Description
Impress your Valentine with these rich, creamy, and decadent Layered Chocolate Mousse Brownies. Combining a fudgy brownie base with a light, airy chocolate mousse layer, this elegant dessert offers luxurious textures and complex chocolate flavors. Perfect for gifting or an unforgettable finish to your Valentine’s Day dinner, this recipe is easy to follow and customizable for special dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Base
- 6 oz high-quality dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa), chopped
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup (150g) brown sugar
- 2 fresh eggs
- 3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free option)
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Chocolate Mousse Layer
- 4 oz high-quality dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa), chopped
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream, chilled
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Brownie Base: Melt 6 oz of dark chocolate and 1/2 cup unsalted butter together in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in short bursts in the microwave until smooth and glossy. Stir in 3/4 cup brown sugar until well combined. Whisk in 2 eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Gently fold in the sifted 3/4 cup flour, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, and 1/4 tsp salt, taking care not to overmix to maintain a fudgy texture. Pour the batter into a parchment-lined baking pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes until set. Remove and cool completely before adding mousse.
- Whip the Chocolate Mousse: Melt the remaining 4 oz of dark chocolate and allow it to cool slightly to room temperature. In a chilled bowl, whip 1 cup heavy cream with 1 tsp vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Gently fold in the melted chocolate, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt slowly to maintain a light and airy mousse consistency.
- Assemble the Layers: Evenly spread the chocolate mousse over the fully cooled brownie base using an offset spatula. Smooth the top carefully to create a clean, sharp contrast between the dense brownie and fluffy mousse layers. Chill the assembled dessert in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to set perfectly.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, decorate with your choice of garnishes such as shaved chocolate, fresh berries, dusting of cocoa powder, edible rose petals, or a drizzle of raspberry coulis. Slice the brownies into neat squares to reveal the beautiful layered effect and share with loved ones.
Notes
- Use premium quality dark chocolate for the best flavor.
- Fold ingredients gently to keep the mousse fluffy and the brownies moist.
- Chill thoroughly to ensure distinct layers and easier slicing.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Use room temperature eggs to help the batter mix smoothly.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- The mousse layer can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated until assembly.
- Bring brownies to room temperature before serving to soften mousse without losing texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie (approx. 1/12 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: valentine dessert, chocolate mousse brownies, layered chocolate dessert, romantic dessert, homemade brownie mousse, gluten-free dessert, chocolate mousse, brownies
