Description
Indulge in the decadent luxury of Nigella Lawson’s Chocolate Mousse Cake. This rich, airy dessert blends fudgy cake with mousse-like texture, offering intense chocolate flavor and elegant presentation. Perfect for special occasions or an everyday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake
- 6 large eggs, separated
- 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar, divided
- 9 oz (250 g) dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids recommended)
- 4 tablespoons (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Additions
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water
- 1 tablespoon liqueur (e.g., Cointreau, Amaretto, or Kahlua)
For Serving
- Whipped cream or crème fraîche
- Cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line the base of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper. - Melt the Chocolate
Melt chocolate and butter together over a double boiler, stirring until smooth. Cool slightly. - Whip Egg Yolks
Beat egg yolks with half the sugar until thick and pale. Mix in melted chocolate, vanilla, and optional additions (coffee or liqueur). - Beat Egg Whites
In a separate bowl, whip egg whites with a pinch of salt until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. - Fold and Combine
Gently fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Fold in the remaining whites, being careful not to deflate the batter. - Bake the Cake
Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30–35 minutes. The top should set, with the center slightly wobbly. Cool in the pan. - Chill and Set
Refrigerate for 2–3 hours or overnight to achieve a mousse-like texture. - Serve and Garnish
Remove from pan, dust with cocoa powder, and serve with whipped cream or crème fraîche.
Notes
- Variations:
- Add finely chopped nuts for texture.
- Incorporate orange zest or cinnamon for a flavor twist.
- Storage:
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze slices for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Serving Suggestions:
- Pair with fresh berries, powdered sugar, or a drizzle of ganache.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: international
Keywords: Chocolate mousse cake Nigella Lawson dessert recipe Gluten-lite chocolate cake Decadent chocolate mousse Elegant chocolate dessert