This Quick Chocolate Mousse features a thick, airy texture with a rich chocolate flavor and a cheesecake finish. This recipe couldn’t be more simple. We start with heavy whipping cream and add in our melted bittersweet or dark chocolate. Then, we add in our kefir gut-friendly Lifeway Kefir product for a tangy, cheesecake flavor. Lastly, we chill the mousse until thick. I added marshmallow and toffee bits for a campfire vibe, but really this mousse it sinful on its’ own.
Mousse Inspiration
Lifeway Kefir chocolate mousse couldn’t be any easier, I call this campfire toffee mousse. The crunchy Heath bar toffee bits sprinkled over charred marshmallows layered on top of velvety airy mousse will rock your world! My mom was looking for different ways to use kefir other than a smoothie or drink by itself, this is the recipe to use it for. I “over” whip the heavy cream to allow the liquid kefir to swoop in and form soft peaks. It is OK to over whip here, everything will soften when liquid is added for a rich and cheesecake-like flavor chocolate mousse. I typically make a ganache first but this baby whips up in 5 minutes without the torture of waiting for the ganache to cool. I whip the cream, drizzle in the chocolate and then fold in the kefir. The hardest part? Waiting for it to chill, 1-2 hours feels like a lifetime but the stiffer you can get it, the better it holds up. I think after this shot it was more soupy and less mousse-y…but I still licked the bowl and accidently left the house with chocolate mousse all over my face. Good thing I wasn’t trying to impress anyone at Walgreens! But, I really should hold myself to a higher standard than sweat pants and dessert all over my face before I leave. Like mom says, you never know who you will meet! TRUTH! However, they call me SugarFace for a reason….HA! Enjoy with your favorite toppings and don’t be shy to lick the bowl…everyone that stares is really just missing out!
The Whipping Cream
Fair warning, even using hand beaters is a workout! I promise, this will be all worth it. Quick Chocolate Mousse is called Quick Chocolate Mousse for a reason, it comes together in minutes. This recipe is fast because after you beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form, we add in the rest of the ingredients then pop in the fridge for about an hour or so. Best to make this recipe the night before. You will buy heavy whipping cream and use 2 cups. The cream doubles in volume when whipped, use a big enough bowl! For this recipe, I “over” whip the cream a little because we adding liquid the peaks soften. Trust me on this one! Whipping it good, maybe we sing the famous song so you forget about the bicep workout you will be getting!
Melting Chocolate
Usually I melt my chocolate by heating up the heavy cream over a double boiler until the cream is heated through and add chocolate to make a ganache. Whipped ganache is a different way of making a mousse, just takings longer. You can try out the whipped ganache filling with my Chocolate Mousse Cannoli recipe. For this recipe, we whip the heavy cream first and add in a tad bit of kefir to soften the peaks. Lastly, drizzle in the melted chocolate. The melted chocolate only needs about 3 minutes to cool after removing from the microwave. The rest of the kefir is added in to smooth it out as much as you like. Watch the video below to see how quickly this Quick Chocolate Mousse comes together.
I swirl the chocolate around to help it cool before I drizzle into the whipped cream.
The Torched Marshmallows
I love to play with fire, my kitchen torch is one of my favorite tools! After the mousse is set and chilled, I added marshmallows on top and then sprinkled on my favorite Heath bar toffee bits for some texture. I like a dessert that has the perfect balance between soft and crunchy. Anyone else feel this way? Also, the bits add a touch of salt. That small change brings out the chocolate flavor and enhances the airy mousse experience even more! Enjoy with your favorite toppings or devour as is. When I tell you this should come with a warning, you will understand after your first bite!
Why Kefir?
Kefir is a gut-friendly drinkable probiotic. Lifeway Kefir I used in my Fall Healthy Pumpkin Spice Smoothie recipe and it was just like a pumpkin cheesecake without the calories. Have I sold you, yet? I use the plain version a lot because it is so versatile. It has this amazing creamy texture and pairs perfect with the unsweetened whipped cream and bittersweet chocolate in this Quick Chocolate Mousse. Enjoy this mousse as a topping or by itself!
Quick Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup Lifeway Kefir, plain
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
- Toppings of choice
Directions
- In a large bowl, beat heavy whipping cream with hand beaters on hi until stiff peaks form.
- Melt your chocolate in 30 second intervals or until almost melted. Swirl around to cool the chocolate off.
- With your hand beaters on hi, drizzle in chocolate until combined. It is okay to over beat, the kefir will soften the mixture.
- Using a spatula, fold in your kefir until everything is combined and a smooth, thick, velvety texture forms.
- Distribute mousse mixture between 4 ramekins. Place in the refrigerator uncovered until firm. About 2 or so hours minimum. The longer it sits, the better it gets!
- Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
- Good in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days.