Recipe #51 - Sweetheart Chocolate Mousse

Hello! It's a lazy Sunday in our house. We took the pooch for a walk, then walked to the grocery. I decided I wanted a decadent dessert to finish off the weekend. My thought was that it would almost take away the sting of having to go back to work tomorrow. Just nine business days of work and then I have a wonderful ten calendar days off to finish the year! Woo! 

This is a great stay home date night dessert. Simple to whip up and the chocolate hearts are a nice touch. I found this recipe in Hershey's Recipe Collection. I like this book. It's got some great recipes that are not time consuming but are delicious. I think it would be a good book for baking with children too.

I've never worked with gelatin, but this was very simple and keeps the mousse stiff. 

 The gelatin dissolved and waiting to be added to the cream, sugar, cocoa and vanilla mixture below.

 Mix until stiff then add the gelatin/water mixture. Blend well.

 I melted bittersweet chocolate to pipe hearts on to wax paper. A few minutes in the freezer solidifies them.

 So rich and delicious! mmmm! I'll have to let you know if it makes heading back to work tomorrow less painful.