This stunning Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake has a moist, fudgy brownie base, three layers of light mousse—chocolate, raspberry, and vanilla, and then a glossy topping of chocolate and a tangle of raspberries and chocolate curls on top. Perfect for any occasion!
Stunning Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake
I don’t go around calling things “food porn” on a regular basis, so instead, can we just agree that this cake is, for lack of a better term, a sexy beast? It has a moist, fudgy brownie base, three layers of light mousse—chocolate, raspberry, and vanilla, and then a glossy topping of chocolate and a tangle of raspberries and chocolate curls on top. Oh, behave!
I was so obsessed with the honey mousse I made for these Honey Pots with Honey Mousse, I couldn’t stop thinking of ways to use that quick and easy mousse in other recipes. It turns out it’s easy to adapt that mousse for other flavors, so I made a few tweaks and soon found myself with chocolate, raspberry, and vanilla bean variations. You’ll love it—no separating eggs, no whipping whites or yolks, and no stress.
What kind of pan should I use?
You need a 9-inch pan with sides at least 3-inches tall, and the ability to remove the bottom. Either a cake pan with a removeable bottom or a 9″ springform pan will work.
The mousse is firm enough to hold up in layers and cut cleanly when it’s refrigerated, but as it comes to room temperature, it develops the most delicious silky, pillowy texture. It’s the perfect contrast to the chewy, fudgy brownie base, and the juicy berries embedded in the raspberry layer!
How to unmold a mousse cake so it has neat, clean edges:
I used acetate cake collars to line the cake pan and get clean lines when unmolding the mousse. They’re inexpensive and very handy for lots of kitchen projects, but if you don’t have them, you can use waxed paper or parchment paper instead. The cake will still unmold, but the outside might not be as neat and clean.
Of course I couldn’t let my tart leave the house naked, so it’s covered in a glossy chocolate ganache that drips just a bit down the sides. You could also cover the sides completely in ganache, so the four layers are a fun surprise when you cut the cake open. I can never resist showing off, so I like to put them on display, but perhaps you are less of a braggart than I am.
Finish the tart with a big pile of fresh raspberries and chocolate shavings. The gold decoration (or “doodad,” as we call them in the biz) was made using this Wilton chocolate mold and then dry-brushing it with gold luster dust. Totally unnecessary, totally cute. (That should be the tagline of my site, yes?)
Enjoy!
💡FAQs
If you can’t find quality fresh raspberries, you can use frozen berries to make the puree. Don’t use frozen berries in the mousse layer or to decorate on top. They won’t look pretty and will change the texture of the mousse.
Another solution would be to substitute fresh strawberries in place of raspberries.
The most common reason whipped cream collapses is because it has been overworked (whipped for too long). Perfectly whipped cream should have the texture of shaving cream — thick, with a lot of body. It should hold peaks but still have some softness to it. Stop whipping the cream just before stiff peaks start to form. This will give you a little more wiggle room when you start folding the whipped cream into the mousse.
Most likely, the chocolate is a little too cool when you start adding the whipped cream. When the chocolate comes in contact with the cream, it’s beginning to set prematurely. I recommend mixing them together when the chocolate is a bit warmer. The chocolate should be about body temperature, or slightly above, to mix properly with the cream. It’s definitely a balancing act, because you don’t want the chocolate to be too hot and melt the cream.
You can make your cake 2-3 days in advance. Wrap it well and store it in the fridge. Thankfully the mousse layers won’t collapse since they are made with gelatin. It really helps with stability and longevity. However, with time the mousse will begin to dry out which eventually creates a less appetizing texture.
You can also freeze the cake. Make it several days in advance and freeze it. You’ll need to wrap it well, or cover the pan with a lid, so that it doesn’t dry out. Thaw it overnight in the fridge the day before you plan to eat it.
Whether you store it in the fridge or freezer, I also recommend waiting to dress it with the ganache, whipped cream, and truffles until the day you plan to eat it. Happy Baking!
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Ingredients
For the Brownie Layer:
- 3.33 oz all-purpose flour, (3/4 cup)
- 2 oz unsweetened cocoa powder, (2/3 cup)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 4 oz unsalted butter
- 7.75 oz granulated sugar, (1 cup +2 tbsp)
- 2 large eggs, large, at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Mousse:
- 9 oz semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 3/4 cups heavy cream, divided use
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
- 2 TBSP water
For the Raspberry Mousse:
- 1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries, see Note below
- 9 oz white chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, divided use
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
- 2 TBSP water
- pink gel food coloring, optional
For the Vanilla Mousse:
- 9 oz white chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, divided use
- 4 TBSP honey
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
- 2 TBSP water
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste, can substitute vanilla extract
To Finish:
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 4 oz heavy cream
- 1 pint fresh raspberries, see Note below
- Chocolate curls , or other decorations
Instructions
To Make the Brownie Layer:
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment and spray well with nonstick cooking spray. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder in a small bowl. Set aside for now.
- Cube the butter and place it in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally as the butter melts. Add the sugar and stir it into the melted butter until combined.
- Remove the pan from the heat, and let it cool to lukewarm. Once it has cooled, add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well between each addition. The mixture will start out grainy, but as you add the eggs, it will become shiny and smooth. Whisk the vanilla in. Finally, add the dry ingredients, and stir them in with a spatula.
- Scrape the brownie batter into the prepared pan, and bake it for 22-24 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Cool the brownie layer completely before proceeding.
To Make the Mousse Layers:
- Prepare your pan. You need a 9-inch pan with sides at least 3 inches tall, and the ability to remove the bottom. Either a cake pan with a removeable bottom or a 9" springform will work. Line the inner wall with an acetate cake collar or strip of aluminum foil, parchment paper, or waxed paper. Make sure the acetate collar or other lining is long enough so that it overlaps itself. Also, if you are using foil/parchment/waxed paper, make sure you cut the strip tall enough to extend at least an inch over the pan’s sides, since the cake is about 4 inches tall.
- Place a cake cardboard in the bottom of the pan, then carefully place the baked brownie on top of the cardboard.
- Prepare the chocolate mousse layer: combine the chocolate, 3/4 cup of cream, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring every 30 seconds, until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour it into a large bowl, and let it cool to slightly above room temperature (about 95-100 degrees C), stirring occasionally.
- While you wait for the chocolate mixture to cool, prepare the gelatin. Whisk together the gelatin and the cold water in a small bowl, and set it aside to let the gelatin absorb the water. When the chocolate is sufficiently cooled, microwave the bowl of gelatin for 15 seconds, until it is melted. Then whisk the melted gelatin and chocolate together.
- Whip the remaining 1 cup heavy whipping cream to just before firm peaks form (see FAQ for more tips). Fold half of the whipped cream into the warm chocolate. Once it’s incorporated, gently fold in the remaining whipped cream. Scrape the mousse on top of the brownie, and spread it into an even layer. Refrigerate the cake for 25 minutes, until the mouse has started to set and is firm enough that a second layer can be added.
- Prepare the raspberry mousse layer: make a quick puree by blending 1/2 cup fresh raspberries in a blender or food processor. Pour them through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds, and measure out 1/4 cup raspberry puree. Extra puree can be saved and used for other purposes.
- Combine the white chocolate, raspberry puree, 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Continue to make the raspberry layer the same way you made the chocolate layer, by melting and cooling the chocolate mixture to about 95-100 degrees C, whisking in melted gelatin, and folding in whipped cream. Add a few drops of pink food coloring to boost the pink color, if desired. At the very end, stir in the remaining 1 cup of fresh raspberries and pour the mousse over the chocolate mousse layer. Spread it into an even layer, and refrigerate again for about 25 minutes.
- Prepare the vanilla bean layer: combine the white chocolate, 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, honey, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Continue to make this layer the same way you made the previous two layers by allowing the chocolate mixture to cool, whisking in the gelatin, and folding in the whipped cream. After completing those steps, stir in the vanilla bean paste and pour the vanilla mousse over the raspberry mousse layer. Refrigerate to set the mousse layers very well, at least 4 hours or overnight.
- To finish the cake: push the bottom out from the pan, or unhinge the sides, and unwrap the acetate strip. Transfer the cake to your serving platter. Make a quick chocolate ganache by putting the chopped chocolate in a small bowl and heating the cream to a simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and whisk gently until the chocolate melts and you have a smooth, shiny mixture.
- Pour the ganache over the top of the cake, and use a spatula to nudge it right to the edge and over in evenly spaced drizzles. Don’t worry if the top is not smooth—it will be covered up! Add the fresh raspberries and chocolate curls on top of the cake. Refrigerate to set the ganache.
- For the cleanest slices, cut the cake when it is well chilled. Use a large sharp knife, and wash it frequently between cuts. For the best taste and texture, allow the cake slices to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Store Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake, well-wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Recipe Notes
Measuring Tips
Our recipes are developed using weight measurements, and we highly recommend using a kitchen scale for baking whenever possible. However, if you prefer to use cups, volume measurements are provided as well. PLEASE NOTE: the adage “8 oz = 1 cup” is NOT true when speaking about weight, so don’t be concerned if the measurements don’t fit this formula.
Want to learn more about baking measurements and conversion?
Nutrition
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Also, my raspberry layer curdled. But that was totally my fault. I was too impatient and didn’t wait for the chocolate to cool enough before mixing in the cream. So that layer was a redo. Ha.
I’m a little late to the party but I figured I’d ask and see if I got an answer anyway. How tall does the springform pan have to be to fit all the layers?
Thanks! Sarah
Hi Sarah! I’d say a 3-inch springform would work well. If you use 3 or 4-inch acetate cake strips, the pan can be even shorter because the strips will hold everything together nicely. If you’re using waxed paper or parchment then they’re not as strong and I wouldn’t recommend using them with a shorter pan.
Thanks so much for getting back to me! Sounds good! Is there anywhere to buy the cake strips besides online?
If you have a cake or culinary supply store near you, they can often be found there. I actually usually buy mine from a local cake/candy supply store!
Great suggestion! I found one! I’m going to make this for a party Sunday night but I’ll have to make it Saturday night because I won’t have time Sunday day. I know it said let it set overnight but will it be ok in the refrigerator for a full 24 hours uncovered or should I try and put some saran wrap over it or something?
Hi Sarah, So sorry I didn’t reply to this before. I’ve been travelling a lot and haven’t spent enough time on my computer. I hope it worked out well and that the people at the party enjoyed it! 🙂
Hello!
Lovely recipe! Planned on following to a tee for Christmas dinnet, but I just received word that a new mommy to be is looking forward to cheesecake. Would you say that adding some cream cheese into the raspberry mousse layer would not turn out so well? Or perhaps recommend adding some into each mousse layer? Or not at all?
Your advice is highly appreciated!
Hi Claudia! I haven’t tried it that way. My complete guess is that it would be okay as long as you kept it chilled, since the cream cheese holds it shape pretty well when cool. If you wanted to incorporate it I’d recommend beating it into the whipped cream portion of the mousse, as described in this blog post:
https://www.sugarhero.com/red-velvet-icebox-cakes/
Let me know how it turns out for you!
So ive read through almost ALL the comments..I didnt wanna re ask a question thats been answered several times…Im actually really surprised that no one asked this….Where the crap do you find Vanilla Bean Paste?? I saw that people substituted it with Vanilla Extract…Usually I would do that but I am not making a trial run cake so I just wanna use the exact Ingredients..
Hello Elisabeth!
I just allready meet to you and i have to say that it was a great discover because, i love your blog and your recipes.
This recipe it`s marvellous so it is just on my favourites recipes. Thanks for it!
P.D. sorry if my english is not so correcta;D but i`m following to you fron Canary Island (Spain)
Thank you so much, Yasmina! I so appreciate the sweet words, and I’m glad you like the recipe. And your English is fantastic!
how many persons is this cake for? 🙂
Hi Amalie! It depends on how large your servings are, but in general I would say between 12 (large slices!) and 16 or 18 (smaller slices).
This is so gorgeous! I am on a search for a strawberry mousse that will hold up well in a layer cake. I usually torte my cakes and so there will be 3 layers of mousse per tier. Being a wedding cake I want it to look beautiful as it’s being sliced and served. Will it hold up at room temperature? Thanks!
Amazing looking cake. Made it last night and it looks good. However I think your ganache recipe is a little off. It looks like chocolate milk. I am thinking the 2-1 cream to chocolate ratio is off. Or there is always the more likely possibility that I made a mistake somewhere.
Thanks Matt! Sorry to hear the ganache recipe didn’t work out for you. I doubt you did anything wrong, my guess is that it’s just a difference in the chocolates we used; perhaps mine had a higher percentage of cocoa solids which caused it to be thicker, or maybe I poured it when it was much cooler. Regardless, I think you’re right in that the recipe could be tweaked to make it more foolproof for everyone, so I’ve made a switch and recommend if you try it again to do closer to a 1:1 ratio to make sure the ganache works out. 🙂 Thanks for the feedback!
I found you on a pinterest link. This was a fantastic dessert even though mine was not as gorgeous. The taste was to die for. Thanks much
Thanks, Nicole! I’m so glad to hear that it worked out for you!
This is amazing!! 😀 I made it and it actually turned out like yours and I’m so happy!! 😀 it is soo nice and it was a valentines present for my parents 😛
Lisa, that is awesome! Thanks so much for letting me know, and I’m glad that it worked so well. Hope you guys had an amazing Valentine’s Day!