Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Mousse – So Decadent!

Slice of decadent Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Mousse, inspired by French Mousse Cake, with a rich chocolate base and silky mousse topping, perfect for anyone searching Frosting Ideas For Chocolate Cake or a quick Chocolate Mousse Recipe Easy, also shown as a Mini Mousse Cake version.

I have a confession… and no, I’m not even a little ashamed about it:
I am deeply and unapologetically obsessed with chocolate.

I’m not talking about the “I like a piece of dark chocolate after dinner” kinda vibe. I mean the “I will shamelessly eat ganache off a spoon while standing over the sink” level of obsession. So when I set out to create the ultimate Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Mousse, I knew I wasn’t settling for meh. I wanted something dramatic, dreamy, and completely unforgettable.

This isn’t just dessert. It’s a full-blown chocolate experience.

Imagine this:
☕ A moist, rich chocolate cake base infused with espresso.
☁️ A thick layer of airy chocolate mousse that tastes like a velvet cloud.
💧And a glossy ganache finish that melts the second it hits your tongue.

Oh, and FYI? You don’t need pastry chef skills to pull this off. This recipe looks fancy, but it’s surprisingly easy to make. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, holiday, or just because your inner chocoholic demands it, this cake has your back.

Let’s break down how the magic happens.


What Makes This Cake So Special?

To be honest, this one should come with a warning: may cause spontaneous swooning.
It’s part French Mousse Cake, part rich bakery-style chocolate cake, and 100% chocolate lover’s dream.

Each element brings something to the table:

  • The cake is tender, moist, and espresso-kissed.
  • The mousse is light but rich—thanks to whipped cream, dark chocolate, and just the right touch of gelatin.
  • The ganache? Straight-up liquid luxury.

Wanna impress someone? This is your move. Wanna treat yourself? This is also your move.


What You’ll Love About This Recipe

✔️ Chocolate in THREE forms — cake, mousse, and ganache.
✔️ No fancy equipment required — just your regular bowls and whisk.
✔️ Flexible servings — make one big cake or go bite-sized with Mini Mousse Cake versions.
✔️ Make-ahead friendly — it actually tastes better the next day (if it lasts that long).

It even works if you’re avoiding eggs! Yup, there’s an Eggless Chocolate Mousse Cake variation that’s just as luscious.


Behind the Layers: A Quick Breakdown

Let’s break it down real quick — you’ll see how doable this is.

🧁 The Base: Moist Chocolate Cake

The foundation is everything. We start with a cocoa-rich batter enhanced with hot espresso. Trust me, it won’t taste like coffee—it just amps up that deep cocoa flavor. A combo of buttermilk, sour cream, and oil makes the crumb ultra-tender. This cake stays soft for days (not that it’ll last that long).

🍫 The Middle: Chocolate Mousse Magic

This mousse? Game. Changer. We bloom some gelatin, melt rich dark chocolate, and whip up heavy cream with just a touch of sugar. The result is a smooth, fluffy mousse that sets beautifully over the cake. Pro tip: Don’t overmix! Gentle folding is key.

Trying mousse for the first time? No stress — this is a Chocolate Mousse Recipe Easy enough for beginners but impressive enough for your in-laws.

Wanna scale it down? Turn this into a Mini Chocolate Mousse Cake batch and serve them up individually. Cute and classy.

💦 The Finish: Glossy Ganache

A two-ingredient ganache (dark chocolate + heavy cream) gives this cake a polished finish. The trick? Don’t pour it too hot or it’ll melt your mousse. Let it cool for 10 minutes first. Then, gently nudge it toward the edges for that “drippy” effect.

Need more inspo? Scroll down for Frosting Ideas For Chocolate Cake that take things even further (think whipped cream, berries, or even peanut butter drizzle).


Common Mistakes? Let’s Dodge Them.

Even seasoned bakers slip up. Here’s what to avoid:

❌ Pouring mousse over warm cake.
→ Always cool the cake completely first. Otherwise, mousse = soup.

❌ Overmixing the mousse.
→ Fold gently. Think of it like fluffy chocolate clouds—treat them nicely.

❌ Skipping the cake collar.
→ If you don’t have acetate, sub in parchment. You’ll get clean edges that scream “pro baker.”

❌ Hot ganache = mousse meltdown.
→ Let it cool. A warm drizzle is perfect. Steaming hot? Not so much.


Wanna Get Fancy?

Once you master the basics, you can have some real fun with this Moose Cake Recipe (yep, we’re calling it that).

Try a flavored twist:

  • Add orange zest to the mousse for a Chocolate-Orange Mousse Cake.
  • Mix cinnamon into the ganache for a spicy-sweet vibe.
  • Layer in sliced strawberries or raspberry jam between the cake and mousse for a surprise bite.

Serve It Like a Star

This cake is a showstopper on its own, but it pairs so well with a few extras:

  • A shot of espresso or coffee (perfect flavor boost)
  • Sliced citrus or candied orange peel (adds brightness)
  • A scoop of vanilla ice cream (because yes)
  • Toasted almonds or hazelnuts (for crunch)

So, ready to impress yourself—or someone else—with a cake that tastes like it came out of a Parisian café? This Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Mousse is the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

And who knows, after one bite… you might be the one spooning mousse from a bowl at midnight. 😉

Slice of decadent Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Mousse, inspired by French Mousse Cake, with a rich chocolate base and silky mousse topping, perfect for anyone searching Frosting Ideas For Chocolate Cake or a quick Chocolate Mousse Recipe Easy, also shown as a Mini Mousse Cake version.
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Slice of decadent Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Mousse, inspired by French Mousse Cake, with a rich chocolate base and silky mousse topping, perfect for anyone searching Frosting Ideas For Chocolate Cake or a quick Chocolate Mousse Recipe Easy, also shown as a Mini Mousse Cake version.

Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Mousse – So Decadent!


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  • Author: Vivienne Hale
  • Total Time: 7 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 10 slices

Description

If you’re a die-hard chocolate fan (like, spoon-straight-into-the-ganache level), you’re about to fall hard for this ultra-creamy chocolate mousse cake. It’s layered with intense chocolate flavor, silky mousse, and topped with a dreamy ganache that takes the whole thing to “how is this even homemade?” status.


Ingredients

Chocolate Cake Layer:

  • 1 cup (125g) plain flour
  • 6 tbsp (40g) Dutch-process cocoa
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp fine sea salt
  • ¾ cup (150g) white sugar
  • 1 large egg + 1 yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) oil (vegetable or canola)
  • ⅓ cup (80g) sour cream
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) buttermilk
  • ½ cup (120ml) hot brewed espresso or strong coffee

Chocolate Mousse Filling:

  • 7 oz (200g) dark chocolate (around 60% cocoa)
  • 3 tbsp (24g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 oz (120ml) heavy cream (for melting chocolate)
  • 1¾ cups (420ml) heavy cream (for whipping)
  • 2½ tbsp (16g) cocoa powder
  • 6g unflavored gelatin
  • 40g cold water

Ganache Topping:

  • 5 oz (140g) dark chocolate
  • 5 oz (140ml) heavy cream


Instructions

  1. Bake the Cake Base
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment.
    • In a large bowl, whisk eggs, vanilla, sour cream, oil, and buttermilk until smooth. Mix in the sugar.
    • Sift in the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Stir gently until just combined.
    • Slowly stir in the hot espresso – the batter will thin out a bit and get glossy.
    • Pour it into your prepared pan and bake for 22–25 minutes. When a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs, it’s done.
    • Let it cool fully on a wire rack before adding the mousse layer.
  2. Whip Up the Mousse
    • In a small bowl, stir gelatin and water together and let it sit (bloom) for 10 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, melt dark chocolate with the 4 oz cream either in the microwave (short 15-second bursts) or over a double boiler. Let it cool slightly.
    • In another bowl, whip the remaining heavy cream with cocoa, sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
    • Melt the bloomed gelatin in the microwave (about 10 seconds), stir it into the warm chocolate, and mix well.
    • To avoid deflating the cream, mix in a spoonful of the whipped mixture first. Then fold in the rest until smooth and airy.
  3. Assemble the Cake
    • If the cake domed while baking, level it with a serrated knife.
    • Place the cake layer back in the springform pan and line the inside with parchment or acetate for clean edges.
    • Spread the mousse evenly over the cake and smooth the top.
    • Chill for at least 6 hours—overnight is even better.
  4. Ganache Time
    • Combine the chocolate and cream in a heat-safe bowl and microwave for 60 seconds. Let it sit 10 minutes, then stir until silky.
    • If needed, microwave for a few more seconds to thin it out, or cool slightly to thicken.
    • Once the mousse is firm, pour ganache over the top and gently spread to the edges.
    • Chill again for 30 minutes so the ganache sets.
  5. Slice and Serve
    • Run a sharp knife under hot water and dry it before each slice for clean layers.
    • Serve cold and store leftovers covered in the fridge.

Notes

Tips & Tricks

  • Sift the cocoa to prevent dry lumps in your batter or mousse.
  • Be gentle with the mousse — over-mixing can knock out the air.
  • Let everything cool before layering, or you’ll risk a melting mousse disaster.
  • Use a serrated knife and clean it between slices for that bakery-worthy look.

Want to turn this into mini desserts? Use silicone molds or dessert rings for individual mousse cakes!

  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Chilling Time: 6 hours
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Desserts

Nutrition

  • Calories: 485kcal

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