This Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake has a smooth creamy filling and is topped with whipped cream. With elegant layers and balanced sweetness, it is the perfect dessert. Baked in the oven, and can be made in advance, this recipe is great for easy entertaining.
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A crisp chocolate crust and a smooth, creamy filling makes this cheesecake irresistible. The light whipped topping and chocolate shavings add just the right amount of sweetness. It’s rich but not too heavy, making it a crowd-pleaser.
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Perfect for holidays, Passover, or special occasions, this cake can be made ahead. Chilling enhances the flavors and gives it a velvety texture.
This recipe has been in my family for over 40 years and was a staple at our Passover Seder table along with Matzo Crack, Coconut Macaroons, and Grandma's Chicken Soup. Recently, we have been serving a Carrot Kugel or a Vegetable Kugel as well.
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this chocolate mousse cake:
Ingredient Notes
- Matzo Cake Meal - Matzo cake meal is a finely ground version of traditional matzo, commonly used in recipes during Passover. It serves as a flour substitute, allowing you to create baked goods and desserts that remain in keeping with dietary restrictions. I also tested the crust with chocolate macaroons that I purchased. This crust worked well; however, I felt that it was too sweet for this cake. You can easily substitute and I have listed those below.
- Semi-sweet Chocolate - I tested this recipe with both dark/bittersweet chocolate and milk chocolate. Semi-sweet chocolate hit the right note without being bitter or too sweet. I always prefer using Guittard or Valhrona chocolate if you can find them.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Additions & Substitutions
Additions:
- Flavor - Add espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor in the crust or in the filling.
- Nut Topping - Sprinkle chopped toasted almonds, hazelnuts, or pecans for a bit of crunch.
- Berry Garnish - Fresh raspberries or strawberries balance the richness with a hint of tartness. These can be added as a layer between the cheesecake and the whipped topping or as a topping to the whipped cream.
Substitutions:
- Matzo Cake Meal/Crust - You can easily swap out the matzo cake meal for flour, a gluten-free flour, graham crackers, chocolate sandwich cookies, or macaroons. If using graham crackers, cookies, or macaroons, pulse the cookie in a food processor to create a fine crumb. If you choose to use any of these substitutions, you will need to adjust the butter either by adding more or less butter to make the crumbs come together.
- Vanilla Extract - Espresso powder, hazelnut extract, almond extract, or orange extract can be used.
- Dairy-Free Option - Replace the cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative like a cashew-based cream cheese, and swap heavy cream for coconut cream.
How To Make Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake : Step-By-Step
Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with the exact ingredients are in the printable recipe card:
Step 1: Make the crust and then press the mixture into a 9" springform pan and bake.
Cool slightly and then refrigerate until well chilled.
Step 2: Make the filling and then pour the filling into the prepared cooled crust.
Step 3: Bake until the outside is firm and lightly brown and the center is soft when shaken, about 30-35 minutes.
Refrigerate until well chilled.
Step 4: Make the topping.
Remove the cake from the springform pan.
Spread the topping on the cake and top with shaved chocolate or other garnishes.
Confidence Tip
Refrigerate the cooked filling for at least 4 hours or overnight for a firm, creamy consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mousse is lighter and softer because it does not contain cream cheese. The cream cheese in this recipe adds depth and creaminess that stands up to the crust.
In this recipe, we are purposefully creating the cheesecake layer to be like chocolate mousse. Light, airy, and creamy.
Delicious Main Course Meals
Let me know your thoughts on Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake by leaving a star rating below or by sharing it on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Thank you!
Gwen
Flourless Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake
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Equipment
Ingredients
Crust
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter or margarine
- 2 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 ⅓ cups matzo cake meal gluten-free matzo cake meal, or see the notes below
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 9 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips coarsely chopped
- 11 oz cream cheese room temperature
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 6 eggs room temperature
- 4 tsps vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
Topping
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- chocolate shavings for the top
Instructions
Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Place the chocolate and butter into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in twenty-second intervals. Stir in-between until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.⅓ cup unsalted butter, 2 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Mix in the matzo meal and sugar.1 ⅓ cups matzo cake meal, ⅓ cup sugar
- Press into the 9" springform pan coating the bottom and the sides.
- Bake until firm, about 8 minutes.
- Cool slightly and then refrigerate until well chilled.
Filling
- Preheat the oven to 375℉.
- Place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in twenty-second intervals. Stir in-between until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.9 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Using a mixer or food processor, beat the cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy.11 oz cream cheese, ⅔ cup sugar
- Beat in the eggs one at a time.6 eggs
- Beat in the vanilla.4 tsps vanilla extract
- Beat in the chocolate and the heavy cream.⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
- Pour into the cooled crust.
- Bake until the outside is firm and lightly brown and the center is soft when shaken, about 30-35 minutes.
- Refrigerate until well chilled.
Topping
- Using an electric mixer, beat the whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream, ¼ cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Remove the cake from the springform pan.
- Spread the topping on the cake and top with shaved chocolate or other garnishes.chocolate shavings for the top
Gwen Wolken says
This is a family favorite for a reason!