Chocolate Mousse Cake Filling: Simple Recipe from Scratch - Chelsweets (2024)

This chocolate mousse cake filling is fluffy, delicious, and perfectly sweet. It’s the ultimate filling for any dessert, from cakes to cupcakes!

At its core it’s chocolate whipped cream that’s stabilized with melted and cooled dark chocolate. This gives it a light as air texture that’s full of chocolate flavor.

How to Make This Chocolate Mousse Cake Filling

To make sure your chocolate mousse filling turns out as amazing as possible, let’s walk through each step together! I’ve also included a video tutorial of the process below.

Step 1: Melt the Chocolate & Make Chocolate Mixture

Melt the chocolate chips by placing them in a medium-sized, heat-proof bowl.

Heat in 20-30 second increments in the microwave, stirring after each increment until the chocolate completely melted and smooth.

If you don’t have a microwave, you can also use a double boiler.

In a small bowl, whisk together the hot water and cocoa powder.

Pour into the melted chocolate and whisk together until smooth. The mixture should be somewhat thick. Set aside.

Step 2: Whip Up the Whipped Cream

Add the heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of fine salt in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fit with a whisk attachment.

Mix on medium-high speed until the whipped cream starts to gather in the whisk attachment and you can see texture around the edges of the bowl (see photo below).

At this stage the whipped cream should be thick and able to keep its shape. This usually takes about 2 1/2 to 3 minutes in my stand mixer.

Step 3: Fold in the Chocolate Mixture

Gently fold the chocolate mixture into the whipped cream using a rubber spatula.

Use the spatula to swoop around the sides of the bowl and pull through the center like I show in the video of this recipe.

Be careful not to over-mix the mousse, or it will become deflated and lose its structure.

Be careful not to over-mix the mousse, or it will become deflated and lose its structure. Cover the mousse with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Substitutions & Swaps in This Chocolate Mousse Recipe

Some swaps and substitutions that can be made in this recipe include:

• Dark Chocolate – You can use dark chocolate chips, baking chocolate, or good-quality chocolate bars to melt. Alternatively, you can also use milk or semi-sweet chocolate if you have a strong preference.
• Dark Cocoa Powder – If you can’t find dark cocoa powder or don’t have any on hand, you can use regular unsweetened baking cocoa.
• Heavy Cream– Heaving cream or heavy whipping cream can be used. To make dairy free and vegan chocolate mousse cake filling use coconut cream.
• Powdered Sugar – You need a fine sugar like powdered sugar to help sweeten the whipped cream and give it a smooth consistency. I don’t recommend using granulated sugar or other types of sugar.

What Can I Make with This Chocolate Mousse Filling?

This delicious dark chocolate mousse can be enjoyed with all kinds of desserts!

I love to use it to fill layer cakes, but it would also be a delicious filling with cupcakes or even ice cream cakes.

It also can be enjoyed by itself. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and some chocolate shavings and you have a dessert in and of itself!

Tips for Making the Best Chocolate Mousse Cake Filling

• When making the chocolate mousse, chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer. It makes it easier and quicker to whip up the whipped cream for the mousse.
• Heat the chocolate in short intervals, stirring between. This will prevent it from overheating and seizing up.
• Keep an eye on your mixer as you whip up the whipped cream! If you over-mix it, it will turn into butter.
• Use good quality chocolate! It has a huge impact on the flavor of this filling.
• Keep this chocolate mousse cake filling cold. It can lose its shape and structure if it gets too warm.

Making This Chocolate Mousse Cake Filling in Advance & Storage Tips

Make this chocolate mousse up to 2 days in advance! Store it in the fridge in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.

Once a cake or cupcakes have been filled with this filling, keep them refrigerated.

Let Me Know What You Think

If you try this chocolate mousse cake filling recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a rating below and a comment to let me know your thoughts.

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