Too Soon For Ice Cream? Try Mousse

This chocolate dessert—from a Bergen bakery or your own kitchen—is a perfect treat for any time of the year.
Cheryl De Leon,
4 Mousse

 

Sure, the weather’s getting better, and temperatures are warming up, but it’s not quite ice cream time yet. For those looking to satisfy a sweet tooth (or anyone wanting a treat), chocolate mousse is a perfect dessert to bridge the seasons.

Introduced by French chefs in the 1600s and loved by the world ever since, mousse is a light, airy delight for anyone at any time of day. It’s a great mid-day treat, after-school snack, or final dish of an intimate dinner. Chocolate mousse is so good that we celebrate it on April 3, National Chocolate Mousse Day.

The dessert, of course, is one that many of us don’t regularly keep in our refrigerators. That’s OK, because there are dozens of Bergen County bakeries that offer chocolate mousse, mousse cakes and more. Below are four of our go-to shops for when the craving strikes. Tell us your favorites today by voting for them in the 2024 BERGEN Readers’ Choice Poll!

  • Dulce de Leche, Englewood. The menu at this shop features both breakfast and lunch specials, but the double mousse cake with layers of chocolate and white chocolate mousse is the offering that always catches our eye.
    *55 W. Palisade Ave., Englewood, 201.869.6999
  • Rispoli Pastry Shop, Emerson, Ridgefield. This longtime bakery is known for so many treats (cannoli, lobster tails, cookies, etc.), but their chocolate mousse bars are at the top of our must-try list.
    *Emerson Plaza East, Emerson, 201.265.4009; 824 Broad Ave., Ridgefield, 201.943.6002
  • Pierre & Michel French Bakery, Elmwood Park, Ridgewood. Enjoy an authentic French dessert experience here with a sip of coffee and a slice or two of their decadent mousse cake.
    *95 Broadway, Elmwood Park, 201.300.6580; 38 E. Ridgewood Ave.., Ridgewood, 201.444.8111
  • Sook Pastry, Ridgewood. What to choose from a menu with a wide assortment of goodies? Try The Glen, a cake made with dark chocolate mousse, black currant mousse and chocolate sponge cake.
    *24-26 S. Broad St., Ridgewood, 201.493.2500

Can’t get enough chocolate mousse? This recipe for chocolate mousse tuiles with fresh raspberries is easy—and delicious—to make in your own kitchen. It’s packed with healthy ingredients and antioxidants like coconut milk and dark chocolate, and registered dietitian nutritionist Bess Berger of Teaneck-based Nutrition By Bess says an added ½ cup of berries can make the mousse a powerhouse.

 

Chocolate Mousse Tuiles With Fresh Raspberries

Yields 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 14.5 oz. can coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk
  • ½ cup dark chocolate of choice, chopped
  • 1 tsp. coconut oil
  • 2 Tbs. maple syrup
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • store-bought chocolate cups (e.g. glassine chocolate candy cups)

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, add the coconut cream/milk. Using a hand mixer, beat for about one minute, until smooth and creamy, then set that aside.

Next, in a small bowl, melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil.  Do this in the microwave in two 30-second increments, stirring in between each interval until the chocolate is smooth and creamy. If you don’t use a microwave, simply melt the chocolate and coconut oil over a pan of simmering water.

Pour the chocolate into the bowl with the coconut cream/milk, along with the maple syrup and vanilla.

Use the hand mixer again, and beat until combined well, and the mixture is smooth and creamy, using a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Divide the mixture evenly among 4 chocolate cups. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up to a thick consistency. Top each one with fresh raspberries and enjoy!

Want to make even more mousse at home? Click here for a recipe to make light and dark chocolate mousse.

Categories: Bergen Health & Life