Mousse In The Middle Cake Recipes

ALMOST-FAMOUS CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Prepare the cake mix as the label directs for a 9-by-13-inch cake. Bake; cool slightly in the pan, then invert onto a rack to cool completely.
• Clean out the cake pan and line it with plastic wrap. Cut the cake in half lengthwise, then in thirds crosswise to make 6 rectangles. Using a serrated knife, slice each rectangle in half to make two layers. Arrange half of the pieces snugly in the cake pan. Crumble the remaining pieces and press tightly into 6 small balls; arrange 1 cake ball in the center of each cake rectangle in the pan.
• Make the mousse: Heat the chocolate, butter, coffee and 1/4 cup water in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water), stirring, until melted. Remove the bowl from the pan; stir until cool. Reserve the simmering water. Fill a large bowl with ice water.
• Whisk the egg yolks, 1 1/2 cups sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a separate large heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over the saucepan of simmering water and whisk until pale yellow, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the chocolate-coffee mixture and the vanilla and whisk until combined, about 2 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan and set in the bowl of ice water; whisk until slightly cool but not thick, about 4 minutes.
• Beat the egg whites and salt in a bowl with a mixer until foamy. Add 2 tablespoons sugar and beat until almost stiff; gently fold into the chocolate-yolk mixture to make a dark chocolate mousse. Spread 5 cups over the cake and cake balls. Freeze until firm on top, about 30 minutes.
• Beat the heavy cream and the remaining 4 tablespoons sugar until soft peaks form; fold into the remaining mousse. Remove the cake from the freezer; spread with the light chocolate mousse, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Make the chocolate shell: Stir the chocolate, heavy cream and 4 tablespoons corn syrup in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) until melted. A spoonful at a time, spread half of the shell mixture over the frozen mousse. Return to the freezer.
• Make the chocolate sauce: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon corn syrup and the butter to the remaining chocolate shell mixture. Microwave 30 seconds, then stir until glossy.
• To serve the cake, beat the heavy cream with a mixer until foamy. Add the sugar and beat until soft peaks form. Remove the cake from the freezer; invert onto a baking sheet and unmold, then invert again onto a platter, chocolate shell-side up.
• Cut the cake in half lengthwise using a warm knife, then cut into thirds crosswise to make 6 rectangles; cut each rectangle in half diagonally to make 2 triangles. Top each triangle with whipped cream, ice cream and the prepared chocolate sauce.

MIRROR GLAZE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Start by making the mousse layer. Grease a 16cm hemisphere tin with sunflower oil. Soak the gelatine in cold water to soften it. Meanwhile, whip the cream until billowy and just holding its shape, but not stiff. Put the lemon curd in a pan with the lemon juice, stir until smooth then bring to the boil. Take off the heat and leave to cool for 1 min then squeeze the excess water from the gelatine and add to the curd mixture, stir until the gelatine has dissolved then pour into the whipped cream. Beat until the mixture is smooth then pour it into your prepared hemisphere mould. Chill in the fridge for 1 hr or until set.
• While the mousse is setting make the sponge base. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line a swiss roll tin with baking parchment and grease well with butter. Whisk the eggs and sugar together with an electric hand whisk for 2-3 mins or until thickened and pale.
• Fold the flour, baking powder and lemon zest into the egg mixture with a large metal spoon until there are no pockets of flour visible. Gently tip the mixture into your prepared Swiss roll tin and bake in the oven for 15 mins or until lightly golden and springy to the touch. Allow to cool then cut a circle out of the sponge mixture which is big enough to fit snugly into your hemisphere tin on top of the mousse.
• When the sponge is completely cold, spread it with the lemon curd and sit in on top of the set mousse (curd side down) and press down very gently so it sticks. Carefully turn the mousse cake out of the mould so that the mousse is now at the top, and sit it on a wire rack on top of a baking tray. Put the mousse cake in the freezer while you make the mirror glaze.
• To make the mirror glaze soak the gelatine leaves in cold water while you heat up the curd and lemon juice in a small pan. Add the strip of lemon zest and bring to the boil. Take it off the heat and allow to cool for 1 min then remove the lemon zest, and add the gelatine as before, squeezing out the excess water first. Pour the glaze through a sieve into a jug and stir occasionally as it cools. When it has cooled down and is starting to thicken, but can still be poured, take the mousse cake out of the freezer and pour all of the glaze slowly over the surface. The excess will run off into the tray below the wire rack - this is meant to happen. You can then pour it back into the jug and glaze again if you like.
• Softly whip the cream for the decoration, and transfer to a piping bag then pipe dots or spirals tightly a long the edge where the sponge meets the mousse cake. Cut the lemon slices in half and place them in the middle to decorate. Keep in the fridge until you want to serve it. Can be made the day before.

LEMON MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans; line with parchment. Butter parchment, then dust with flour, tapping out excess. Whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla seeds.
• In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt on low speed until well combined. Continue beating while gradually adding butter until mixture is crumbly, about 3 minutes.
• Slowly add half of milk mixture; increase speed to medium and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Slowly add remaining half of milk mixture, scraping down bowl as needed. Add lemon zest. Beat until incorporated, about 1 minute more.
• Remove bowl from mixer; divide batter evenly between prepared pans, spreading to edges using a small offset spatula. Tap pans on counter to release any air bubbles. Bake until golden brown and a tester inserted in centers comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer pans to a wire rack; let cool completely. Turn cakes out of pans and remove parchment.
• Filling: Sprinkle gelatin over water; let stand until softened, about 5 minutes. Whisk together yolks, sugar, and lemon zest and juice in a small, heavy saucepan. Cook, whisking constantly, over medium-low heat, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat; add gelatin mixture, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved and mixture is slightly cool. Add butter a few pieces at a time, stirring well after each addition, until smooth. Using a rubber spatula, press filling through a fine sieve into a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto surface to prevent skin from forming, and refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours and up to overnight. Stir filling; gently fold in whipped cream. Refrigerate 1 hour. Stir before using.
• Using a serrated knife, split each cake horizontally into two equal layers. Place a cake layer, bottom-side down, on a serving platter. Spread 1 heaping cup filling evenly over it. Repeat process with two more cake layers. Top with remaining cake layer, bottom-side up. Refrigerate while you make meringue.
• Meringue: Combine sugar, egg whites, and salt in the heatproof bowl of a mixer set over (not in) a pot of simmering water. Whisk until sugar is dissolved and mixture is warm to the touch and feels completely smooth when rubbed between fingertips, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer bowl to mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; whisk on low speed until foamy. Increase speed to medium-high and whisk until stiff, glossy peaks form and mixture has cooled completely, about 10 minutes. Add vanilla, cornstarch, and vinegar; whisk until incorporated, about 1 minute more.
• Assembly: Evenly spread top and sides of cake with a 1/2-inch thickness of meringue, smoothing with an offset spatula. Transfer remaining meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a 3/4-inch round tip. Position tip parallel to top of cake, about 1 inch from edge. Pipe meringue, using an even amount of pressure and dragging tip along surface of cake and down side of cake, on the diagonal, and working from right to left. Continue piping, rotating cake, to cover completely.
• Using a kitchen torch, move flame back and forth along top edge of meringue until evenly browned. Top with raspberries just before serving.

MOUSSE-IN-THE-MIDDLE CAKE

Steps:

• CAKE: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar, butter, salt and flavorings until fluffy. Beat in the oil, then the eggs, one at a time, beating till the mixture is very fluffy. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, Instant ClearJel(r) and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the butter and egg mixture alternately with the milk, beating until well-combined, about 2 minutes.
• Lightly grease and flour both halves of the filled cake set, and divide the batter between them. (You may also prepare this cake in two regular 9 x 2-inch round cake pans.) Bake the cake in a preheated 350°F oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until the edges have started to pull away from the sides of the pan. Cool the cake for 15 minutes before removing it from the pans.
• Filling: Follow the directions on the package to prepare the mousse. Divide the mousse between the two halves of the cake, then invert the top half over the bottom half (you're forming a tunnel for the filling here).
• Glaze: In a small bowl in the microwave, or a small saucepan set over low heat, prepare the glaze by melting together the cream and chocolate. Drizzle it over the cake.

NO-BAKE LEMON MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by flipping the base so that the lip is on the bottom of the
• pan and then latch the pan in place. Spray the inside lightly with nonstick spray.
• For the crust: Combine the cookie crumbs and lemon zest in a medium bowl and toss to combine. Add the butter and toss to combine. Press the mixture firmly over the bottom of the prepared pan. Set aside.
• For the mousse: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the cream on medium-high speed until medium peaks form. Transfer the cream to a separate large bowl and set aside.
• Combine the mascarpone, confectioners' sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon extract, vanilla and salt in the same bowl used to whip the cream. Beat on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape the bowl and whisk attachment and continue to beat until thoroughly combined, about 30 seconds longer. Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a rubber spatula to fold about a third of the whipped cream into the mascarpone cream. Fold the remaining cream into the mascarpone mixture in thirds.
• For assembly: Spread a third of the lemon mousse over the crumb crust. Arrange half of the ladyfingers in a single layer over the mousse. Add another third of the mousse and spread it evenly over the top. Add another layer of lady fingers. Spread the remaining mousse over the ladyfingers and smooth the top. Refrigerate the cake at least 6 hours or overnight.
• To serve, gently run a spatula between the mousse and the edge of the springform pan. Unlatch the pan and slide the cake off the base and onto a serving platter (or serve the cake right from the springform bottom). Smooth the sides of the cake with an offset spatula if desired. Sprinkle the coarsely crushed cookie crumbs in a ring around the outer edge of the top of the cake. Serve chilled.

BAKED CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Mix boiling water and cocoa powder for cake together in a small mixing bowl until smooth. Let cool, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, sift flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the center, pour in oil, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and cooled cocoa mixture. Mix using a wooden spoon just until smooth.
• Sprinkle cream of tartar over egg whites in a large mixing bowl. Beat using an electric mixer on high speed until very stiff peaks form. Pour cake batter over egg white mixture and fold gently using a whisk with an under-and-over motion; be sure not to overmix, but to also fully incorporate ingredients. Pour batter into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cake cool in the pan for 1 1/2 hours. Loosen with a spatula and transfer to a plate.
• Add cold water to a glass bowl and sprinkle gelatin on top; allow to soften. Place bowl over a saucepan filled with simmering water. Heat and stir until gelatin is fully dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
• Combine heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, cocoa, vanilla extract, and salt in a large bowl. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Beat mixture using an electric mixer until stiff; keep mousse in refrigerator until needed.
• Cut a 1-inch slice crosswise from the top of the cooled cake and set aside. Outline a cavity in the cake using a sharp knife, leaving 1-inch walls around cake side and bottom. Carefully remove cake from the cavity using a spoon; reserve.
• Measure 2 1/2 cups of mousse filling and fold in gelatin. Fill the cake cavity and replace top of cake. Mix 1/2 cup filling with cake crumbs and fill center hole of cake. Frost the top and sides with remaining filling. Refrigerate until set, 2 to 3 hours.

IRISH CREAM CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Mousse:
• Whisk eggs and sugar in large metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) and whisk constantly until candy thermometer registers 160°F., about 5 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Using electric mixer, beat egg mixture until cool and very thick, about 10 minutes.
• Place chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water; stir until melted and smooth. Remove chocolate from over water. Cool to luke warm.
• Combine cream and Irish cream liqueur in medium bowl; beat to stiff peaks. Pour luke warm melted chocolate over egg mixture and fold together. Fold in cream mixture. Cover and chill until set, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Syrup:
• Combine sugar and water in small saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and bring to boil. Remove from heat. Mix in whiskey. Cool. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.)
• Cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Line bottom with parchment paper. Using electric mixer, beat eggs, sugar, espresso powder and salt in large bowl until mixture thickens and slowly dissolving ribbon forms when beaters are lifted, about 8 minutes. Sift 1/3 of flour over and gently fold into egg mixture. Repeat 2 more times (do not overmix or batter may deflate.)
• Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool cake completely in pan on rack.
• Run small sharp knife around pan sides to loosen cake. Release pan sides. Turn out cake. Remove pan bottom. Peel off parchment. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Wrap cake in plastic and chill.)
• Assembly:
• Using serrated knife, cut cake horizontally into 3 layers. Place bottom cake layer on platter. Brush with 3 tablespoons syrup. Spread 2 cups mousse over. Top with second cake layer. Brush with 3 tablespoons syrup. Spread 2 cups mousse over. Top with third cake layer, cut side down. Brush with 3 tablespoons syrup. Spread remaining mousse over top and sides of cake. Refrigerate cake while preparing chocolate bands.
• Chocolate Bands:
• Line large baking sheet with foil and set aside. Place another large sheet of foil on work surface; top with waxed paper strips, spacing apart. Stir chopped semisweet chocolate and vegetable shortening in heavy small saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Pour half of melted chocolate down center of each waxed paper strip. Using metal icing spatula, spread chocolate to cover strips evenly and completely, allowing some chocolate to extend beyond edges of paper strips. Using fingertips, lift strips and place on clean foil-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate just until chocolate begins to set but is still very flexible, about 2 minutes.
• Remove chocolate bands from refrigerator. Using fingertips, lift 1 band from foil. With chocolate side next to cake, place band around side of cake; press gently to adhere (band will be higher than cake). Repeat with second chocolate band, pressing onto uncovered side of cake so that ends of chocolate bands just meet (if ends overlap, use scissors to trim any excess paper and chocolate). Refrigerate until chocolate sets, about 5 minutes. Gently peel off paper. Refrigerate cake.
• Chocolate curls:
• Line baking sheet with foil. Unwrap 1 square of chocolate. Place chocolate on its paper wrapper in microwave. Cook on High just until chocolate begins to soften slightly, about 1 minute (time will vary depending on power of microwave). Turn chocolate square onto 1 side and hold in hand. Working over foil-lined sheet, pull vegetable peeler along sides of chocolate, allowing chocolate curls to fall gently onto foil. Form as many curls as possible. Repeat process with remaining chocolate squares. Place curls decoratively atop cake, mounding slightly. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Refrigerate cake.)
• Sift powdered sugar over chocolate curls before serving cake.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake:.
• Adjust the oven rack to the middle of the oven and heat to 350ºF. Lightly grease and flour 1 8-inch springform pan. Tap out any excess flour.
• Place the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl. Bring water to a boil and pour it over the chocolate. Stir with a silicone spatula until the chocolate is melted and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the coffee granules and cocoa powder. Whisk until smooth. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar and stir until thick and glossy, about 2 minutes.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and remaining sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and egg yolks, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. Add the chocolate mixture and mix until thoroughly combined.
• In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir with a whisk. Add half of the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture, followed by the buttermilk, mixing until incorporated. Add remaining flour mixture and mix until the batter is thoroughly combined.
• Spread the batter into the bottom of the prepared pan, smoothing it to the edges with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool to room temperature in the pan on a wire rack.
• Make the mousse:.
• In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over water, let stand for 5 minutes. Place chocolate and sugar in a medium bowl. Bring 1/2 cup of the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat; add the softened gelatin and stir until fully dissolved. Pour the cream over the chocolate and whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. The mixture will thicken slightly.
• In the bowl a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the remaining 1 cup cream at medium speed until it begins to thicken, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to high and whip until soft peaks form, about 30 to 60 seconds. Use a whisk to mix in 1/3 of the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Use a rubber spatula to fold the remaining whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until no streaks appear. Spoon the chocolate mousse into the pan over the chocolate cake. Smooth the top with an offset spatula. Return the cake to the refrigerator and chill until set, about 2 hours.
• Make the ganache:.
• Heat the cream and butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat just before it begins to boil. Place the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Cool to room temperature. Spread the ganache over the top of the mousse layer and refrigerate until set. About 45 minutes.
• Run a knife along the outer edge of the cake to loosen it from the pan and gently remove from the pan. Serve with whipped cream or fresh berries.
• Notes.
• Total time does not reflect the time needed for the mousse and ganache to set. Please allow 3 extra hours for this.