Chocolate Mousse
So even though this recipe isn’t titled “light” or “healthy” or anything else like that, it essentially is. When we hear that something has been made to be healthier, it is usually instinct to expect the food to be inferior in taste to its full-fat, full-sugar counterpart. That might be the case often times, but not this time!
Regardless of what the ingredient list may or may not contain, this mousse stands it’s own against any other. The fact that it is a lighter dessert is not the focus, though. What’s important is what it is, rather than what it is not. I prefer to look at it like this: this chocolate mousse is rich, creamy, airy, and dark-chocolatey. And, it just happens to be made in a way that makes it a lighter alternative to the classic.
A classic chocolate mousse ingredient list mostly reads like: chocolate, whole eggs, heavy cream, and sugar. In this recipe there is less chocolate (but don’t worry, it is still super chocolatey) and sugar, heavy cream has been essentially replaced with Greek yogurt, and only egg whites are used. The end result is pretty awesome considering how far it strays from a traditional mousse recipe.
You might be wondering why I would bother creating another chocolate mousse recipe to add the millions already on the web. This is a valid question. But, I feel like this amazing classic dessert is often forgotten as one we can so easily enjoy at home. I wanted to create a delicious mousse that hopefully catches your attention through a super simple preparation and a healthier nutrition profile to bring it back to life. Ultimately, I want to give you something approachable, at least semi-nutritious, and really, really satisfying. Because what is life without enjoying the sweet things?
This mousse is more than okay eaten on its own. But, easily step up presentation, texture, and taste with a little chopped chocolate and fresh berries on top. This recipe makes any day or meal that much more special and enjoyable!
Each portion contains about 150 calories as 9 grams carbs, 9 grams fat, and 8 grams protein!
Chocolate Mousse
Makes 4 servings
3 oz. (85g) dark chocolate, chopped (I used 72% cocoa chocolate here)
¾ cup (170g) non-fat Greek yogurt
½ tsp. vanilla extract
pinch salt
2 egg whites
1 tsp. sugar
Put chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and melt in the microwave by heating for 30 second increments, stirring in between. Mix in the yogurt, vanilla, and salt.
In a medium/large bowl, whip the eggs whites. Using some sort of electric whisk is by far the easiest way to do this, but if you just have a normal hand-powered one, that will absolutely work too. Whisk until the whites are frothy and have some body to them (soft peaks). Then sprinkle in the sugar and continue to whisk just a little more to achieve firmer hard peaks (pictured above).
Gently fold the chocolate mixture into the eggs whites until totally combined. The more delicately you mix, the more you will preserve the air bubbles of the whipped eggs whites, leading to a fluffier mousse.
Divide the mousse evenly among 4 glasses/ramekins, or just put in one bigger container and portion later. Press plastic wrap on the surface of the mousse to prevent a tough film from forming on top. Refrigerate until chilled through. Then serve as you like! Mousse can last for about a week in the fridge.