Dark Chocolate and Cream Cheese Mousse

Lying here like a lump on the couch, dreaming about the binge fest that is Christmas. Christmas is one of the few times in the year where outright gluttony is encouraged! So needless to say it’s my favourite time of the year. I’ve been looking through my recipe file for quick and easy to prepare desserts and treats to have at the ready over the Christmas period. These Dark Chocolate and Cream Cheese Mousse served in Cosmo glasses are always a winner and can be prepared in 15 minutes. Throw them into the fridge (not literally) for a few hours and then do a ‘here’s some I made earlier’ when the occasion calls. Mini shot glass versions are also great as mini desserts for Christmas parties or little people who might want a taste!

Recipe

Ingredients
For the base
4 digestive biscuits
30g butter (melted)

For the chocolate mousse
3 egg whites
4 drops of lemon juice
55g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids)
20g icing sugar

For the cream cheese mousse
45 ml cream
80g cream cheese
60g icing sugar
1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice

Strawberries to garnish
4 Martini Glasses

Method

1. Crush the biscuits using the base of cup. Melt the butter and pour over the biscuits, stirring to ensure the crumbs are well coated. Spoon equal amounts of biscuit into the base of each glass, pressing down gently to create an even layer.
2. For the chocolate mousse, melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of boiling water. Whisk the egg whites and lemon juice until stiff peaks are formed. Then add the sugar to the eggs whites and continue to mix.
3. Next, add one third of the egg whites to the melted chocolate and beat vigorously to prevent the mixture from going lumpy. Next fold in the remaining egg whites. Spoon equal amounts of the chocolate mixture into the glasses over the biscuit base, levelling off to create clean even lines.
4. For the cream cheese mousse, start off by whipping the cream and setting it aside. In a separate bowl beat together the cream cheese, lemon juice, and icing sugar until smooth and light.
5. Next fold the whipped cream in to the cream cheese mixture. Then spoon equal amounts of the mixture into the Martini glasses on top of the chocolate layer. Place in the fridge for 2-3 hours to set.