Fudge Mousse Food

THE BEST CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• Whip 1 cup of the heavy cream to soft peaks in a medium bowl (see Cook's Note). Set aside.
• Add the egg, egg yolks, sugar, espresso powder, vanilla extract, salt and 1 tablespoon water to a medium heatproof bowl and whisk to combine. Set the bowl over a medium saucepan of gently simmering water (do not allow the bowl to touch the water). Whisk constantly until the mixture is pale, hot to the touch and has almost doubled in volume, about 4 to 6 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally with a rubber spatula, if necessary. Remove from the heat and continue whisking until cooled, about 2 minutes.
• Put the chopped chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and set over the saucepan of gently simmering water (do not allow the bowl to touch the water). Stir occasionally with a rubber spatula until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and gently stir for about 3 minutes to cool slightly.
• Whisk the egg mixture into the melted chocolate in 3 additions until combined. (The mixture may get very thick.) Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture in 3 additions until it is fully incorporated. It is important that the chocolate mixture is not warm to ensure that it combines smoothly with the whipped cream without seizing up.
• Divide the chocolate mousse among four 4-ounce ramekins and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
• Whip the remaining 3/4 cup cold heavy cream to stiff peaks. Top each chocolate mousse with whipped cream and serve. (For a softer texture, allow the ramekins to sit at room temperature while you whip the cream.)

FUDGE MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, beat milk and pudding mix on low speed for 2 minutes.
• Stir in fudge topping.
• Fold in whipped topping until blended.
• Pour into dessert dishes.
• Chill until serving time.

3-LAYER FUDGE CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE FILLING

Steps:

• Make cake:
• 1- Preheat oven to 325 °F.
• 2- Butter and flour three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 ½-inch-high sides.
• 3- Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in small bowl to blend.
• 4- Place cocoa in medium bowl; whisk in 1 2/3 cups boiling water. Cool cocoa mixture to room temperature, whisking occasionally.
• 5- Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar, then vanilla. Beat in eggs 1 at a time.
• 6- At low speed, beat in flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with cocoa mixture in 2 additions.
• 7- Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes. Cut around cakes to loosen. Turn out onto racks/plates lined w/ wax paper so they don't stick. Cool completely.
• Make peppermint mousse:
• 1- Combine white chocolate, ¾ cup whipping cream, and sour cream in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over low heat just until chocolate is melted and smooth.
• 2- Transfer white chocolate mixture to large bowl; cool to barely lukewarm, whisking occasionally, about 20 minutes.
• 3- Mix in candies.
• 4- Beat remaining 1 cup cream in medium bowl to soft peaks. Fold cream into barely lukewarm white chocolate mixture in 4 additions.
• 5- Chill mousse until beginning to set, about 2 hours.
• 6- Place 1 cake layer on cardboard round or cake tray. Spread half of mousse over top of cake. Top with second cake layer, remaining mousse, and third cake layer. Chill assembled cake until mousse is cold & set, about 3 hours (can be made a day ahead).
• Make ganache:
• 1- Bring cream to simmer in heavy large saucepan.
• 2- Remove from heat. Add semisweet chocolate; whisk until melted & smooth.
• 3- Cool ganache until thick but still pourable, about 45 minutes.
• 4- Place cake on rack or baking sheet. Pour ganache over cake, spreading with metal spatula to cover sides evenly.
• 5- Chill cake till ganache sets, at least 30 minutes & up to 1 day.