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Irresistible 3-Layer Chocolate Mousse Cake Recipe

Chocolate mousse cake

A rich and creamy no-bake chocolate mousse cake with layers of buttery cookie crust, velvety chocolate mousse, and glossy chocolate ganache.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs or shortbread cookie crumbs
  • 6 tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, optional for dusting

Instructions

  1. Line an 8×8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
  2. Mix vanilla wafer crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Press into the pan and chill for 15 minutes.
  3. Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave in 20-second intervals until smooth. Cool slightly.
  4. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
  5. Whip 1 1/2 cups heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
  6. Fold melted chocolate into the cream cheese mixture, then gently fold in whipped cream.
  7. Spread mousse over the crust and refrigerate for 4 hours.
  8. For the ganache, pour hot heavy cream over dark chocolate chips. Let sit for 2 minutes, then add butter and stir until smooth.
  9. Pour ganache over the chilled cake and spread evenly. Chill for 1 more hour.
  10. Lift the cake from the pan, slice, and dust with cocoa powder if desired.

Notes

  • Use high-quality chocolate for the best flavor.
  • Chill the cake thoroughly before adding the ganache.
  • Let the ganache cool slightly before pouring to prevent it from melting the mousse.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chocolate mousse cake, Layered chocolate dessert, No bake chocolate cake, Chocolate ganache cake, Easy chocolate dessert, Elegant chocolate cake