Chocolate Mousse Brownies

Do you dream of a dessert that combines the dense texture of brownies with the light, airy feel of mousse? Look no further! Our Chocolate Mousse Brownies are a heavenly blend of rich, chocolaty goodness that melts in your mouth. This layered delight is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family gathering, a romantic dinner, or just a treat for yourself. Let’s dive into the recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Brownie Layer:

• 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter (for greasing)
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 8 ounces unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/4 cups sifted cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup sifted flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Chocolate Mousse:

• 10 ounces finely chopped milk chocolate
• 2 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream
• 7 grams gelatin
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions:

Preparing the Brownie Base:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. Line a 13×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, then butter the paper to ensure easy release of the brownies later.
3. In a mixing bowl fitted with a wire whisk attachment, beat the eggs until fluffy and light yellow. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until well combined.
4. Slowly blend in the melted butter, then add the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, flour, and kosher salt. Mix until you have a smooth, velvety batter.
5. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs attached.
7. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack.

Creating the Chocolate Mousse:

1. Place the chopped milk chocolate in a heatproof bowl and melt over a pot of simmering water, ensuring the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl. Once melted, remove from heat and set aside.
2. Sprinkle gelatin over the water in a small dish and let it sit for about 10 minutes to bloom.
3. Heat 1/2 cup of the whipping cream in a small saucepan over medium heat just until it begins to simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved.
4. Gradually whisk half of the gelatin-cream mixture into the melted chocolate to avoid lumps, then add the remainder and mix until completely smooth.
5. In a separate bowl, whip the remaining 2 cups of whipping cream to soft peaks.
6. Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until no streaks remain.
7. Pour the mousse over the cooled brownie layer, smoothing the top with a spatula.
8. Refrigerate the dessert overnight to set the mousse.

To Serve:

• Lift the brownies out of the pan using the edges of the parchment paper as handles. Dust the top with cocoa powder, and cut into bars.

Nutritional Information:

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Calories: 612 kcal per serving
• Servings: 12 brownies

These Chocolate Mousse Brownies are not just a treat to your taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. Perfectly balanced in flavors and textures, they are sure to be the highlight of your dessert table. Enjoy the process of making them and even more, the joy of devouring them!