Decadent Valentine’s Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Hearts
A quick and easy homemade dessert featuring layers of fresh strawberry puree and rich, velvety dark chocolate mousse shaped into charming hearts. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any romantic occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 ounces (170 grams) dark chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream, cold
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large egg whites, room temperature
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup (150 grams) fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Fresh strawberry slices or whole berries (for garnish)
- Chocolate shavings or curls (optional, for garnish)
- Mint leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Strawberry Layer: In a small bowl, combine the quartered strawberries, powdered sugar, and lemon juice. Gently mash with a fork until you get a chunky puree. Set aside.
- Melt the Chocolate: Place the chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Melt gently over a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly but do not let it harden.
- Whip the Cream: In a chilled mixing bowl, whip the cold heavy cream with vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip.
- Beat the Egg Whites: In a separate clean bowl, add a pinch of salt to the egg whites. Beat with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Combine Chocolate and Cream: Slowly fold the melted chocolate into the whipped cream using a spatula, folding gently to keep the mixture airy.
- Fold in Egg Whites: Carefully fold the beaten egg whites into the chocolate-cream mixture in three additions, using a gentle hand to maintain lightness.
- Assemble the Hearts: Spoon a layer of strawberry puree into the bottom of each heart-shaped mold or glass. Top with the chocolate mousse, smoothing the surface. Tap lightly to remove air bubbles. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Garnish and Serve: Unmold the mousse hearts if using silicone molds. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices, chocolate shavings, and mint leaves. Serve chilled.
Notes
Use ripe strawberries for best flavor. Fold ingredients gently to keep mousse airy. Chill mousse at least 2 hours for best texture. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use dairy-free dark chocolate. Egg whites can be replaced with aquafaba for a vegan version. Avoid over-whipping cream or egg whites to prevent grainy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One heart-shaped mou
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: strawberry chocolate mousse, Valentine’s Day dessert, chocolate mousse hearts, easy mousse recipe, romantic dessert, homemade mousse, gluten-free dessert, dairy-free option