This elegant white chocolate mousse is the ideal decadent dessert for a light summer dinner. It is buttery and sweet, with strong notes of vanilla and a silky smooth texture, making it nearly impossible to put down. It’s also a busy cook’s dream recipe, as it comes together quickly and with only a handful of ingredients, all for a deliciously impressive result.
White chocolate mousse is one of those desserts that looks and tastes way fancier than the prep requires. That makes it a desirable go-to recipe for nearly every occasion. Whether feeding the family at home, entertaining guests or traveling with a dessert dish to a summer potluck or supper club outing.
White chocolate mousse is the ideal dessert when only a rich and sweet treat will do. Made from at least 20% cocoa butter and without the cocoa solids, the resulting flavor is intensely buttery and sweet. Unlike milk or dark chocolate, white chocolate has no caffeine, making it even more appealing as an evening treat or for those who are caffeine-sensitive.
You can also balance out the richness of this white chocolate mousse with all sorts of mix-ins and toppings. In summer, we love fresh, tart raspberries and juicy blueberries. Fresh mint, in plentiful supply during the summer garden season, also pairs well. For a holiday twist, crushed peppermint makes for a festive presentation.
Ingredients for White Chocolate Mousse
- White baking chocolate: Opt for the highest quality white baking chocolate you can find. Be certain you read the ingredient list and only choose white baking chocolate with 20% or more cocoa butter. To be FDA-approved as white chocolate, the brand you purchase should also be made from at least 14% milk solids and no more than 55% sugar.
- Heavy whipping cream: Heavy whipping cream aerates the mousse and gives it that distinct creaminess. When you whip into stiff peaks, you are creating air bubbles that help give the mousse volume and texture.
- Confectioners’ sugar: Versus granulated sugar, which can lead to a grainy mouth feel, the velvety soft texture of confectioners’ sugar makes it a smarter sweetener of choice.
- Vanilla extract: This flavor enhancer brings out the natural vanilla notes in white chocolate, and adds depth and complexity to the mousse.
- Mixed fresh berries: While optional, the addition of mixed fresh berries creates a lovely and light contrast to the richness of this White Chocolate Mousse. That just means it’s easier to eat even more, right?
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the mousse base
In a small heavy saucepan, combine chocolate and 2/3 cup cream. Cook and stir the mixture over medium-low heat until smooth. Transfer it to a large bowl and cool to room temperature.
Step 2: Whip the heavy cream
In a small bowl, beat the remaining cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Beat the mixture until soft peaks form.
Step 3: Fold heavy cream into chocolate mixture
Fold 1/4 cup whipped cream into the chocolate mixture, then fold in the remaining whipped cream.
Step 4: Spoon into serving dish(es) and chill.
Refrigerate, covered, for at least two hours. If desired, garnish with berries.
White Chocolate Mousse Variations
- Make a layer cake: The rich flavor profile of this white chocolate mousse pairs well with vanilla or butter cake. This combination balances the creamy mousse with the lightness and fluffiness of cake, making every bite a treat.
- Create mousse-filled pastries: The options are plentiful here. From eclairs to cream puffs to profiteroles, you can serve this white chocolate mousse as the delightful surprise filling in all sorts of pastries.
How to Store White Chocolate Mousse
Store your white chocolate mousse in the fridge in an airtight container to keep it from drying out. You can also portion the mousse into single-serve jars or dessert dishes and cover them tightly with plastic wrap.
Can you make white chocolate mousse ahead of time?
You can easily make white chocolate mousse ahead of time, but no earlier than the day before you plan to serve it.
It can be a time saver to make this recipe the evening before, as the mousse must chill for at least two hours but can also be left overnight.
White Chocolate Mousse Tips
How long can mousse stay out of the fridge?
Once prepared, mousse should be refrigerated within an hour. After it fully chills, set it out to serve and safely leave it out for three hours. It’s important to note that this recommendation is a guideline. Take factors into consideration, like the space being indoors or outdoors, air flow and the temperature of the space.
What are the three basic elements of a mousse?
Mousse, which translates to “foam”, is characterized by its light and airy texture. This comes from three key components, a dairy (or vegan) base, a stabilizer and aeration. In this recipe, the white chocolate helps form the base, the confectioners’ sugar acts as a stabilizer and the whipping cream provides aeration.
Is white chocolate actually chocolate?
Yes, despite its ivory color (due to the absence of cocoa solids), versus the brownish hue of milk and dark chocolate, white chocolate is technically chocolate. It is made from the same cocoa beans as milk and dark chocolate.
