Go Back
creamy chocolate mousse with toppings

Sea Salt Chocolate Mousse with Biscoff Crumble

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 14 hours
Servings 6
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, French
This sea salt chocolate mousse features a silky, rich chocolate base layered with crunchy Biscoff crumble and bright, tart cranberry consommé. Smooth, crunchy, and tangy, it's the perfect dessert for special occasions.

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer with whisk attachment
  • Immersion Blender
  • Whisk
  • Food Thermometer
  • Heat-safe Mixing Bowls
  • Pot
  • Spatula
  • Parchment Paper
  • Baking Sheet
  • Foil
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Digital Scale

Ingredients

MOUSSE
  • 1 gelatin sheet silver strength/170 bloom
  • 224 g 1 cup heavy cream
  • 156 g whole milk
  • 154 g dark OR bittersweet chocolate, chips or finely chopped
  • Sea salt for topping, optional
CONSOMMÉ
  • 200 g frozen cranberries*
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 25 g powdered sugar
BISCOFF CRUMBLE
  • 60 g - biscoff crumbled
  • 20 g - butter melted

Instructions

MOUSSE

  • Soak the gelatin in a bowl of ice water until soft, about 20 minutes. (If using powdered gelatin, sprinkle 2 tsp [6g] gelatin over 6 tsp [30g] water in a small bowl, stir, and let sit for 20 minutes to bloom.)
  • In a small pot, bring the milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a whisk. Remove from heat.
  • Place the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Pour half of the hot milk over the chocolate and let it stand for 30 seconds. Stir gently with a spatula until the milk has melted the chocolate. Once melted, pour in the remaining milk, and stir to combine.
  • Switch to a hand blender and emulsify the ganache until smooth, glossy, and free of any lumps.
  • Squeeze out any excess water from your bloomed gelatin. Whisk the bloomed gelatin into the hot ganache until the gelatin has dissolved. Let cool to 90 to 95°F (32 to 35°C).
  • In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the cream until it forms medium-stiff peaks.
  • Using a large rubber spatula, slowly pour the ganache into the whipped cream as you constantly fold until fully incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, so you don't deflate too much air in the mousse.
  • Place a piece of parchment paper directly on the surface of the mousse, to prevent a skin from forming, and cover the bowl with foil. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours to set.

CONSOMMÉ

  • Place an inch of water into a large pot and bring to a boil.
  • In a glass or metal bowl, place your cranberries, lemon juice, and sugar, and stir to combine. Place your bowl on the pot, above the boiling water, and place a lid on top of the bowl that fits as snugly as possible.
  • After about 3-5 minutes, remove the lid briefly, tightly cover and wrap your bowl with foil, and place the lid back on. Turn the stove down to low and cook for one hour.
  • Remove from the heat and cool completely before assembly.

BISCOFF CRUMBLE

  • Preheat oven to 350F (180C) on the CONVECTION setting
  • In a mini food processor, break up your biscoff cookies until just crumbled. They don’t need to be pulverized but they’ll probably be close.
  • Melt butter and pour over biscoff crumbles. Stir to combine, make sure can hold together but not too wet.
  • Place on a parchment-lined sheet and pat together to make an even, flat circle (or rectangle or whatever shape works based on how you spread it), about ¼” thick
  • Bake 6-7 minutes, remove and cool completely
  • For assembly, just break as desired into bits.

ASSEMBLY

  • Parfait: In a parfait or trifle dish, place a layer of your biscoff at the bottom, top with a layer of the set mousse, and then top with a layer of cranberry consommé. Repeat to the top of the dish. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.
  • Plating: Using a spoon, scoop a little of the cranberry liquid from the bowl and drizzle it around the edge of the plate, place an oval of biscoff crumbles in the center. With a warm (not hot) spoon, scoop a rocher or quenelle* of mousse from the bowl and place on the crumbles. Carefully top with one or two cranberries, placing a few cranberries around the edge within the drizzle as well. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.
  • Store airtight in the fridge for two days.

Notes

*If you prefer cherries instead of cranberries, go for it! They have a similar stability and sharpness that pairs perfectly with the mousse and crumble.
*I adapted the consommé recipe above from Chef Ashley’s, which I received during my patisserie course in Scotland. The mousse recipe comes from Dominic Ansel.
QR Code linking back to recipe