Best Chocolate Mousse Torte Recipes

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TORTE

Steps:

• Pulse cookies in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Add melted butter; pulse until combined. Press onto bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Refrigerate while preparing filling., In a small saucepan, sprinkle 2 teaspoons gelatin over 1 tablespoon cold water; let stand 1 minute. Heat and stir over low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved; remove from heat., Place bittersweet chocolate and 1/2 cup cream in a metal bowl over a small saucepan of hot water; heat and stir until mixture is smooth. Stir in gelatin mixture. Transfer to a medium bowl; cool completely. Repeat twice with milk and white chocolates., In a large bowl, beat vanilla and remaining 3 cups cream until stiff peaks form. Fold 2 cups whipped cream (a third of the total whipped cream) into cooled bittersweet chocolate; spread over crust. Refrigerate until set, 25-30 minutes. Repeat twice with milk and white chocolates, keeping remaining whipped cream chilled until needed., Refrigerate torte, covered, until set, about 4 hours. To serve, loosen sides from pan with a knife. Carefully remove rim from pan.

FROZEN WHITE CHOCOLATE AND RASPBERRY MOUSSE TORTE

Steps:

• For crust:
• Finely grind cookie pieces in processor. Add butter; blend until crumbs are moist. Press mixture onto bottom and halfway up sides of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Freeze while preparing mousse.
• For mousse:
• Place liqueur in heavy medium saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over liqueur; let stand until gelatin softens, about 20 minutes.
• Press raspberries firmly through sieve into large measuring cup. Add enough reserved juices to puree in cup to measure 1 2/3 cups berry mixture. Add berry mixture and 1/2 cup sugar to gelatin mixture. Stir over medium-low heat just until sugar and gelatin dissolve, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add white chocolate; stir until melted. Transfer raspberry mixture to large bowl. Chill until thick but not set, stirring often, about 2 hours.
• Beat cream, powdered sugar and vanilla in bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold cream into raspberry mixture in 3 additions. Transfer mousse to crust; smooth top. Freeze until firm, at least 6 hours. (Can be made 4 days ahead. Cover; freeze.)
• Cut around pan sides; release pan sides. Place torte on platter. Arrange raspberries around top edge of torte. Decorate with Chocolate Leaves.

TRIPLE-CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TORTE

Steps:

• Brush 9-inch-diameter springform pan with oil. Place each chocolate in separate medium bowl. Combine 1/4 cup water and gelatin in small bowl. Let stand until gelatin softens, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, beat yolks and sugar in large bowl until mixture is pale yellow and very thick, about 5 minutes. Bring half and half just to simmer in heavy large saucepan. Gradually whisk hot half and half into beaten egg mixture. Return mixture to same saucepan. Stir over medium heat until custard thickens and leaves path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across, about 3 minutes (do not boil). Remove custard from heat. Add softened gelatin; stir until gelatin dissolves. Strain mixture into large glass measuring cup. Immediately pour 1/3 of hot custard over each. Stir each chocolate with separate spoon until melted and smooth. If mixture cools before chocolate is completely melted, set bowl over saucepan of simmering water and stir just until chocolate melts. Cool chocolate mixtures to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
• Beat cream in large bowl until stiff peaks form. Divide whipped cream equally among bowls of chocolate, using about 1 1/3 cups cream for each. Fold whipped cream into chocolate in each bowl.
• Pour bittersweet chocolate mixture into bottom of prepared pan. Smooth top with spatula. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes. Pour milk chocolate mixture over bittersweet chocolate layer. Smooth top with spatula. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes. Pour white chocolate mixture over milk chocolate mixture. Smooth top with spatula. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes. (Torte can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover with plastic and store in refrigerate.)
• Run sharp knife around sides of pan. Remove pan sides. Cut torte into wedges and serve.

CHOCOLATE CHESTNUT TORTE WITH CHOCOLATE COGNAC MOUSSE

Steps:

• Make ganache:
• Bring cream and butter to a simmer in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan, then reduce heat to low. Whisk in chocolate until smooth and remove from heat. Transfer ganache to a bowl and chill, covered, stirring every 30 minutes, until thickened but spreadable, about 2 hours. (If ganache becomes too stiff, let stand at room temperature until slightly softened.)
• Make cake layers while ganache chills:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter cake pans and line bottom of each with a round of parchment or wax paper. Butter paper and dust pans with flour, knocking out excess flour.
• Pulse chestnuts with flour, baking soda, and salt in a food processor until finely ground.
• Beat butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes in a standing mixer or about 6 minutes with a handheld. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla (mixture will look a little separated). Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture and sour cream alternately in 3 batches, beginning and ending with flour and mixing until just combined.
• Divide batter evenly among pans and bake in middle of oven until pale golden and springy to the touch, about 30 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks, then invert onto racks and remove parchment.
• Make mousse and assemble torte:
• Melt butter and chocolate in a double boiler or a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth, and stir in Cognac. Transfer to a bowl and chill, covered, stirring occasionally, until thickened to the consistency of softened butter, about 1 hour. (If mixture becomes too stiff, let stand at room temperature until softened.)
• Beat cream in a bowl with cleaned beaters until it just holds soft peaks, then chill, covered, while beginning to assemble torte.
• Put 1 cake layer on cardboard round on a rack set in a shallow baking pan (1 inch deep). Spread 1/2 cup ganache evenly over top of layer and sprinkle with all of chopped marrons glacés. Top marrons glacés with another 1/4 cup ganache and cover with another cake layer.
• Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt using cleaned beaters at medium-high speed until they just hold soft peaks. Add sugar and beat at high speed until whites just hold stiff peaks. Stir whipped cream into chocolate Cognac mixture, then stir in one third of whites to lighten. Fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Spoon mousse immediately onto cake layer (it sets quickly), spreading evenly, then top with third cake layer. Chill torte, covered, until mousse layer is firm, about 1 hour. Keep remaining ganache at a spreadable consistency at room temperature, chilling, covered, if it becomes too soft.
• Glaze cake:
• Reserve 1 1/4 cups ganache in a metal bowl, then spread remainder over top and side of torte to seal in crumbs. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.
• Set bowl of reserved ganache over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring until ganache reaches a pourable consistency. Remove bowl from heat and cool 5 minutes. Pour ganache evenly over top of torte, making sure it coats all of side. Shake rack gently to smooth glaze (let excess drip into baking pan). Transfer cake on cardboard to a cake stand or plate using 2 large heavy metal spatulas and chill until set. Garnish just before serving.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TORTE

Steps:

• To make the sour cream cake: butter and flour an 8 or 9 inch cake pan and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Sift together the cake flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the egg yolks and the vanilla. In a measuring jug, whisk the sour cream and the milk together until smooth. Add the dry ingredients and the sour cream mixture alternately to the creamed butter mixture, ending with the milk mixture. Fold in the egg whites, then pour into the prepared pan. Bake on the center rack of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 5 minutes, then unmold onto a plate and continue cooling to room temperature. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you are ready to finish the cake.
• To make the almond praline: preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and the water over low heat. Stir together until the sugar has melted, then increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat. In a mixing bowl, combine the sliced almonds with the sugar syrup and toss until well coated. With a slotted spoon, transfer the nuts to a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake until golden, about 10 to 15 minutes. Let the nuts cool and break them apart. The nuts should remain whole but be coated with a sugary golden coating.
• To make the chocolate mousse: chill a bowl and the beaters of an electric mixer in the freezer for 1 hour. Meanwhile, in a double boiler, melt the chocolates over simmering water and stir in the cinnamon. In the frozen mixing bowl, whip the cream to soft peaks (do not over beat). Remove the double boiler insert holding the melted chocolate from the pan. With a rubber spatula, fold 1/4 of the whipped cream into the chocolate. Fold the remaining cold cream into the chocolate mixture, 1/4 at a time, mixing it as little as possible just to get it all incorporated.
• When ready to assemble the torte, cut the sour cream cake in half horizontally with a long sharp knife. Place 1 layer of the cake on a serving plate and spread a thick layer of mousse on top of it. Sandwich the second layer over the top and spread a mounded layer of mouse over the top. Spread a layer of mousse around the edges, covering the cake completely. Gently press the sugared almonds into the mousse evenly around the edges of the cake. Using a very sharp vegetable peeler, shave long thick curls of chocolate over the top of the cake and serve immediately.

MAIDA HEATTER'S CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TORTE

Steps:

• Set a rack in the center of the oven. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch glass pie plate. Dust it with bread crumbs or cocoa powder. Set aside.
• Place the chopped chocolate in the top of a small double boiler over water over low heat. Bring it to a low simmer. Meanwhile, in a cup or small bowl, dissolve the coffee in the 1/4 cup boiling water and pour it over the chocolate. Cover and cook over low heat, whisking occasionally, until the chocolate is almost melted. Remove from heat and continue to stir until smooth. Let cool slightly. (Alternatively, place chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Dissolve the coffee in the boiling water and pour it over the chocolate. Cover with a plate or kitchen towel and let stand for 5 minutes. Vigorously whisk until the chocolate is melted and smooth. If there are still bits of unmelted chocolate, microwave in 15-second bursts, whisking between, until smooth and fully melted.)
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the yolks at high speed until they are pale, thick and lemon-colored, about 5 minutes. Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue to beat at high speed for 5 minutes more until very thick. Reduce speed to low, and add the vanilla and cooled chocolate, scraping the sides of the mixing bowl as necessary. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl. Wash the whisk attachment and mixing bowl.
• In the mixing bowl of the electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites with the salt until stiff but not dry. Gradually, in two or three small additions, gently fold half the egg whites into the chocolate, then fold the chocolate mixture into the remaining whites just until no whites show. Handling as little as possible, gently reserve about 4 cups of the mousse in a separate medium bowl; cover and refrigerate.
• Transfer the rest of the mousse into the pie plate; it will barely reach the top. Gently level and bake for 25 minutes. Turn off the heat, then leave it in the oven for 5 minutes more. Remove from oven and cool on a rack. (The mousse will rise during baking and then, while cooling, it will sink in the middle, leaving a high rim.) Wash the mixing bowl and whisk attachment and place in the refrigerator or freezer to chill.
• When the baked mousse is completely cool, remove reserved mousse from refrigerator. Handling as little as possible, transfer the chilled mousse to the center of the baked mousse. Mound it slightly higher in the center, but be careful to handle as little as possible or it will lose the air beaten into it. Refrigerate for at least 2 to 3 hours.
• Make the whipped cream: In the chilled mixing bowl with the chilled whisk attachment, whip the cream, confectioners' sugar and vanilla on high speed until it holds a defined shape. Spread over the unbaked part of the mousse, excluding the rim; refrigerate. (Another way of applying the whipped cream: Use a pastry bag fitted with a medium star tube and pipe a lattice pattern over the top of the pie and a border around the edge.) Coarsely grate some semisweet chocolate over the top before serving, if desired. The torte is best eaten the day it's made, but it's not bad the next day.

CHOCOLATE MOCHA MOUSSE TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan.) Spray two 9-inch cake pans with baking spray with flour.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, sour cream, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed until moistened, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in 3/4 cup ground almonds. Pour into pans.
• Bake 33 to 41 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Refrigerate layers 45 minutes before slicing.
• Meanwhile, place chocolate in medium bowl. In 2-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream just to boiling. Pour hot cream over chocolate; let stand until mixture is melted and smooth when stirred. Using whisk, beat in espresso powder and sugar. Refrigerate chocolate mixture 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until cold. Beat cold chocolate mixture with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Cut each cake layer horizontally into 2 layers. (To cut, mark side of cake with toothpicks and cut with long, thin knife.) On serving plate, place 1 bottom cake layer, cut side up, frost top with about one-fourth of the mousse. Repeat with second and third layers. Top with remaining cake layer and mousse. Sprinkle sliced almonds around top edge of cake. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or until firm enough to easily cut before serving. Store covered in refrigerator.

SEBASTIANS CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY MOUSSE CAKE TORTE

Steps:

• Devil's Food Cake.
• Method of Preparation.
• Using a stand mixer or a bowl and whisk, mix all the dry ingredients and oil together.
• Add eggs one at a time.
• Add hot coffee or water in 3 stages, mixing well each time, and scraping the bowl each time.
• Pour onto a greased sheet pan and spread evenly.
• Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.
• Tart Raspberry Mouse.
• Method of Preparation.
• Bloom gelatin, and set aside.
• Heat Raspberry Jam in a small sauce pan.
• Add the gelatin to the heated jam.
• Cool on ice.
• Whip Cream and fold into chilled raspberry jam mixture.
• Drunken Raspberries.
• Method of Preparation.
• Place cleaned raspberries in a bowl, pour Chambord over the raspberries and toss in sugar.
• Allow to sit at room temperature.
• Raspberry Garnishes.
• Method of Preparation.
• Melt chocolate and put into a piping bag.
• Pipe into the raspberries and chill.
• Assembly.
• Use 3" ring molds to cut out 20 pieces of cake.
• Place 4 drunken raspberries around the edges of the ring mold, on top of the cake.
• Pipe or pour raspberry mousse into the mold to the top.
• Gently tap the side of the mold with the handle of a wooden spoon to settle the mousse.
• Freeze the cakes for 20 minutes or until set.
• Un-mold and garnish with chocolate filled raspberries.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TORTE

Steps:

• Make mousse: Put chocolate in a large bowl, and set aside. Heat 1 1/2 cups cream over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan until cream is steaming and small bubbles form on edges.
• Pour cream over chocolate. Stir until mixture is smooth. Let cool completely.
• Put remaining 1 1/2 cups cream and the sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, fold whipped cream into chocolate mixture, one-third at a time.
• Assemble torte: Line a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving an overhang on sides. Spread enough mousse (3/4 to 1 cup) over bottom of pan to cover. Arrange 5 cookies on top in a single layer to cover, breaking them to fit as necessary. Spread enough mousse (3/4 to 1 cup) on top to cover; smooth into an even layer. Repeat process with remaining cookies and mousse until pan is full.
• Press plastic wrap directly onto surface, and refrigerate torte until firm, at least 3 hours or up to 2 days.
• Remove plastic wrap from surface. Invert torte onto a serving plate; unmold, using overhang to coax it out. Remove plastic wrap. Dust with cocoa.

WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TORTE

Steps:

• Line the base of a 23cm (9 in) round spring form tin with greaseproof paper.
• Melt the butter and stir in the biscuit crumbs. Press into prepared tin and chill for 15 minutes.
• Break chocolate into small pieces and place in saucepan with half the cream. Heat very gently, stirring occasionally until almost smooth - be careful not to overheat as it will solidify again.
• Pour into a bowl and cool for 15 mins or until just beginning to thicken. Stir occasionally.
• Whip the remainder of the cream until it forms soft peaks. Fold into the cool chocolate mixture.
• Pour over the biscuit base and chill for at least 3 hrs, preferably overnight. Sprinkle with icing sugar/cocoa powder, cut into squares and press a raspberry into the centre of each square.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TORTE

Steps:

• Combine the first three ingredients; press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes. Cool. Place each flavor of chocolate in a separate bowl; set aside. In another bowl, sprinkle gelatin over water; let stand for 1 minute or until softened., In a small bowl, beat egg yolks on high speed for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually whisk in half-and-half. , Transfer to a large saucepan; cook and stir over medium heat until a thermometer reads 160° and mixture has thickened, about 3 minutes., Remove from the heat; stir in gelatin until dissolved. Immediately pour a third of the egg mixture over each flavor of chocolate; quickly stir each until melted. Cool for 10 minutes. , In a large bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold a third of the whipped cream into each bowl. Pour bittersweet chocolate mixture into prepared pan. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes. Repeat with milk chocolate mixture, then white chocolate mixture., To serve, carefully run a sharp a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Remove side of pan. Garnish if desired by drizzling with melted chocolate to create pine boughs and topping with chocolate Almond Pinecones.

WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TORTE WITH OREO COOKIE CRUST

Steps:

• Crust:.
• Butter 10" springform pan.
• Finely grind cookies in food processor; add melted butter and blend until combined. Press crust mixture into the bottom of prepared pan.
• Bring cream to a simmer in a heavy medium saucepan. Reduce heat to low; add chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Pour chocolate mixture over crust. Chill.
• Filling:.
• Combine white chocolate and 1 cup cream in top of double boiller. Stir over simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove from over water. Cool to barely lukewarm.
• Sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup water in heavy small saucepan. Let stand 5 minutes to soften. Stir over low heat until gelatin dissolves. Pour into large bowl.
• Add 2 remaining cups cream and vanilla; stir to combine.
• Beat cream-gelatin mixture to soft peaks; fold in white chocolate mixture. Pour into crust.
• Refrigerate until filling is set, at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Run a small, sharp knife around pan sides to loosen torte. Release pan sides.
• Sprinkle top with chopped cookies.

CHOCOLATE BROWNIE TORTE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE AND CARAMELIZED BANANAS

Steps:

• For brownie:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides with nonstick spray. Dust pan with flour. Stir butter and both chocolates in heavy small saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Cool to room temperature.
• Using electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar in large bowl until thick, about 5 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Stir in chocolate mixture. Sift flour over and fold in. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake until tester inserted into center of brownie comes out with dry crumbs attached, about 18 minutes. Cool completely in pan on rack.
• For mousse:
• Stir white chocolate and 3/4 cup cream in heavy medium saucepan over low heat just until white chocolate is melted. Cool completely.
• Beat remaining 3/4 cup cream in another large bowl until peaks form. Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites in medium bowl until stiff but not dry. Gently fold whites, then whipped cream, into white chocolate mixture. Spoon mousse atop brownie in pan; smooth top. Cover torte and refrigerate overnight.
• For caramelized bananas:
• Preheat broiler. Line heavy large baking sheet with foil. Spray foil with nonstick spray. Toss banana slices with sugar and lemon juice in large bowl to coat; arrange in single layer on prepared baking sheet. Broil until bananas begin to caramelize, about 3 minutes. Cool completely.
• Release pan sides from torte. Transfer torte to platter. Top with caramelized bananas. Serve with chocolate sauce.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TORTE

Steps:

• Stand 16 wafers around inside edge of plastic wrap-lined 9-inch round pan. Melt 3 oz. chocolate as directed on package.
• Beat pudding mixes and 2 cups milk in medium bowl with whisk 2 min. Add melted chocolate; mix well. Stir in 1 cup COOL WHIP; pour into prepared pan.
• Beat cream cheese, sugar and remaining milk with mixer until blended. Stir in 1 cup of the remaining COOL WHIP; spread over pudding. Top with remaining wafers. Refrigerate 3 hours.
• Shave remaining chocolate into curls. Invert torte onto plate; remove plastic wrap. Top torte with remaining COOL WHIP, berries and chocolate curls.

FROZEN WHITE CHOCOLATE & RASPBERRY MOUSSE TORTE RECIPE

Steps:

• For Crust: Finely grind cookie pieces in processor. Add butter; blend till crumbs are moist. Press mixture onto bottom & halfway up sides of 9-in. diameter springform pan with 23/4-in. high sides. Freeze while preparing mousse. For Mousse: Place liqueur in heavy med saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over liqueur; let stand till gelatin softens, about 20 min. Press raspberries firmly through a sieve into lg. measuring cup. Add enough juice to puree in cup to measure 12/3C. berry mixture & 1/2C. sugar to gelatin mixture. Stir over med-low heat just till sugar & gelatin dissolve, about 3 min. Remove from heat. Add white chocolate; stir till melted. Transfer raspberry mixture to lg. bowl. Chill till thick but not set, stirring often, about 2 hrs. Beat cream, powdered sugar & vanilla in bowl till stiff peaks form. Fold cream into raspberry mixture in 3 additions. Transfer mousse to crust; smooth top. Freeze till firm, at least 6 hrs. (Can be made 4 days ahead. Cover; freeze.) Cut around pan sides; release pan sides. Place torte on platter. Arrange raspberries around top of torte. Decorate with mint or chocolate leaves & serve.

CHOCOLATE LOVER'S MOUSSE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan with waxed paper; grease paper., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking cocoa, baking powder and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating just until combined. Transfer to prepared pan., Bake 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely. Carefully remove waxed paper., In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand 1 minute. Heat and stir over low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved. Cool to room temperature., Sift confectioners' sugar and cocoa together. In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Beat in confectioners' sugar mixture and vanilla. While beating, gradually add gelatin until stiff peaks form., Trim cake edges; cut crosswise into fourths. Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1/2 cup filling. Repeat layers three times. Refrigerate until serving.

WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE FOR GRAPEFRUIT TORTE

Steps:

• Sprinkle gelatin over 1/3 cup water in a small bowl. Let soften 5 minutes.
• Bring 1 1/4 cups cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add gelatin mixture; stir until dissolved.
• Put chocolate into the bowl of a food processor. With machine running, carefully pour in hot cream mixture in a slow steady stream, and process until smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until thick enough to hold ribbons, about 30 minutes. Stir until smooth.
• Whisk remaining 2 1/2 cups cream to nearly stiff peaks. Fold into chocolate mixture. Transfer 2 1/2 cups of the mousse to another medium bowl, and stir in zest. Mousses can be refrigerated, covered, up to 3 hours. Stir until smooth before using.

ORANGE MOUSSE CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, melt butter and bittersweet chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from the heat; whisk in sugar and nuts. Add eggs, one at a time, until blended. Pour into a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate., For mousse, in a saucepan, heat the orange juice concentrate, sugar and water until warm. In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over lemon juice; let stand for 1 minute. Add to chocolate; stir until gelatin is dissolved. Add white chocolate; stir just until melted. Whisk in sour cream. Pour into a large bowl. Refrigerate, stirring often, until cool and thickened but not set, about 1-1/2 hours., In a small bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; fold until orange mixture. Pour over crust (pan will be full). Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; remove torte from pan. Garnish with chocolate curls and cocoa if desired.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE FANTASY TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350F. Grease 9- or 10-inch springform pan. In large bowl, combine all base ingredients. Beat at medium speed 1 minute. Spread batter into greased pan. Bake 34-37 minutes or until set. Cool in pan on wire rack 1 hour. Remove sides of pan. Cool completely. In small saucepan, combine chocolate chips, 1-ounce square unsweetened chocolate, 1 teaspoon coffee granules, 1/4 cup water and 2 tablespoons butter. Cook over low heat until mixture is smooth, stirring constantly. (Can also use a microwave to save time.) Remove from heat. Cool 15 minutes stirring occasionally. Fold cool whip into warm chocolate mixture and spread over base. Drizzle 1/2-ounce square melted unsweetened chocolate over filling in lattice pattern. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until filling is set. Let stand at room temperature about 30 minutes before serving. Store in refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE MOCHA MOUSSE TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan.) Spray two 9-inch cake pans with baking spray with flour.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, sour cream, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed until moistened, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in 3/4 cup ground almonds. Pour into pans.
• Bake 33 to 41 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Refrigerate layers 45 minutes before slicing.
• Meanwhile, place chocolate in medium bowl. In 2-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream just to boiling. Pour hot cream over chocolate; let stand until mixture is melted and smooth when stirred. Using whisk, beat in espresso powder and sugar. Refrigerate chocolate mixture 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until cold. Beat cold chocolate mixture with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Cut each cake layer horizontally into 2 layers. (To cut, mark side of cake with toothpicks and cut with long, thin knife.) On serving plate, place 1 bottom cake layer, cut side up, frost top with about one-fourth of the mousse. Repeat with second and third layers. Top with remaining cake layer and mousse. Sprinkle sliced almonds around top edge of cake. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or until firm enough to easily cut before serving. Store covered in refrigerator.