This 3-ingredient Shortcut Chocolate Mousse recipe is so good, decadent, and surprisingly easy. It is the perfect dessert to enjoy any day of the week and fancy enough to cap off your dinner party.
So, are you looking for an impressive treat for your next party? Or, how about your Valentine’s Day, Sweetest Day, or New Year’s celebration? This quick chocolate mousse won’t disappoint.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Satisfy your chocolate cravings with this classic, rich, creamy, decadent, and intensely chocolate mousse recipe.
- With just a few ingredients you likely have in your kitchen, this recipe couldn’t be easier to make.
- It’s so velvety smooth and tasty that even the kiddos will love it.
- You can make it a day or two in advance for your party or event.
- Portion control! By serving the mousse in an individual dessert glass or ramekin, you can have an indulgence without over doing it.
INGREDIENTS
With just 5 ingredients, you won’t believe how simple this chocolate mousse recipe is to make.
- Instant Chocolate Pudding
- Cocoa Powder – A bit of extra cocoa powder intensifies the chocolate flavor. It’s optional, but recommended.
- Milk
- Heavy Cream
See the recipe card for quantities.
INSTRUCTIONS
Add the boxed pudding mix and cocoa powder to a large mixing bowl and mix. Then, stir in the milk quickly to combine with the milk.
Next, add the heavy cream to a large mixing bowl, and whip on medium-high for up to 5 minutes until stiff peaks begin to form.
Then, combine the whipped cream with the pudding by folding it in gently.
Finally, add the chocolate mousse to your favorite dessert glass and chill for 2-3 hours.
Hint: Mix the dry ingredients first before stirring in the milk, then gently fold in the whipped cream.
VARIATIONS
From adding fruit or dessert sauce, there are many different ways to enjoy this easy chocolate mousse recipe. Let’s check some out.
- Strawberry Sauce – Strawberry sauce is a delicious and quick way to add a topping to many desserts including mousse.
- Mocha Chocolate Mousse – Add a couple teaspoons of instant espresso powder to your pudding mix for a coffee flavored treat.
- Chopped Nuts – Chopped nuts are a delicious way to add some texture and flavor to your mousse cups.
- Caramel Chocolate Mousse – Adding a drizzle of caramel sauce or dulce de leche is an amazing way to spruce up your chocolate mousse (see our chocolate dulce mousse)
- Peppermint – Adding peppermint extract or some crushed candy canes to the top of your mousse is great around Christmas time.
- Graham Cracker Dessert Topping – It’ll add a crunchy texture and more flavor to your chocolate mousse.
- Fresh Fruit – Berries, mango, pineapple, all work well with this easy chocolate mousse dessert.
EQUIPMENT
For this strawberry mousse recipe, you’ll need either a hand mixer or stand mixer. We recommend this KitchenAid stand mixer or this Hamilton Beach hand mixer.
STORAGE
You can store your mousse in the fridge for up to 3 days as long as you put it in a food storage container or cover it with plastic wrap.
TOP TIPS
- Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks, but be careful not to overwhip as this can lead to a grainy texture.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate pudding to avoid deflating it.
- Place the mousse in the fridge for 2-3 hours. This allows it to chill and set and allows the flavors to meld.
FAQ
Can I use homemade pudding instead of instant pudding mix?
Absolutely! You can use homemade chocolate pudding instead of instant mix. Just make your pudding as usual, let it cool, then fold it in the whipped cream. However, we use instant pudding to keep this recipe simple.
How can I prevent my chocolate pudding mousse from becoming grainy?
To avoid grainy chocolate pudding mousse, make sure your pudding mix is smooth and lump-free before adding the whipped cream. Also, be gentle when mixing to keep the texture light—overmixing can make it grainy.