Chocolate Lovers Are Adding This Pantry Staple To Mousse For A Silky Finish

The luscious texture and rich flavor of chocolate mousse have made it a staple in the pantheon of American desserts. Dependable for its creamy mouthfeel and satisfying chocolate hit, you can't go wrong with choosing chocolate mousse to end a special meal (or for an afternoon snack that is bound to lift your day like an espresso). While chocolate mousse is luxurious in its classic form, try amplifying the decadence by incorporating olive oil. It's having a moment in desserts for good reason.

Olive oil can turn into a caramel topping with one extra ingredient, and it can be used as a savory ice cream topping. Whether you're adding olive oil to your cake batter or another dessert, it provides a depth of flavor that beefs up your hero flavor in a subtle way (in this case, the chocolate) and unlocks an extra level of smoothness that lingers on your tongue for a few additional, memorable moments. Another bonus is that olive oil can replace both the butter and cream if you're making a dairy-free chocolate mousse.

Quality chocolate is the anchor to this decadent yet fairly simple dessert, which comes together quickly. While traditional mousse calls for adding butter to the melted chocolate, this olive oil riff replaces the butter before incorporating the egg yolks and final fold of whipped egg whites (or optional whipped cream). Just avoid overmixing your chocolate mousse, and be sure to watch the temperature of your chocolate and olive oil mixture before adding other ingredients. Excessive heat will scramble the eggs, and excessive cold will make the mixture turn unpleasant and grainy, which holds true for the classic mousse recipe as well.

For maximum enjoyment, choose a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for this application, as the slightly grassy notes will subtly shine through in your mousse. For the final flourish that will keep your guests talking, elevate your chocolate mousse presentation with the addition of fruits like berries or cherries (or a fruit curd if you are feeling ambitious), some nuts for crunch, and a sprinkle of sea salt to round out all of the flavors and make them pop.