Chocolate mousse — the light and airy French dessert

One of France’s best-loved desserts, chocolate mousse is simplicity in its most elegant form: melted chocolate, eggs and cream folded into an airy cream. This classic recipe needs just four ingredients and a little patience, but the result is a creamy dessert that melts in your mouth — perfect for festive dinners or to satisfy a chocolate craving.

Ingredients (for 6 servings):

• 200 g dark chocolate (min. 60% cocoa)
• 4 eggs (whites separated from yolks)
• 60 g sugar
• 200 ml whipping cream
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Preparation steps:

1. Break the chocolate into small pieces and melt it in a bain-marie (or in the microwave in short intervals), stirring constantly. Let it cool slightly — it should be lukewarm, not hot.
2. Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Whisk the yolks with half the sugar until pale and creamy.
3. Add the melted chocolate to the yolks and mix well, then add the vanilla.
4. Whip the cream until it forms soft peaks (not too stiff) and carefully fold it into the chocolate mixture with a spoon.
5. Whisk the egg whites with the pinch of salt and the remaining sugar until they form stiff, glossy peaks.
6. First add 1/3 of the whites to the chocolate mixture and stir vigorously, then fold in the rest with gentle bottom-to-top movements so the air does not escape.
7. Pour the mixture into serving glasses and refrigerate for at least 4 hours — ideally overnight.
8. Serve cold, decorated with chocolate shavings or fresh berries.

Preparation time: 20 minutes (+ at least 4 hours chilling in the refrigerator)

Servings: 6