The best way to celebrate any milestone is with a triple chocolate cake: Brownie Bottom Chocolate Mousse Cake with chocolate whipped cream.
10 years ago this month, I published my first post on Chocolate Moosey – a super exciting, over the top recipe for… Peanut Butter and Jelly Cracker Sandwiches. If that doesn’t say “broke college student starting a food blog”, I don’t know what does. I started Chocolate Moosey because I was studying abroad in Ireland and needed a distraction from my homesickness. Who knew starting a food blog 10 years ago would transform my career to what it is today?
Here I am, 10 years later. I’m developing and shooting recipes for national clients and currently working on my culinary degree to become even better at my job. I’m my own boss doing what I want (and also doing what I don’t want, like negotiating and paperwork). I finally figured out what to do with my life without becoming a miserable cow. But before I get too far, I need to stop and thank YOU. Thank you for reading my blog for 10 years and for coming back. Thank you for making my recipes and sharing them on social media. Thank you for the emails and feedback.
I knew the best way to celebrate my blogiversary was with none other than a chocolate mousse cake (because half the people I tell about my blog think I’m saying Moussey instead of Moosey). A Brownie Bottom Chocolate Mousse Cake with chocolate whipped cream, to be exact. A triple layer chocolate cake that is ideal for any celebration.
I made the chocolate mousse without eggs. Normally it’s served in a glass with a spoon, so traditionally the chocolate firms up enough you don’t need gelatin. However, I wanted the filling a little more stable when you cut into the cake (especially if it sits out at room temperature), which is why I added a little bit of gelatin.
The top is – wait for it – chocolate whipped cream! I love making flavored whipped creams like peanut butter. It was only a matter of time until I did chocolate. I wanted to keep the decorating simple, so I piped some whipped cream on top with chocolate sprinkles.
As you can see, the cake is so brown upon brown upon brown, I served it with fresh red strawberries. Plus chocolate and strawberries are a heavenly combination.
Items you may need (affiliate links):
Brownie Bottom Chocolate Mousse Cake
Ingredients
Brownie Bottom
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 8 tablespoons
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup coffee, room temperature
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Chocolate Mousse
- 1 teaspoon unflavored powdered gelatin
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled to room temperature
Chocolate Whipped Cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- Chocolate sprinkles, for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9 inch springform pan.
- For the brownie bottom: In a large saucepan, melt together the butter and chocolate. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cocoa, sugar, and salt (mixture will be grainy - keep going).
- Beat in the egg and vanilla then beat in the coffee. Whisk in the flour just until fully incorporated then stir in the chocolate chips.
- Spread the batter into the pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (little chocolate is ok but shouldn't be wet batter). Cool completely.
- For the mousse: In a small bowl, add the gelatin. Pour cold water over top. Let sit 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl (with whisk attachment if using a stand mixer), beat the heavy cream until thickened.
- Microwave the gelatin for 5 seconds or until liquid. Gradually add it to the cream along with the powdered sugar and vanilla then continue beating until stiff peaks form (when you pull the beater up, peaks will form and not fall over).
- Fold the whipped cream into the melted chocolate, making sure the chocolate is at room temperature. Too hot and it may melt the whipped cream. Too cold and it may solidify.
- Spread mousse over completely cooled brownie layer. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm.
- For the whipped cream: In a small bowl, sift together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
- In a large mixing bowl (with whisk attachment if using a stand mixer), beat the heavy cream until thickened. Gradually beat in the cocoa mixture and vanilla then continue beating until stiff peaks form (when you pull the beater up, peaks will form and not fall over).
- Spread and/or pipe whipped cream on top of mousse layer. Decorate with chocolate sprinkles. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until ready to serve. For easier cutting, freeze until whipped cream is firm enough to cut.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Rachel says
Congratulations on your blogiversary! The cake is absolutely gorgeous, and is indeed perfect for celebrating milestones!
Carla says
Thank you for always reading and commenting :)
Leslie Gagne says
What a delicious way to celebrate 10 years of blogging. Happy Blogiversary!
Carla says
Thank you!
Laura@motherwouldknow says
Congrats Carla! You’re inspiring and your 10th blog-anniversary cake is inspired. xo
Carla says
Thanks, Laura!
Claire says
Congratulations on your Blogiversary ! Love this, it looks beautiful & delicious
Carla says
Thank you, Claire :)
Marlene says
This looks fabulous! Does the whipped cream hold up without adding a stabilizer, and for how long? I’m saving this for the next party dessert I make. COngrats on 10 years, too. Blogging takes patience and persistence to become a success.
Carla says
Yes it does, for about 1-2 days in the refrigerator. It’ll last a little longer if you freeze the cake.
Susan says
Carla, you have outdone yourself with this recipe. Just reading the ingredients told me that I would love it. Even though it’s unlikely that I will ever have a good excuse to bake this cake, I’m saving the recipe, so it will be around when I come up with a good enough excuse. Congratulations on 10 years of blogging. I’m looking forward to seeing your posts for the next 10 years.
Carla says
Thanks, Susan! I’m sure you can think of any reason to eat cake ;)
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
1-I know this is so late but AHHHH 10 YEARS THAT IS AMAZINGGGGG!!!! HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!
2-This. freaking. cake. Like….brownie….silky mousse, heavenly chocolate whipped cream, It’s 3 layers of YUM.
Carla says
Thanks, Kayle! <3
Sophia Helen says
Congratulations on your blogiversary! It would be great if I could taste it: p
Carla says
Thanks! Wish I could teleport you some samples ;)
Jamie says
Oh my goodness this looks like heaven! This pregnant lady needs this right now!!
Carla says
All the chocolate! :D
Peg says
I made this a few days ago (sorry, no picture!). It was both fabulous and not. I think that I overcooked the brownie base because it was just too difficult to cut as nicely as your pics show! The soft top layers didn’t hold up and it was a bit messy. But but but…..the flavors were over the top wonderful! Our guests and my husband were swooning – they didn’t care what it looked like! The brownie base is so chocolaty but not sweet at all! I think that I will make it just on its own because it was just about the BEST brownie we have ever had! Wonderful!
Carla says
Glad you enjoyed it despite those few things! The top two layers can get a bit soft to cut if they’re not cold enough, so sometimes if I’m having trouble, I’ll freeze it to firm it up some more before cutting.
RD says
Can I substitute gelatin for Agar Agar? Do I use equal quantities?
Carla says
I’ve never worked with agar agar, so I honestly don’t know. If you google how to substitute agar agar for gelatin, you should be able to find answers.