notes

For a smoother mousse, ensure the chocolate is completely melted and the whipped cream is folded in gently to avoid deflating it. You can also add a tablespoon of instant coffee to the hot cream to enhance the chocolate flavor.

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