Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake

Helene

(2)

This Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake is an elegant dessert, perfect for the chocolate lovers. It features a layer of chocolate/hazelnut cake base topped with 3 layers of creamy and soft chocolate mousse: dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate.

triple chocolate mousse cake on a marble cake board

The Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake is a truly decadent chocolate cake and will be a huge hit for any special occasion. If you are looking for simple but stunning desserts, this beautiful cake will tick the box.

The Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe is easier than it might lead to think. The cake itself requires a bit of time as you must wait between each layer to set, but each layer is easy to prepare and takes about 10 minutes each. If you’ve already made an entremets cake, this one will be easy-peasy.

slice of triple chocolate mousse cake on a cake slice server

Why you’ll love this Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake

  • A decadent chocolate cake recipe, intensely flavorful: perfect for chocolate lovers’ cake
  • The texture is amazing: light and soft
  • This mousse cake recipe is on the list of easy showstopper desserts
  • A make-ahead cake: you can split the preparation over several days
  • If you are looking for freezable desserts, you can store this triple chocolate mousse cake in the freezer for up to 1 month
  • You can master this elegant dessert in your own kitchen
  • It’s almost a No-Bake Cake

Equipment needed for this Chocolate Entremets Cake

  • Cake ring: 8 inch (20cm) diameter and minimum height: 3 inch (8cm)
  • Can Pan : 9 inch (23cm), I use an aluminum cake pan
  • Cake collar, also called acetate sheet
  • Cake board
  • Stand mixer or electric mixer with the whisk attachment
triple chocolate mousse cake on a cake board

Note about the ingredients

For best results, use good quality chocolate:

  • Dark chocolate: between 60 to 70% cocoa content (I use 60%)
  • Milk chocolate: 35% cocoa content
  • White Chocolate
  • Heavy cream (= double cream) : 30-36% milk fat
  • Milk: whole milk or 2% milk fat.
  • Gelatine: I use gelatine powder, 200 bloom, Gold strength. Use the same bloom (= strength); otherwise, adapt the quantity. I have a kitchen scale with readabilities of 0.01g to get precise weighing.

If you don’t know how to adapt the gelatine, please check the blackberry tart. In this blogpost, I wrote a paragraph about gelatine and how to adapt it according to the one you have.

How to make this Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake

Here is a summary of each step:

Step 1: Prepare the cake base. It’s an easy cake with no special equipment. Use a cake pan slightly larger than your cake ring.

Step 2: the dark chocolate mousse: it’s simply melted chocolate with milk, and then we add gelatine (previously bloomed). Let it slightly cool for a few minutes. In the meantime, whip the heavy cream. Then, fold the chocolate mixture in whipped cream.

Pour over the cake base and let it set.

Step 3: Prepare the milk chocolate mousse, repeat the same process.

Step 4: Prepare the white chocolate mousse, repeat the same process.

Step 5: Remove from the cake ring and add decoration, feel free to decorate as you wish. For me: chocolate curls.

Full instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

triple chocolate mousse cake on process
triple chocolate mousse cake on process

FAQs 

How to store the Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake?

Store this cake for up to 4 days in the fridge under a cake dome.

Can I make it ahead?

Yes. I recommend starting at least the day before or even 2 days in advance. This triple chocolate mousse cake need 8 hours to set, not to mention 30 minutes between each layer.

You can also split the preparation over several days and let the cake in process in the freezer until ready for the next step.

Or You can freeze the cake for up to 1 month (without chocolate curls for decoration).

Can I leave the cake on display during a party?

No, this cake is a cold dessert, that must be kept in the fridge.

Tips

  • This entremets recipe is composed of different layers that need to be set, so I recommend starting at least 1 or 2 days before you plan to serve it.
  • Don’t try to speed up the process. Each layer requires time to set before processing the next one. The layers will mix if you don’t wait for the chocolate mousse to set.
  • For a professional look, use a cake collar, the side of the mousse cake will be smooth, and it will be so much easier to remove the cake ring. For best results, freeze the cake and remove the cake collar when the cake is still frozen. Then let it thaw in the fridge. However, if you need to carry the cake, I recommend letting the cake collar until the destination.
  • To whip the heavy cream, place the bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. It helps to whip.
  • When placing the cake in the freezer, ensure the place is level.
  • Plan to add chocolate decorations a few minutes before serving the cake. Avoid adding them too long in advance or they might absorb humidity. Not a real issue, just for aesthetic.
  • For a nice cut and slice, pour hot water on the blade of your knife and wipe it off after every slice.
slice of triple chocolate mousse cake on a plate

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Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake

  • Prep time: 50 minutes
  • Cook time: 35 minutes
  • Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Serves: 8

This Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake is an elegant dessert, perfect for the chocolate lovers. It features a layer of chocolate/hazelnut base topped with 3 layers of creamy and soft chocolate mousse: dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate.

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake Base

  • 25 g (0.9 oz) semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 3 eggs
  • 50 g (1/4 cup) caster sugar
  • 30 g (2 tablespoons) runny honey
  • 65 g (1/2 cup) all-purpose flour
  • 40 g (1/2 cup) ground hazelnuts
  • 10 g (1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon) Dutch process cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 60 ml (1/4 cup) heavy cream (=double cream)
  • 30 g (3 tablespoons) vegetable oil

Dark Chocolate Mousse

  • 2 g gelatine powder, 200 Bloom (Gold strength)
  • 12 ml (1 tablespoon) cold water
  • 100 g (3.5oz) Dark Chocolate, 60% cocoa content
  • 80 ml (1/3 cup) milk
  • 150 ml (½ cup + 2 tablespoons) heavy cream (double cream)

Milk Chocolate Mousse

  • 3 g gelatine powder, 200 Bloom (Gold strength)
  • 18 ml (1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon) cold water
  • 115 g (4oz) Milk Chocolate, 35% cocoa content
  • 80 ml (1/3 cup) milk
  • 150 ml (½ cup + 2 tablespoons) heavy cream (double cream)

White Chocolate Mousse

  • 3 g gelatine powder, 200 Bloom (Gold strength)
  • 18 ml (1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon) cold water
  • 145 g (5.1 oz) Milk Chocolate
  • 80 ml (1/3 cup) milk
  • 150 ml (½ cup + 2 tablespoons) heavy cream (double cream)

Decoration

  • chocolate curls

Info

  • recipe for ring cake of 8 inch (20cm) diameter, minimum height: 3in (8cm)

Method

Chocolate Cake Base

  • 1)

    Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F), fan off. Line a 9-inch round cake pan. Make sure to use a cake pan slightly larger than your cake ring. It helps to cut the cake to fit perfectly with no loose on the sides.

  • 2)

    Chop the chocolate finely and place it in a microwave-proof bowl. Microwave for 20 seconds at a time, stirring after each time. Once the chocolate is almost melted, stop microwave and stir the chocolate until it is completely smooth. Set aside.

  • 3)

    In a large bowl, add the eggs, sugar and honey. With a whisk, mix until well combined.

  • 4)

    Over the egg mixture, sift the flour, ground hazelnuts, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Combine until fully incorporated.

  • 5)

    Add the heavy cream, and mix.

  • 6)

    Add the vegetable oil and melted chocolate and stir until fully incorporated

  • 7)

    Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with a few crumbs and the top springs back when touched.

  • 8)

    Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer to a cooling rack. Allow it to cool completely.

  • 9)

    Once the cake is cooled, cut the dome if needed to have an even surface. Next, cut the cake to fit perfectly in your cake ring. Use your cake ring like a cookie cutter.

  • 10)

    Place the cake ring on a cake board / or cake serving plate. Place the chocolate cake base in the cake ring and then line the side with a cake collar. Alternatively, use baking paper, but make sure it goes about 2 inches above the top edge of the pan.

    Proceed to the first layer of dark chocolate mousse.

Dark Chocolate Mousse

  • 1)

    Start to bloom the gelatine: In a small bowl, pour the cold water, sprinkle the gelatine, stir and let it sit for a few minutes until the gelatine absorbs all the liquid.

  • 2)

    Chop finely the dark chocolate. In a heat-proof bowl, add the dark chocolate and the milk. Place the bowl over a double boiler, over low-medium heat, and with a rubber spatula, stir until all the chocolate is melted. Make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the simmering water.

  • 3)

    When the chocolate is fully melted, remove it from the heat, and add the gelatine. Stir until the gelatine is completely dissolved. Set aside.

  • 4)

    In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream until medium-stiff peaks form.

  • 5)

    Add the melted chocolate mixture to the whipped cream. Please ensure the chocolate has cooled before adding it to the whipped cream.

    With a rubber spatula, fold until well combined. You should have a runny consistency.

  • 6)

    Pour the chocolate mousse (still runny at this stage) over the cake base and place it in the freezer for 30 minutes until the layer is set. (Alternatively, place in the fridge for 1h30). Ensure, it’s level in your freezer.

Milk Chocolate Mousse

  • 1)

    Proceed when the dark chocolate mousse cake is set. Repeat the same process with:

    – 115g milk chocolate (4 oz)

    – 3g of Gelatine powder, 200 Bloom

    Note: You need different quantities due to the different cocoa content in each type of chocolate

  • 2)

    Again, let the cake sit for 30 minutes in the freezer until the milk chocolate layer is set before proceeding to the white chocolate mousse.

White Chocolate Mousse

  • 1)

    Proceed when the milk chocolate mousse cake is set. Repeat the same process with:

    – 145g milk chocolate (5.1 oz)

    – 3g of Gelatine powder, 200 Bloom

  • 2)

    Place the cake in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight to set or alternatively freeze the cake.

Decoration

  • 1)

    Gently remove the mousse cake out of the cake ring.

    Pell off the cake colar.

    Decorate with chocolate curls.

Notes

– Store this cake for up to 4 days in the fridge under a cake dome.

– US/UK standard Baking Spoons:  teaspoon: 5ml / tablespoon: 15ml / cup: 240ml

– Don’t try to speed up the process. Each layer requires time to set before processing the next one. The layers will mix if you don’t wait for the chocolate mousse to set.

– For a nice cut and slice, pour hot water on the blade of your knife and wipe it off after every slice.

– Scroll back to read tips and frequently asked questions within the blog post that you might find helpful

 

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4 Comments

  • Jay

    June 11, 2023 at 1:14 pm

    The mousse came out perfect with those ratios – firm, but not rubbery, and still soft enough to practically melt in your mouth. I am 100% making this again in the future, thanks!

    Reply

    1. Helene

      June 13, 2023 at 9:08 am

      Thank you for taking the time to give me your feedback, I truly appreciate it. I’m glad you enjoyed the cake.

      Reply

  • Hanna

    July 11, 2023 at 3:39 am

    If I want to make a double batch, should I just double the amounts, including gelatine? Or will it be too much gelatine then?

    Reply

    1. Helene

      July 11, 2023 at 5:24 am

      Yes, for a double batch, double all the ingredients, including the gelatine. Make sure to measure everything accurately to achieve the perfect texture for your cake.

      I don’t know if you plan to make two cakes or a larger cake with a bigger ring, so adjust the setting time between each layer if the ring size is bigger to ensure each layer sets properly.

      Happy baking.

      Reply

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