Luscious Orange and Chocolate Mousse
Orange and chocolate are one of those perfect combinations…like wine and cheese, or pears and cheese, lemon and chicken…Chocolate *obviously* is fantastic on it’s own, but man, when you add that extra little zing of orange, it just elevates it to new levels. As the site’s one year anniversary approached, I wondered what would be the perfect recipe to celebrate with? I toyed with a drink recipe, cakes, some really decadent main…nothing really jumped out at me. After the site crash last week (which still is not fully resolved, btw…I still have to edit a gazillion posts wraught with Â’s and gobbledy gook. 
), I was rather uninspired…I huddled around my bowls of soup and or plates of mashed potatoes like someone was going to take them away. What can I say…soup and mashed potatoes are comforting to the heart as well as the tummy. lol Finally I decided that I would do a chocolate mousse. But, I thought, it’s got to be the best damned mousse ever. I’ve got to add some orange in there, and some booze! :lol: The last mousse recipe I tried was excellent, though a bit too involved for everyday. This recipe, folks is easy enough for a weekday (it only takes about 10 minutes to make), and you’ll have enough to last for at least a few days of delicious desserts—more if you freeze some into mousse pops. And!? Since this particular recipe has booze in it? It’s alllllll for you. The kids will have to sit this one out. (You *can* omit the Cointreau for the kids of course, and just up the water a tad, but it’s more fun this way. 
) This is grown up mousse. Mom and Dad mousse. Perfect mousse. See? Wanna bite?
I perused the internet to find a recipe that was simple and quick, yet used quality ingredients, and found the perfect starting point posted by Debra47 at Group Recipes. I adapted her recipe to make the one I had in my mind. If you like chocolate and you like oranges? You are going to love this, guys. This is what I have left:
First of all, the ingredients:
Ingredients:
6 ounces (150 grams) Lindt Dark chocolate infused with orange essence and orange zest (or a high quality dark chocolate and a bit of orange essence and orange zest)
3 eggs, separated
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons Cointreau or Grand Marnier
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup demerara sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preparation:
Break up the chocolate bar and place in a microwave safe bowl.
Melt chocolate for about 20-30 seconds (watch this carefully, you don’t want to burn it).
Add egg yolks and beat to combine.
Add water and Cointreau and beat to combine.
Set aside.
Beat egg whites and salt on high speed until soft peaks form.
Add sugar and cinnamon and beat to combine.
Fold chocolate mixture into egg white mixture.
Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
Serve with freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Mousse de Chocolate y Naranja en español:
Ingredientes:
150 gramos de chocolate Lindt de Naranja
3 huevos, separados
2 cucharadas agua
2 cucharadas Cointreau o Gran Marnier
pizca de sal
6 cucharadas azúcar demerara (azúcar moreno)
1 cucharadita de canela molida
Elaboración:
En un bol apto para el microondas, derretir el chocolate–ten cuidado a no quemarlo!
Añadir las yemas y batir hasta que estén incorporadas.
Añadir el agua y el Cointreau y mezclar bien.
Batir las claras con la sal a punto de nieve.
Añadir el azúcar y la canela y batir hasta que la mezcla esté homogénea.
Añadir el chocolate, mezclando con cuidado.
Dejar en la nevera durante varias horas, o de un día para otro.
Servir con nata montada y un pizquito de canela.
great touch on the cointreau! that totally makes it. i’m not the biggest fan of orange and chocolate but that looks like heaven. mmmmm.
Comment by diva — May 7, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
I have one complaint…the glasses are too small! lol
It’s lunch time here…chocolate anyone?
Comment by Peter — May 7, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
I love your site. I was drawn by the chocolate orange mousse…but stayed for more!
I would also love to be entered into your draw. The book looks beautiful!
Comment by heather — May 7, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
That mousse truly looks decadent! I’m drooling right now since I am a certified chocoholic!
ps… I’d love to be entered in your cookbook giveway, too!
Comment by patsyk — May 7, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
Chocolate and orange…what a lovely combo! And who doesn’t like a little booze in their chocolate mousse!
Comment by My Sweet & Saucy — May 7, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
I’ll have to pass this recipe on to my sister one of the few things she can make is chocolate mousse. I’m obviously the baker in the family.
Comment by Hallie — May 7, 2008 @ 6:44 pm
I agree that chocolate is great on its own, Nikki, and it’s great with orange too!
This dessert looks fresh and delicious.
Comment by Patricia Scarpin — May 7, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
love the combo….and would love the book as well.
jack
Comment by jack fischer — May 7, 2008 @ 8:09 pm
Chocolate and orange are two of my absolute favorites, cg! Thanks for making this for me. What? I have to share???
Comment by elle — May 7, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
That looks wonderful! I love mousse, and it’s the only dessert my Dad makes on his own, he’d like this one too.
Comment by brilynn — May 8, 2008 @ 12:01 am
I’ll take a bite of that Nikki. Chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Bellini Valli — May 8, 2008 @ 12:20 am
That looks amazing and with hubby’s birthday right around the corner this might be the gift I am looking for!
Comment by Judy — May 8, 2008 @ 12:37 am
Oh. My. Gawd. I have passed out and woke up in heaven….with my face smothered in chocolate!
Comment by toontz — May 8, 2008 @ 3:55 am
I love the photo where you fold the egg whites in…I just wanted to drag my finger through there.
Comment by nina — May 8, 2008 @ 9:56 am
Diva, thank you! And, WHAT?! You don’t like orange and chocolate together? *faints*
j/k, (try it with raspberry or mint, and sub a similar booze flavoring, like raspberry brandy or mint liquer)
Peter, I have to agree with you on the size of the glasses. I’ll put yours in a parfait glass, ok?
Thank you so much, Heather, Patsyk and Jack!
If you’d like to be in the cookbook drawing, please leave a comment on the giveaway post, and I’ll be happy to enter your names in the drawing. 
My Sweet & Saucey, thank you!
Hallie, I hope she likes it!
Thank you, Patricia!
Elle, thank YOU!
Of course you don’t have to share, are you kidding? I’ll make more. 
Thanks so much, Brilynn!
*passing a spoon to Valli* Thanks, sweet pea!
Judy, thank you so much!
Toontz, LOL!
Thank you, Nina!
Comment by nikki — May 8, 2008 @ 11:17 am
you’re either a dastardly minx or an angel from heaven, i can’t decide which. this is incredible, i applaud you (while giving you the evil eye).
Comment by grace — May 8, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
Where’s the bib, Nikki? I’m here in a second!!!!! Aaaahhhhh que bueno!!! I have to do this one for my daughter, she will love me from the earth to jupiter… or even further
Comment by Núria — May 8, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
chocolate/orange, orange/chocolate, add it to a mousse consistency - just shoot me now
Comment by gizmar — May 8, 2008 @ 5:20 pm
That chocolate and orange mouse looks so good! A nice and quick recipe that uses Cointreau.
Comment by Kevin — May 9, 2008 @ 12:10 am
Oh it’s beautiful and I’ll for the booze in my dessert. What a wonderful recipe! Thanks girly.
Comment by noble pig — May 9, 2008 @ 12:16 am
This looks wonderful, and please enter me in your cookbook drawing. I would like to add your to my cookbook collection that my wife fears. I think I up to 100+ Cb at present.
Thanks
Randy
Comment by Randy — May 9, 2008 @ 1:14 am
I had never made mousse before so I ran out and got some orange essence and some chocolate bars to mix this bad boy up. After letting it chill over night, it turned out perfect. I’m not too sure of the cinnamon and it’s a bit rich for me. My wife on the other hand loved it. Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Drew — May 9, 2008 @ 2:10 am
Nikki, this looks really good– orange-flavored dark chocolate, I’ve found, makes excellent variations of desserts!
Comment by manggy — May 9, 2008 @ 9:56 am
mousse is definitely one of my top 3 ways to enjoy chocolate. i’ve never been into the orange-chocolate combo - i like douse my mousse with frangelico - but it sure looks gorgeous.
i’m not saying i would turn in *down* mind you. you know, if you wanted to give me some.
Comment by michelle @ TNS — May 9, 2008 @ 4:57 pm
I’ll have two big, luscious spoonfuls please! Yummy celebratory dessert for sure
Comment by RecipeGirl — May 9, 2008 @ 8:32 pm
Grace, LOL…I’m thinking dastardly best describes me. *giggle* I’m glad you liked the mousse!
Núria, síiiii! Voy a poner la mesa pa’que vengas pa’ca a tomar un poco de mús de chocolate.
Giz, there will be no shooting here. Come on over and have some!
Thanks so much, Kevin!
Thank you, Cathy!
Randy, thanks! Please leave a comment on the giveaway post to be entered in the drawing.
Drew, sorry the cinnamon didn’t do it for ya. Thanks so much for letting me know that you tried it!
Mark, oooooh yes they do make a good combo, don’t they?
LOL Michelle! Frangelico would be freaking awesome in this…instead of using orange infused, maybe sub chocolate with almonds? Uh-oh…my thighs are going to be so pissed at me.
RecipeGirl, thank you! And why stop at two? I’ll give you a whole serving.
Comment by nikki — May 10, 2008 @ 10:59 am