I am sitting on my couch watching the Inauguration and feeling especially patriotic today. I love living in DC and it has been so fun to watch the preparations that go into an event of this caliber. Last weekend, we went to Old Ebbitt Grill which is right in front of the White House. We took the Metro because most of the streets were closed due to parade practice. It was really weird to see Pennsylvania Avenue without any cars on it. Flags are hanging from just about everything that a flag that can be hung from. It is really beautiful and there is an energy that you can feel here. I cannot imagine what it was like in 2009.
But you are here for the chocolate aren’t you? I have talked a few times about how raw eggs weird me out a little. But since I have started working with Safe Eggs, I have been using pasteurized eggs in places that call for raw egg, and I don’t give it a second thought. Real chocolate mousse always gave me pause, but no longer! This simple dessert is elegant, rich, and needs to be made ahead of time, so perfect for entertaining. I used white chocolate here, but you could use any chocolate you like. White chocolate can be tricky to work with. I buy Callebaut or Valrhona, it is worth the price tag. The cream cheese is not a traditional ingredient in mousse, but it helps to stabilize the mousse and adds a nice little tang to cut some of the sweetness of the white chocolate.
2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 vanilla bean, split and seeded
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 Safe Egg whites
1/4 cup sugar
8 ounces white chocolate (a high quality white chocolate makes all the difference)
Beat cream cheese and vanilla bean with an electric mixer. Add the cream and beat until combined. Set aside.
Melt white chocolate gently over a double boiler.
The eggs in this mousse are not cooked, so I use Safe Eggs that are pasteurized, just to be safe.
Place the egg whites and salt in a large bowl.
Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form, slowly add the sugar and set aside.
Fold the melted white chocolate into the cream cheese mixture.
Gently fold the egg whites into the cream cheese and chocolate. Fold until just combined.
Pour the mousse into small bowls or ramekins and chill for at least 2 hours.
Serve with fresh raspberries and a dusting of powdered sugar. This recipe is adapted from Saveur.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 vanilla bean, split and seeded
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 Safe Egg whites
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 8 ounces white chocolate (a high quality white chocolate makes all the difference)
Instructions
- Beat cream cheese and vanilla bean with an electric mixer. Add the cream and beat until combined. Set aside.
- Melt white chocolate gently over a double boiler.
- Place the egg whites and salt in a large bowl. Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form, slowly add the sugar and set aside.
- Fold the melted white chocolate into the cream cheese mixture. Gently fold the egg whites into the cream cheese and chocolate. Fold until just combined.
- Pour the mousse into small bowls or ramekins and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve with fresh raspberries and a dusting of powdered sugar.
**I am a Brand Ambassador for Safe Eggs, and have been paid for this post. All opinions are my own.**
I am Bree. I love to cook. Even more than I love to take pictures.
Your photos are so white and beautiful! It’s snowing here in the UK and they look just like the world outside
thelittleloaf recently posted..Chocolate Espresso Mousse Pots
Thank you! Jealous of your snow~
Cant even tell you how good this looks. I am a white chocolate addict… and you are like a drug right now.
Man that sounds creepy.
Amanda recently posted..Rejection and Forgiveness
LOL! I adore white chocolate. I think that is gets a bad rap, and we should campaign for everyone to love it as much as we do.
Love this one, Bree! I’m a fool for vanilla and for white chocolate
Katrina @ In Katrina’s Kitchen recently posted..Cake Mix Cookie Cakes
Me too! I really don’t love chocolate that much, but white? Cannot say no.
This mousse is so gorgeous! Love this recipe Bree!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar recently posted..Smokey Vegan Mac and Cheese
Thank you Katrina! I like this one a lot too. I am a huge white chocolate fan.
Beautiful photos Bree! I can only imagine how much more amazing it is to be near DC during events like this.
I’m kind of jealous.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel recently posted..Barbecue Chicken French Bread Pizza
It is amazing! I love the energy here.
Mmmm this must be great! Water in my mouth already.
Saved… defenilty making this one soon!
Brenda (Kookt!) recently posted..It’s a Wrap! A Kip-Cajun Wrap!
I hope that you do!
This recipe looks really incredible! And the photos are just stunning
Carla @ Carlas Confections recently posted..Sweet & Salty Carmel Popcorn Snack Mix
Thank you Carla!
This is stunning, Bree! I miss living near DC. We lived in Fredericksburg for a few years and I loved going up to DC on the weekends. After watching the inauguration today I wish we were back in that area.
Jennifer | Mother Thyme recently posted..Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal Muffins (dairy free, egg free)
Thank you Jennifer! I have a few Fredericksburg restaurants on my list! Love the V brothers!
Absolutely gorgeous photography! Simply stunning
xo Emily @ Hungry Delights
Emily @ Hungry Delights recently posted..WIAW – Surviving the flu
I’m not a huge fan of white chocolate, but I have to admit back in my high school days when I worked at a TCBY, the white chocolate mousse fro yo flavor was my favorite. I may have to try this recipe soon…
Beautiful photos of the mousse…I can practically taste it off the screen!
-m
Meaghan recently posted..Chicken Fajitas
Thank you Meaghan!
[...] 7 Comments January 21, 2013 [...]
These look absolutely stunning! I had no idea there was even a ‘safe egg’. Now, I’m going to have to give it a try!
Caroline @ chocolate & carrots recently posted..Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake Bars
Anyway I could make this vegan? lol
You can make a vegan chocolate mousse pretty easily with coconut milk, but I am not sure how it would work with white chocolate. White chocolate is incredibly temperamental to work with.
Pretty!
Shiloh Barkley recently posted..Blueberry Danish Cake
[...] Row Right: Image via Ana-Rosa. Second Row Left: Image via Homing Scrap. Second Row Right: Image via Baked Bree. Third Row Left: Image via Snippet And Ink. Third Row Right: Image via Martha Stewart Weddings. [...]