This chocolate mousse cake is an entremet made with a chocolate insert and a mirror glaze. Light and airy chocolate mousse made with cooked eggs surround a dense flourless chocolate cake covered with white chocolate and condensed milk-based mirror glaze.

Table of Content
It is wonderful to see that aha moment when people see the hidden chocolate torte inside this chocolate mousse cake. The mirror glaze is the most in trend and one that's so easy to master.
Why make this mousse cake
- It is a very impressive cake to show off your baking skills to family and friends
- Most of the ingredients are easy to find and some pantry staples.
- While it sounds complicated the cake is quite simple and easy to make
- The process has a lot of waiting/inactive time in between steps. This means you can plan this ahead of time and leave it in the fridge until you are ready for the next step
- There are three components to the dessert. It is like putting three separate desserts into one. The torte, mousse, and glaze. Each, of course, is independent on its own.
- The chocolate torte is my flourless chocolate cake - it can be eaten as a dessert on its own or served warm with a dollop of ice cream. But inside this, it adds a very different texture (dense) compared to the light and airy mousse.
- The chocolate mousse is the classic recipe I've used before in a few recipes. While it can be poured into individual serving cups or silicon molds today we freeze it in a springform pan for this entremet.
- and, the mirror glaze is white chocolate and gelatin-based often used on entremets. This glaze, when poured over a cake gives an ultra-shiny appearance like the surface of a mirror. Hence the name mirror glaze.

Timeline for making this entremets
- Chocolate Torte - prep -10 mins, baking - 50 to 60 mins, chill - 3 hours
- Chocolate mousse - 30 mintues
- Assemble -10 minutes
- Freeze - 6 hours (can be overnight)
- Mirror glaze - 30 minutes (prep, cool, pour)
- Thawing 4 to 6 hrs
- Active time - 1 hour and Inactive time - 12 hours

Ingredients and substitution
- Eggs - Here, I am cooking the yolks and whites so any eggs will work. If you want to use raw eggs I suggest you look for pasteurized eggs.
- Whipping cream - This has got to be 35 to 38 % fat or the mousse will not set. For the topping, you can use any whipped cream.
- Chocolate - You can use any good quality chocolate - dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate. I am using 60% coverture Callebaut chocolate.
- Butter - I always use unsalted butter so I can control the quantity of salt in my baked recipe but if salted butter is all you have, feel free to use it. Just omit the salt in the recipe.
- Gelatin - This is what helps the mirror glaze stick to the cake. So yes a critical element. Use a good quality non-flavored gelatin for the best results
- Condensed milk - Believe it or not this is the star of the show in this recipe. This is where that mirror glaze effect comes into play. Condensed milk is usually sold in cans but can be made at home too. You can use homemade condensed milk too.
- White Chocolate - We use white so we can play with color and achieve all those different colors but you can use dark chocolate too! Of course, once you add dark chocolate there is only one color - brown - so you won't be able to make the blue, reds, and all those fancy colors.

Chocolate mousse cake
Chocolate insert
- Preheat the oven to 300°F/ 150°C / Gas Mark 2
- Line a 7-inch round springform cake pan with parchment paper on the inside and wrap with aluminum foil on the outside
Pro-tip - the parchment on the inside is for easy removal and the foil will prevent water from getting into the pan when baked in a water bath (similar to a cheesecake) - Melt the chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl until all the chocolate has melted. Then, add the sugar and combine until all the sugar has almost dissolved.
Pro tip - the heat in the chocolate will help dissolve the sugar and the sugar will help cool the chocolate before the eggs go in.

- Next, add the eggs one at a time making sure to incorporate each egg before you add the next.
Pro tip - adding eggs one at a time will emulsify with the butter better and incorporate easily. - Finally, add the coffee/espresso mixture and vanilla extract.
Pro tip - The color of your chocolate torte will depend on the chocolate you use. A higher percentage of cocoa will give a dark chocolate torte. - Pour into the prepared baking pan. Place the pan in a baking tray on the center rack. Pour hot water on the outside of the pan – about 2 cups.
Pro tip - the water outside the pan will create moisture in the oven preventing the cake from drying out. So the cake essentially bakes in a wet steam oven rather than dry air. - Bake for about 50 to 60 minutes. When done the center should be almost set.
Pro tip - It will continue to cook in the residue heat and will set further as it cools. - Let cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes then cool completely before you wrap in plastic and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours or until ready to use.
Pro tip - the cake will be slightly puffed up when just baked, but it will sink as it cools.

Chocolate Mousse
- Place a saucepan with 2-inches of water on medium heat. You will need 3 heat-proof bowls that can be set on the saucepan.
- Bowl 1 - In the first bowl, add the chocolate and butter. Place it over the saucepan with simmering water. Let the chocolate melt. Stirring when needed. Set aside to cool slightly.
Pro tip - Chocolate can seize if any steam gets into it. So, keep the heat on medium to low and stir as necessary. - Bowl 2 - In the second bowl, add the egg yolks and 2 tablespoon of sugar. Combine well. Then, place it over the saucepan with simmering water. Using a whisk, stir continuously until all the sugar is melted and the yolks are barely warm. And set aside.
Pro tip - You want the heat to be on medium to low (not high) to prevent the eggs from cooking. You don't need a thermometer but as a guide, it should be about 149 F. - and Bowl 3 - In the third bowl, add the egg whites and the remaining 2 tablespoon of sugar. Place it over the saucepan with simmering water. Use a clean whisk to stir until all the sugar has melted. We want the mixture barely warm.
Pro tip - Keep the heat on medium to low (not heigh) to prevent the eggs from cooking. You don't need a thermometer but as a guide, it should be about 144 F.

- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the whipping cream with vanilla extract to almost stiff peaks - And set aside.
- Using the same mixer and whisk attachment (no need to clean the bowl), whip the egg yolks until light and fluffy - set aside.
- Clean the mixer bowl and whisk attachment as we need a clean grease-free bowl. Then whip the egg whites to stiff peaks - And set aside.
Pro tip - It is very important to clean the bowl and whisk as any grease will prevent the egg whites from whipping to a stiff meringue. - Combine
- First, add the whipped yolks to the chocolate mixture - fold gently but don't overmix.
- Next, add the whipped cream to the chocolate mixture - fold gently but don't overmix.
- Finally, add the whipped egg whites to the chocolate mixture - fold gently until you have no white streaks.

Assemble
- Line a 9" springform pan with parchment paper on the bottom and a cake collar on the sides.
- Pour the chocolate mousse into the prepared pan. Then place the chilled chocolate insert in the mousse. Shake the pan and smooth the mousse around so it is a flat surface.
Pro tip - chocolate insert is heavy so I prefer to place it on the bottom of the mousse cake but you can push it more towards the center if you prefer. - Wrap the springform pan in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for at least 6 hours or overnight until firm
Pro tip - make sure the pan is on a flat surface so the cake is leveled otherwise you will have a slanted mousse cake.

Mirror Glaze
- Add half the water in a small bowl with gelatin and let it soak for 3 to 5 mins to bloom.
Pro tip - it is important that the gelatin soak well or it can give you a very grainy glaze. - In a heavy-based saucepan - add glucose, sugar, condensed milk, vanilla extract, and remaining water. Let come to a boil over low to medium heat.
Pro tip - a heavy-bottom pan will prevent the condensed milk from scotching a the bottom. If it does do not scrape it as it will ruin the taste and texture of the glaze.

- Once all the sugar has dissolved - and the mixture has come to a nice slow boil. Take it off the heat. Let rest for a minute before you add the white chocolate.
Pro tip - the reason we let it cool a minute is so that the white chocolate does not split as soon as it is added to the boiling mixture. - Next, add the soaked/bloomed gelatin - Let it melt
Pro tip -The heat in the mixture should be enough to melt the white chocolate. If not, use an immersion blender for just a few seconds

- Strain the mixture through a sieve or mesh.
Pro tip - we strain to remove any undissolved gelatin or unmelted chocolate. - Divide the glaze into the number of colors you need for your project. Color the glaze with food gel colors. I made ¼ cup water using titanium white gel food color and the rest I dyed into ice blue.
- Let the glaze come to almost room temperature between 90°to 95°F
Pro tip- You don't want the glaze too hot as it can melt the dessert, but also, not too thick. It should be a pouring consistency otherwise it will not flow down the dessert.

- Pouring the glaze - place the frozen cake on a cooling rack over a large plate or baking sheet so the excess will drip down on the cake. Pour the glaze in a circular motion starting with one or two colors based on the desired effect. Use an off-set spatula to blend the colors.
Pro tip - If you have air bubbles in the mirror glaze, hold the glaze a bit higher so the bubbles disperse before they flow down to the cake. - Thawing - The cake needs to thaw in the fridge for at least 4 to 6 hours so it's not hard when you serve.

Tips
- The chocolate you use will determine how delicious this cake turns out. Get a chocolate bar from the supermarket but pick one you would enjoy eating. NO cooking chocolate, and not compound chocolate.
- Plan this dessert in advance so you have enough to do the necessary steps
- The chocolate torte does not need to be frozen hard but since it delicate chilling it for at least 3 hours will make it easier to handle.
- The mousse must be prepared only after the torte is chilled because once prepared it does start to set.
- Also, the mousse cake must be frozen otherwise it will be difficult to mold out of the cake.
- Make sure the cake is frozen for a few hours so the glaze solidifies as soon as it hits the cold cake.
- The temperature of the glaze is important. You need the glaze to be pouring consistency at a temperature between 90 to 95 F.
- Glazes made with perishable ingredients like this one with condensed milk should always be refrigerated.
- Plan the colors you are going to use in advance and take note that both white chocolate, gelatine, and condensed milk are not white. So you are starting off with an off-white base. Some colors don't do well with this base. You may need more.
- Mirror glaze is not white so if you need white you will need to use white gel food color also called titanium oxide.
- Once glazed the cake must be left in the fridge to thaw so the moose is not too cold to cut.
- Other pans for this cake. You can also use a silicone mold to set the mousse as I did in my chocolate mousse heart cake

More mousse recipes
- Classic chocolate mousse, Eggless, or Vegan chocolate mousse
- Blackberry mousse (eggless)
- Chestnut mousse (eggless)
- Classic Mango Mouse - vegetarian mango mousse
- Vegan mango coconut cream mousse (vegan, vegetarian)
- Classic strawberry mousse
- See all mousse recipes
Frequently asked questions
The cake will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Once thawed the mousse will start to lose a bit of volume because of the whipped cream deflating.
Good quality chocolate that you like to eat. No baking chocolate or candy melts.
Yes, candy melts do work in this mirror glaze recipe.
The mirror glaze is three times the amount that stays on the cake but that is because we do need extra to pour it on the cake.
Chocolate mousse is a great combination with many things from fruits purees to jellies
Freeze a layer of any fruit fillings like my strawberry, raspberry, blueberry filling.
Printable Recipe
Chocolate Mousse Cake Entremet
Print Pin Rate Share by Email Share on FB Save GrowDescription
Video
Conversions Used
1 lb = 453 grams, 1 cup = 240 ml, 1 stick = 113g, 1 tbsp= 15 ml, 1 tsp= 5 ml,
Ingredients
Chocolate insert
- 4 oz (113 g) Chocolate
- ½ cup (113 g) Unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup (65 g) White sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ¼ cup (60 ml) Espresso or coffee ((brewed))
Chocolate mousse
- 7 oz (1.29 cups) Chocolate (dark or semi-sweet)
- 2 tablespoon Butter (unsalted)
- 4 tablespoon Sugar (divided)
- 4 Egg yolks
- 2 large Egg whites
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120 ml) Whipping cream
Mirror glaze
- 1½ tablespoon Gelatin
- ½ cup (120 ml) Water (divided)
- ¾ cup (180 ml) Glucose or light corn syrup
- ¾ cup (150 g) Sugar
- 7 oz (200 g) Sweetened Condensed milk
- 7 oz (200 g) White chocolate
Instructions
Chocolate insert
- Preheat the oven to 300°F/ 150°C / Gas Mark 2
- Line a 7-inch round springform cake pan with parchment paper on the inside and wrap with aluminum foil on the outsidePro tip - the parchment on the inside is for easy removal and the foil will prevent water from getting into the pan when baked in a water bath (similar to a cheesecake)
- Melt the chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl until all the chocolate has melted. Then, add the sugar and combine until all the sugar has almost dissolved. Pro tip - the heat in the chocolate will help dissolve the sugar and the sugar will help cool the chocolate before the eggs go in.4 oz Chocolate, ½ cup Unsalted butter, ⅓ cup White sugar
- Next, add the eggs one at a time making sure to incorporate each egg before you add the next.Pro tip - adding eggs one at a time will emulsify with the butter better and incorporate easily.2 large Eggs
- Finally, add the coffee/espresso mixture and vanilla extract. Pro tip - The color of your chocolate torte will depend on the chocolate you use. A higher percentage of cocoa will give a dark chocolate torte.1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, ¼ cup Espresso or coffee
- Pour into the prepared baking pan. Place the pan in a baking tray on the center rack. Pour hot water on the outside of the pan – about 2 cups.Pro tip - the water outside the pan will create moisture in the oven preventing the cake from drying out. So the cake essentially bakes in a wet steam oven rather than dry air.
- Bake for about 50 to 60 minutes. When done the center should be almost set. Pro tip - It will continue to cook in the residue heat and will set further as it cools.
- Let cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes then cool completely before you wrap in plastic and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours or until ready to use. Pro tip - the cake will be slightly puffed up when just baked, but it will sink as it cools.
Chocolate Mousse
- Place a saucepan with 2-inches of water on medium heat. You will need 3 heat-proof bowls that can be set on the saucepan.
- Bowl 1 - In the first bowl, add the chocolate and butter. Place it over the saucepan with simmering water. Let the chocolate melt. Stirring when needed. Set aside to cool slightly. Pro tip - Chocolate can seize if any steam gets into it. So, keep the heat on medium to low and stir as necessary.7 oz Chocolate, 2 tablespoon Butter
- Bowl 2 - In the second bowl, add the egg yolks and 2 tablespoon of sugar. Combine well. Then, place it over the saucepan with simmering water. Using a whisk, stir continuously until all the sugar is melted and the yolks are barely warm. And set aside.Pro tip - You want the heat to be on medium to low (not high) to prevent the eggs from cooking. You don't need a thermometer but as a guide, it should be about 149 F.4 tablespoon Sugar, 4 Egg yolks
- and, Bowl 3 - In the third bowl, add the egg whites and the remaining 2 tablespoon of sugar. Place it over the saucepan with simmering water. Use a clean whisk to stir until all the sugar has melted. We want the mixture barely warm. Pro tip - Keep the heat medium to low (not high) to prevent the eggs from cooking. You don't need a thermometer but as a guide, it should be about 144 F.2 large Egg whites, ⅓ cup White sugar
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the whipping cream with vanilla extract to almost stiff peaks - And set aside.½ cup Whipping cream, 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- Using the same mixer and whisk attachment (no need to clean the bowl), whip the egg yolks until light and fluffy - set aside.
- Clean the mixer bowl and whisk attachment as we need a clean grease-free bowl. Then whip the egg whites to stiff peaks - And set aside.Pro tip - It is very important to clean the bowl and whisk as any grease will prevent the egg whites from whipping to a stiff meringue.2 large Egg whites
- CombineFirst, add the whipped yolks to the chocolate mixture - fold gently but don't overmix. Next, add the whipped cream to the chocolate mixture - fold gently but don't overmix.Finally, add the whipped egg whites to the chocolate mixture - fold gently until you have no white streaks.
Assemble
- Line a 9" springform pan with parchment paper on the bottom and a cake collar on the sides.
- Pour the chocolate mousse into the prepared pan. Then place the chilled chocolate insert in the mousse. Shake the pan and smooth the mousse around so it is a flat surface.Pro tip - chocolate insert is heavy so I prefer to place it on the bottom of the mousse cake but you can push it more towards the center if you prefer.
- Wrap the springform pan in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for at least 6 hours or overnight until firm Pro tip - make sure the pan is on a flat surface so the cake is leveled otherwise you will have a slanted mousse cake.
Mirror Glaze
- Add half the water in a small bowl with gelatin and let it soak for 3 to 5 mins to bloom. Pro tip - it is important that the gelatin soak well or it can give you a very grainy glaze.1½ tablespoon Gelatin, ½ cup Water
- In a heavy-based saucepan - add glucose, sugar, condensed milk, vanilla extract, and remaining water. Let come to a boil over low to medium heat.Pro tip - a heavy-bottom pan will prevent the condensed milk from scotching a the bottom. If it does do not scrape it as it will ruin the taste and texture of the glaze.¾ cup Glucose or light corn syrup, ¾ cup Sugar, 7 oz Sweetened Condensed milk, ½ cup Water
- Once all the sugar has dissolved - and the mixture has come to a nice slow boil. Take it off the heat. Let rest for a minute before you add the white chocolate.Pro tip - the reason we let it cool a minute is so that the white chocolate does not split as soon as it is added to the boiling mixture.7 oz White chocolate
- Next, add the soaked/bloomed gelatin - Let it meltPro tip -The heat in the mixture should be enough to melt the white chocolate.If not, use an immersion blender for just a few seconds
- Strain the mixture through a sieve or mesh. Pro tip - we strain to remove any undissolved gelatin or unmelted chocolate.
- Divide the glaze into the number of colors you need for your project. Color the glaze with food gel colors. I made ¼ cup water using titanium white gel food color and the rest I dyed into ice blue.
- Let the glaze come to almost room temperature between 90°to 95°FPro tip- You don't want the glaze too hot as it can melt the dessert, but also, not too thick. It should be a pouring consistency otherwise it will not flow down the dessert.
- Pouring the glaze - place the frozen cake on a cooling rack over a large plate or baking sheet so the excess will drip down on the cake. Pour the glaze in a circular motion starting with one or two colors based on the desired effect. Use an off-set spatula to blend the colors.Pro tip - If you have air bubbles in the mirror glaze, hold the glaze a bit higher so the bubbles disperse before they flow down to the cake.
- Thawing - The cake needs to thaw in the fridge for at least 4 to 6 hours so it's not hard when you serve.
Recipe Notes & Tips
- The chocolate you use will determine how delicious this cake turns out. Get a chocolate bar from the supermarket but pick one you would enjoy eating. NO cooking chocolate, and not compound chocolate!!
- Plan this dessert in advance so you have enough to do the necessary steps
- The chocolate torte does not need to be frozen hard but since it delicate chilling it for at least 3 hours will make it easier to handle.
- The mousse must be prepared only after the torte is chilled because once prepared it does start to set.
- The mousse cake must be frozen otherwise it will be difficult to mold out of the cake.
- Make sure the cake is frozen for a few hours so the glaze solidifies as soon as it hits the cold cake.
- The temperature of the glaze is important. You need the glaze to be pouring consistency at a temperature between 90 to 95 F.
- Glazes made with perishable ingredients like this one with condensed milk should always be refrigerated.
- Plan the colors you are going to use in advance and take note that both white chocolate, gelatine, and condensed milk are not white. So you are starting off with an off-white base. Some colors don't do well with this base. You may need more.
- Mirror glaze is not white so if you need white you will need to use white gel food color also called titanium oxide.
- Once glazed the cake must be left in the fridge to thaw so the moose is not too cold to cut.
- Other pans for this cake. You can also use a silicone mold to set the mousse as I did in my chocolate mousse heart cake
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
Stephen
Hi Veena,
I made this cake over the weekend. It was not a complete disaster, however, in retrospect I know where I made a few errors and have two questions before I make a second attempt. Is the Chocolate Mousse suppose to set fairly stiff, not chilled but in open air in the kitchen? One of my mistakes, I whipped some more cream and added it to the mousse, it was soft set and difficult to cut and serve. Another issue, when I was whisking the egg yolks, I whisked them over the steam until just warm, set aside and started the egg whites, I used a thermometer on the egg whites and brought to 144 F, when done I set on the counter and noticed the yolks had thinned and looked like oil. I put them back over the steam until 145 F, the yolks were very stiff and thick, they did not separate after that, is that the correct condition for the yolks, stiff and thick? I guess I have three questions, I know for a fact I mis-measured the condensed milk and golden syrup, too much, I did not change the units on the scale, other than real sticky, could that cause this mirror glaze to be rubbery, or do I need to back off on the gelatin? Any feed back will be greatly appreciated.
Veena Azmanov
Hey Stephen. Mousse is not supposed to be very stiff. But, yes, it must hold into shape. And, yes the yolks must be whipped to light and foamy. The yolks are what help the mousse set.
The gelatin is necessary to help it glaze set but yes, you can reduce it by a bit.
Stephen
Hello Veena,
I am going to attempt this recipe, this upcoming weekend. Leaf Gelatin is not readily available in my area. Can I use powdered gelatin as a substitute?
Veena Azmanov
Stephen, I have used powdered gelatin in this recipe. And the ingredients list says powdered gelatin. Thanks