• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Marble Kitchen logo

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes

    Chocolate Brownie Mousse Cake

    Published: May 14, 2020 by Tara Kringlen. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    2.5K shares
    • Share
    Jump to Recipe
    Jump to Recipe

    A rich and fudgy brownie bottom with an easy but decadent and eggless chocolate mousse on top. This chocolate brownie mousse cake utilizes a boxed brownie mix to make this yummy dessert come together even quicker!

    chocolate brownie mousse cake slice on plate

    I had a craving for some serious chocolate and thought up this chocolate brownie mousse cake to satisfy that craving. I wanted a fairly no fuss dessert. While mousse isn't always no fuss, as it can involve cooking eggs and sugar to a certain temperature before adding in beaten egg whites or whipped cream, this version is! I'm also subbing in a boxed brownie mix for the base layer of the cake because let's be honest, boxed brownies are pretty delicious.

    What is mousse?

    Mousse typically consists of 4 parts, a base, a binder, an aerator and any add-ins/flavorings. For this mousse, the base will be melted bittersweet chocolate. There is no binder in this mousse recipe because the chocolate will act as the binder, thickening the mousse as it cools. Another binder most typically used in mousse is gelatin but again, this mousse will set up without it. For the aerator, heavy whipping cream is used. This will give the mousse its signature light and fluffy texture and without having to use any raw eggs, so it's pregnant mama safe :-). A little salt and vanilla get added in for that last component of flavorings.

    overhead view of chocolate mousse cake

    How to make the cake

    To start this recipe, prepare your boxed brownie mix according to the package directions. A 9 inch springform pan is used to layer the brownie and chocolate mousse. Bake the brownie according to the time needed to bake a 9 x 9 pan of brownies.

    Next you will prepare the mousse. Start by finely chopping the bittersweet chocolate. Then heat a cup of the heavy cream. I like to just microwave the cream for about 2 minutes but you could also use the stovetop for this as well. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and stir until it is completely melted. Add the salt and vanilla and stir to combine. Let the chocolate cool for about 10 minutes before folding in the whipped cream.

    In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, beat the remaining heavy cream with some sugar until soft to medium peaks form. You don't want to beat it to stiff peaks as it could cause the mousse to turn grainy. Add about half a cup of the whipped cream to the chocolate, stirring to lighten it up. Then add the rest of the whipped cream, folding it gently until completely incorporated.

    Pour the mousse over the baked and cooled brownie and cover and chill the cake at least 6 hours or preferably overnight. I garnished the top of the cake with more lightly sweetened whipped cream for some contrast with the chocolate.

    chocolate brownie mousse cake on a cake pedestal

    How to store the cake

    This chocolate brownie mousse cake needs to be kept refrigerated until serving. For any leftovers, keep them covered in the refrigerator. The cake should last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

    For more chocolate desserts, check these out:

    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
    • Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes with Thin Mint Crusts
    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
    • Chocolate Zucchini Cake

    Tag me on Instagram @themarblekitchenblog if you make this and leave a star rating and comment below! Thank you and enjoy!

    chocolate brownie mousse cake slice on plate

    Chocolate Brownie Mousse Cake

    Tara Kringlen
    A rich and fudgy brownie bottom with an easy but decadent chocolate mousse on top. Utilizing a boxed brownie mix makes this yummy dessert come together even quicker!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 35 minutes mins
    Chilling Time 6 hours hrs
    Total Time 6 hours hrs 50 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 slices
    Calories 696 kcal

    Ingredients

    Brownie Layer

    • 1 box brownie mix plus ingredients listed on box

    Chocolate Mousse

    • 12 oz bittersweet chocolate finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 3 cups heavy whipping cream divided
    • ½ cup sugar

    Topping

    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
    • 3 tablespoon powdered sugar

    Instructions
     

    Brownie

    • Prepare the brownie batter according to package directions.
    • Pour the batter into a 9 inch springform pan that has been sprayed with baking spray.
    • Bake according to the boxed instructions for a 9 x 9 pan. Allow to cool completely.

    Chocolate Mousse

    • Place finely chopped chocolate in a large bowl.
    • Microwave 1 cup of heavy cream for 2 minutes in a microwave safe container.
    • Pour hot cream over chocolate and stir until the chocolate is melted completely. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before adding the whipped cream.
    • In a medium bowl, beat 2 cups of heavy cream and the sugar until soft to medium peaks form.
    • Stir in ½ cup of the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Then, gently fold the remaining whipped cream into the chocolate until no white streaks remain.
    • Pour the mixture over the top of the brownie crust and smooth the top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.

    Whipped Cream Topping

    • In a medium bowl, whip together cream and sugar until stiff peaks form. Pipe onto the chilled cake or dollop on top of individual slices.

    Notes

    Adapted from Epicurious.
    • Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 696kcal
    Keyword brownie crust, chocolate, chocolate mousse
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Recipes

    • a slice of a nutella tart with nutella whipped cream on a white plate with a bite on a fork
      Nutella Tart with a Brown Butter Hazelnut Graham Cracker Crust
    • cinnamon apple pop tart cut in half to show the filling while resting on a sheet pan with red apples in the background
      Cinnamon Apple Pop Tarts
    • cinnamon toast crunch cheesecake on a wood and marble cake stand with slices cut out to show the inside of the cheesecake
      Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cheesecake
    • sliced brownies with cream cheese frosting and colored sprinkles sitting on brown parchment paper
      Chewy Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
    2.5K shares
    • Share

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Teramiah says

      March 10, 2025 at 6:28 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely amazing! I'm making this for the 3rd time in the past 2 months, lol! Dang it!

      Reply
      • Tara Kringlen says

        March 18, 2025 at 4:11 pm

        Haha! Happy you love it!

        Reply
    2. Dana Pesce Gisana says

      April 07, 2025 at 12:20 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing! Can I freeze this ?

      Reply
      • Tara Kringlen says

        April 09, 2025 at 3:20 pm

        Thanks! I haven't tested freezing this one, but I think it would do ok frozen. Maybe leave off the whipped cream and just serve it with it?

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    About Me!

    Welcome to The Marble Kitchen! My hope is that you will learn a few things about baking delicious and indulgent desserts and have lots of fun while doing so! More about me...

    Popular Recipes

    a slice of a nutella tart with nutella whipped cream on a white plate with a bite on a fork

    Nutella Tart with a Brown Butter Hazelnut Graham Cracker Crust

    cinnamon apple pop tart cut in half to show the filling while resting on a sheet pan with red apples in the background

    Cinnamon Apple Pop Tarts

    cinnamon toast crunch cheesecake on a wood and marble cake stand with slices cut out to show the inside of the cheesecake

    Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cheesecake

    sliced brownies with cream cheese frosting and colored sprinkles sitting on brown parchment paper

    Chewy Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting

    a slice of a tuxedo cheesecake on a plate with one bite on a gold fork

    Tuxedo Cheesecake

    banana carrot muffin topped with granola, laying on its side with a bite out of it

    Banana Carrot Muffins with Granola Tops

    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    Info

    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • About

    Recipes

    • Bread and Muffins
    • Cookies and Bars
    • Cakes and Cupcakes

    Copyright © 2025

    close up of a slice of chocolate mousse cake

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.