Chocolate Pumpkin Mousse

This no-bake dessert combines melted dark chocolate, pumpkin puree, and warm spice into a smooth mousse that sets in the refrigerator. A portion of the whipped cream is folded into the base for lightness, and the rest is reserved for topping so each serving finishes with a clean cream cap and chocolate shavings.

By Julienne

Cook time: 5 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 170 g dark chocolate, chopped for melting
• 60 ml heavy cream divided
• 240 g pumpkin puree unsweetened
• 45 g granulated sugar
• 5 ml vanilla extract
• 1 g ground cinnamon
• 0.5 g ground nutmeg
• 1 g fine salt
• 300 ml heavy cream divided
• 15 g powdered sugar
• 15 g dark chocolate shavings for garnish

Instructions

1. Set out 6 dessert glasses or ramekins. In a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, melt the chopped dark chocolate with 60 ml of the heavy cream, stirring until smooth. Remove from the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes; the mixture should be fluid but no longer hot. The chocolate mixture is smooth, glossy, and warm rather than hot.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until completely smooth. Stir in the melted chocolate mixture until evenly combined. The base is uniform, thick, and streak-free.
3. In a clean bowl, whip the remaining 300 ml heavy cream with the powdered sugar to medium peaks. Scoop out about 120 ml of the whipped cream and reserve it for topping; fold the remaining whipped cream into the chocolate-pumpkin base in two additions until no white streaks remain. The whipped cream holds medium peaks, and the mousse is airy and evenly colored after folding.
4. Divide the mousse among the glasses. Spoon the reserved whipped cream over the top of each portion and finish with chocolate shavings. The mousse is softly set and each glass has a visible whipped cream topping with chocolate shavings in place.
5. Refrigerate the filled glasses for at least 1 hour, or until the mousse is softly set and holds its shape when spooned, before serving. The mousse is chilled through and softly set, not runny.