Chocolate Orange Mousse Cake

Prep Time: 20 mins + cooling time | Cook Time: 50 mins | Course: Dessert | Serves: 8

Decadent rich flourless chocolate cake is topped with an easy orange mousse layer. The cake likes a long cooling time in the fridge, so this is a great dessert to make a day ahead. Inspired by Ghirardelli https://www.ghirardelli.com/ghirardelli-chocolate-orange-mousse-cake-rec1144 

Cinnamon sugar, a sprinkling for the pan

1 cup dark chocolate chips

1 cup butter + 1 Tbsp for the pan

1 ¼ cups sugar

6 eggs, separated

1 tsp vanilla

¼ tsp salt

1 cup baking cocoa powder

Dark Chocolate Orange Mousse:

¾ cup dark chocolate chips

1 Tbsp butter

1 orange, zested

3 eggs, separated

1 Tbsp grand marnier liqueur, optional

Prepare a 9” springform pan by brushing with a tablespoon of soft butter and sprinkling with cinnamon sugar. Preheat the oven to 350*. In a glass measurer or mixing bowl, melt the chocolate chips and 1 cup of butter together for 1 1/2 minutes in the microwave. Whisk in the sugar and egg yolks, one at a time. Add in the vanilla, salt and cocoa powder. Whip the egg whites in a clean bowl until they have a stiff peak when the beater is raised. Gently fold ⅓ of the egg whites into the batter to lighten the mixture, repeat with the remaining egg whites. Spread into the prepared springform pan. Bake for 35-45 minutes. Cake will be just set. Chill in the fridge for several hours or overnight.

Microwave the chocolate chips and butter in a glass measurer or mixing bowl for 1 minute. Whisk to combine with the orange zest. Add in egg yolks, one at a time and whisk in the grand marnier (if using). Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks and gently fold into the batter. Chill the mousse in the fridge for 30 minutes before spreading onto the cake. Garnish cake with orange slices or triangles and chocolate curls.