Let me 'whisk you to Paris' with this white chocolate mousse recipe. It's as simple as it gets with just three key ingredients, yet it's anything but ordinary. Ideal for a Valentine's or galantine's treat or just to pamper yourself, this unique mousse is about effortless French chic.
Clémentine's best French chocolate mousse marathon, Gourmantine's Blog"Well, I think anyone thinking this way should be sent a pot of this white chocolate treat by Jill Colonna, and I am most certain they will have an epiphany.
The dark chocolate loving judge panel put the final fight for the best of the best mousse title between recipes essentially out of dark chocolate, but this wonder was considered a champion in it’s own category and deserves a special mention. It tastes better than it looks...this one is definitely going to the top of my all time favourites."
French Mousse Inspiration
This easy French mousse recipe was inspired by a beautiful Merveilleux meringue cake savoured at "Un Dimanche à Paris", a Parisian address now moved to the pâtisseries of Dubai.
Back in my kitchen, I wanted to recapture these blossoming flavours, without the extra sweet meringue. The result? I developed this quick and easy gluten-free dessert that lets the nuances of orange blossom and rose shine.
What are the Main Ingredients of White Chocolate Mousse?
This mousse recipe begins with premium white chocolate. I use Cacao Barry's Zéphyr (34%) chocolat blanc drops, but any top brand is best (Valrhona, Ghirardelli, Nestlé) that's less sweet than the more commercial supermarket generic brands.
Select whipping or heavy cream with a minimum of 30% fat content — this is crucial for achieving the perfect whipped consistency. Half-fat cream won't work for this recipe. Add just one egg white to make this extra light and fluffy - not even needed if you have a siphon.
The unique addition to this recipe which makes the dessert special is the rose and orange blossom waters.
At about 200 calories a portion, added sugar is unnecessary. The sweetness of the white chocolate is enough to satisfy your cravings.
What Could Go Wrong with Whipping White Chocolate Mousse?
Perhaps the most disappointing problem is if your cream curdles. This happens when the melted white chocolate and cream mixture is too hot. When added to the cold, whipped cream, the fat in the chocolate doesn't like it and the whole thing separates.
To avoid this, just ensure that the white chocolate has completely cooled down - place in the fridge or freezer while whipping the cream. Test with your finger that the chocolate mix is cool, not warm, then fold it into the whipped cream.
Perhaps it also sounds obvious, but it happens to us all: check the 'best before' date on the white chocolate. As it doesn't last as long as other chocolate, it can easily go out of date and so will not behave as it should.
Two Ways of Making This Mousse
There are two ways of making this white chocolate mousse. Either:
- Using an electric whisk (hand or stand mixer), whip up most of the cream and egg white then fold in the melted cooled white chocolate with a little of the cream. See the recipe card below; or
- With a siphon, there's no need for the egg white. Simply heat together 100g (4oz) each of white chocolate, whipping cream and whole milk with the floral waters, pour the whole lot into the can, add a gas canister and you're done. For this method in full, see the rhubarb crumble revisited recipe.
How Best to Serve White Chocolate Mousse
While the mousse can be served proudly on its own, a final touch of garnish can take it to the next level. Consider the following topping ideas:
- a simple wedge of orange or clementine to complement the delicate orange blossom along with edible flowers such as winter pansies.
- rose petals or raspberry and rose macarons. My own cookbook, "Teatime in Paris," features a rose and orange blossom macaron that would complement this mousse well. Whether it's Valentine's Day or any day that calls for a heartfelt gesture, see my easy peasy instructions how to pipe out macaron hearts.
- with almond tuile cookies.
- layer the mousse with fresh strawberries, raspberries or a dollop of rhubarb compote. Alternatively, finish with a flourish of mousse to top rhubarb crumbles or red fruit bavarois.
No matter your choice, the mousse acts as an elegant canvas waiting for your creative touch. If entertaining, accompany this with glass of chilled Muscat dessert wine.
Love more white chocolate and rose?
Then check out this recipe for white chocolate panna cotta with rose.
Love mousse? Then try more French recipes:
- Fluffy French Dark Chocolate Mousse (without cream)
- Chocolate Mousse with Passion Fruit and Nougatine
- Strawberry mousse
White Chocolate Mousse
Equipment
- Electric whisk
Ingredients
- 300 ml (10fl oz/ 1¼ cups) whipping/heavy cream (at least 30% fat)
- 125 g (4½oz/ about ¾ cup) white chocolate broken in pieces
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon rose water
- ½ tablespoon orange flower water
- orange wedges, rose petals, white chocolate shavings optional (for decor)
Instructions
- Place a mixing bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan, gently heat the white chocolate with a little (50ml) of the cream and the rose and orange flower waters. As soon as it's nearly completely melted (no more than 5 minutes), take off the heat and keep stirring to melt the white chocolate completely. Set aside to cool in the fridge or freezer.
- Using an electric beater, whisk the rest of the cream with the egg white to medium-firm peaks. This should take at least 5 minutes.Gradually fold in the cooled chocolate mixture until completely incorporated and fluffy.
- Pour into individual serving glasses and chill in the fridge for at least an hour.
Notes
This recipe was first published 9 February 2012 but is now updated.
Christina | Christina's Cucina
I DO like a good quality white chocolate (don't like the sickeningly sweet ones) so I'm sure I'd love this! Trying to decide which of your Valentine treats to make is so diffficult! I want to make them all!
Jill Colonna
Totally like you on white chocolate, Christina. I know you'll like this!
Gourmantine
I've made this chocolate mousse for the choc mousse marathon we've had this weekend and it was nothing short of incredible! Rose and orange blossom water go with white chocolate perfectly and make a very special treat!!!
Jill
Thanks so much, Gourmantine. So glad you liked it. When I first imagined it in my head and then put it into this dessert I wasn't sure how it would turn out so am so pleased to share it. It's my kind of dessert: light, airy and not too sweet. That way you can have more 😉
Joanna @ Chic & Gorgeous Treats
Oh my Jill, you are my no.1 macaron queen guru. Well I have been drooling over your beautiful macarons a long long time. And this recipe is simply delectable. The colour is pretty as well. Light and soft. PERFECT!! Have a good week. Cheers, Jo
Jill
Joanna, thanks so much for your sweet words. Huge virtual hug! J xo
Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite
Absolutely stunning Jill. And yes, I remember that Merveilleux. Mmmmmmmmm!
Jill
Especially as next time I'll even let you taste it 😉
Becky
Jill,
This is such an elegant, romantic dessert for two. The White Chocolate mousse, looks so light, fluffy, and decadent. The dessert would go well with the bubbles:) Happy valentine's Day!
Jill
Hm. Bubbles. My toes are curling just at the thought, Becky!
parisbreakfast
OMG!
mouth-wateringly lush & divine.
waiting for the next cookbook.
It will be a smash
Jill
Funny - this is one of the recipes in the next book, although it's presented rather differently. It's taking me forever on it, though!
Vicki Bensinger
Believe it or not Valentine Macarons were going to be my second go at making them altogether. I was hoping to pop these out today or tomorrow. Now that I have the perfect guide I'll be sure to get them right.
Your hearts look absolutely perfect and lovely. I can't wait to try these. Thank you for sharing them.
Happy Valentine's Day to you and your honey a couple days early!
Jill
Thanks, Vicki. There's an idea you have: honey macarons for your loved one!
spiceblogger
Jill, this is the MOST Beautiful dessert! Such a lovely, romantic Valentine's treat. 🙂
Thank you!
--Shelley
Jill
Thanks so much, Shelley. I'm rather proud of it myself 😉 - it's delicious and so quick and easy to make at home.
All That I'm Eating
Oh these are the prettiest things! How could anyone not smile if you made them this for Valentine's Day.
Jill
Och. Your comments make me smile.
Claudia
I'm not always a fan of white chocolate - but with this rose water and orange blossom water - I can imagine a lightness of being. And it is so gosh-darn pretty, Jill - just so Valentine's Day lovely. (Yes, I'm afraid of macarons - I am more comfortable with meatballs - what can I say?)
Jill
Hm. A meatball macaron. Would that help, Claudia? 🙂
Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen
Jill, how beautiful. Husband take note - no flowers, no champagne - I want this stunning mousse for Valentines Day! Have a great weekend and wrap up agaist the Siberian weather! Hx
Jill
What? No flowers, no bubbles? Don't do it, Hester. Don't! Enjoy 🙂
Amalia
Wow those macaron hearts look so beautiful! And the white chocolate Mousse looks gorgeous as well! The combination of those two is perfect, especially for Valentine's day! I'll be making macarons from your book very soon, I can't wait to give macarons a try again after my first failed attempt, haha 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful day!
Jill
Look forward to hearing about your macaron successes, Amalia. You'll be doing the feet dance, I can just see it.
5 Star Foodie
Such an elegant and lovely dessert! The mousse sounds just wonderful and i love the macaroon heart garnish!
Jill
Thanks, Natasha. Means so much coming from you.
Lora
Just dreamy..the colors the flavors, everything. Such a pretty dessert. I love it. Your heart shaped macs are gorgeous.
Jill
Virtual hugs, Lora. You're such a sweetheart!
Marsha @ The Harried Cook
Wow! Those macaron hearts are perfect! You are brilliant... and the mousse sounds so yummy, Jill! I remember doing the 'my macarons have feet dance' months ago when I first made macarons! You've reminded me, and now I can't wait to try making them again 🙂 Fabulous post!
Jill
Thanks Marsha. Time to dance again, then. Nothing brillliant - this is so easy!
Juliana
Oh! I still yet to try to bake macarons...still too chicken 🙂
Like the heart shape and perfectly paired with the white chocolate mousse...so elegant for Valentine's Day.
Hope you are having a fantastic week Jill!
Jill
Cluck, cluck. Come on, Juliana. You can do it! Have a wonderful Val weekend.
Cucina49
I am one of those fearful bakers, which is why I love your site. Those hearts are swoon-worthy--I don't have any problems with the marscapone cream, but fear the hearts would not look this good.
Jill
And so what if a heart or 2 are not quite right? There are no macaron police out there. The point is, it can be done, we can have fun with them and above all the taste is divine. So, if it's not quite right it doesn't matter. Fear not, Cucina!
Nami | Just One Cookbook
LOL! "perfectly competent cooks" are scared to try macarons.... are you talking about me? Not that I'm saying I'm a "perfectly competent" cook but I know you are talking about me! Teehee. I love eating macarons though... And seeing how delicate they are I'm very intimidated! I absolutely love your heart shaped pink macarons! I didn't know how you make the heart shape. That's interesting. Your white chocolate mousse sounds perfect with these macarons. Happy Valentine's Day Jill!
Jill
See? That upsets me to hear you're intimidated by these little things. Go for it, Nami! If I can do it... Sure they're delicate and I broke one but I wasn't sure about posting a photo with a broken heart. Perhaps next week when hubby is away ...
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family
Oh I love the macaron in heart shape...so festive and lovely.
Jamie
I really don't like white chocolate either but this does look so perfect and romantic! And the hearts are so beautiful! I am going to try this next time I make macs! Perfect!
Jill
Jamie, you don't taste the white chocolate much but the orange blossom and rose shine through which I love! Hope you like it.
Liz
Hey, that was me this summer! And now I need to make your beautiful hearts so I can proclaim another victory! Thanks for sharing the technique, my friend 🙂
Jill
That was me also a few years ago. We can all see it in ourselves, can't we Liz? Once we've got over the initial confidence hurdle we can achieve it no problem!
Kiri W.
This looks so amazing! Love the mousse, white chocolate doesn't get enough love 🙂 And mm, look at the shavings! Perfect dessert.
Jill
Even I like it and I'm not a huge fan of white choc. Didn't put that much in it, but just enough for the velvety texture. I'm hooked!
Amrita
I know that excited feeling about 'feet' because I did that happy dance when I finally got perfect 'feet' too! Btw, I love that first pic of the footprints in snow, I first thought that was white sand. Hah! That white chocolate mousse sounds so divine with the touch of rose and orange flower! Beautiful!
Jill
Thanks, Amrita. I now wish it was sand. Where's the heat?
Kim Bee
Jill this is adorable. I would have never thought to use them like that. Love the mousse. I really need to get your book, attempt making macarons and leave you a facebook message. Let's hope for beginners luck.
Jill
Kim, no need for luck with your talents! You'll see.
Tina@flourtrader
Well this does surprise me! Making a macaron into a heart shape I imagine is not an easy task-however since you are so skilled at making macarons this was a breeze. Also, putting one of these hearts with a creamy white chocolate mousse is perfect. You really have some amazing photos of your creations here. I love the third picture!
Jill
Thanks so much, Tina. But you'll find it a breeze too! Thanks for the compliments on the photos. 3rd one is in the book. The others? One has just been declined by Kitchen Artistry, boohoo. Off to eat worms for dinner.
Eva Toneva
Amazing dessert! Delicate chocolate mousse, served perfectly and arranged! 🙂
Jill
Thanks, Eva. Wish I could take photos like you!
FreeSpiritEater
Wow! This is gorgeous Jill! I remember seeing the first step of the macaron heart on FB and wondering where it will go from there, the finished result is simply stunning! Any Valentine would be lucky to receive such a lovely surprise. Thanks for sharing Jill, hope you have a beautiful day =]
Jill
Wow, that was quick! Thank you for your sweet words. Now you see how easy it is. Today it’s still freezing! -8°C brrrr