Chocolate Mousse with Fresh Strawberries

This Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries is the most perfect dessert to serve to your Valentine. Working with chocolate can be intimidating, it often requires heat and can be very delicate. However, this recipe is entirely fool proof. By whipping the chocolate together with the cream cheese, you instantly have a stable recipe that won’t veer off course. It comes together in just a few steps and tastes incredible

Sometimes I put my kids in charge of making this since it doesn’t require any time on the stovetop or the oven. What’s most important is that you whip everything until it’s completely smooth. You can’t really overdo it in any direction. The key is getting it nice and soft without a single bump. To give it an extra fancy touch, scoop it into a piping bag with a decorative tip and pipe it into a champagne coup or fancy bowl, then top with a pretty strawberry.

Once the mousse is prepared it needs to chill for a little bit in the fridge in order to keep its shape. I like to keep it chilled until right before I’m ready to serve it. I think it tastes better this way. The chocolate is so rich that a little bit goes a long way. If you’re serving this at a dinner party you might want to serve this in espresso cups or smaller vessels and slice the strawberries on top. When you’re serving it at home, however, feel free to put it in bigger bowls. If your family is anything like mine, they will scoop it right up and eat it by the big spoonful.

I hope this recipe helps you when you make your Valentine’s menu this year. If you are putting together a big spread you can easily double or triple this recipe. Then, to really go over the top, serve it in chocolate cups!

Chocolate Mousse Cups with Strawberries

This is a delicious chocolate recipe that works well for fun occasions like Valentine’s Day and birthday parties. Served in a pretty bowl and dressed up with strawberries makes it an attractive end to any celebratory meal.

Makes 4 cups

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 12 fresh strawberries

Instructions:

1. Whip the cream cheese, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until smooth.

2. Spoon mousse into small glasses or bowls. To make it extra fancy, use a frosting piping bag with a decorative tip.

3. Top each bowl of mousse with a fresh strawberry.

4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Nikki Glekas is the owner of Nikki Glekas Events, a full-service catering and events company located in Stamford, CT.. To discuss further please contact team@nikkiglekascollective.com or call 203.658.8659.