Mocha Mousse Brownie Bites

Mocha Mousse Brownie Bites

There’s something romantic about mousse, dontcha think?

There used to be something romantic about snowstorms too, but now that I’m watching Kenny dig us out from two-plus feet of snow while my children destroy the house, I’m not really that into it. I’d much rather have clean streets and be at work, thank you very much.

The good news is, I’ve got these mocha mousse brownie bites to keep me company as the snow refuses to melt and the winds die down. These are pretty much my idea of a perfect Valentine’s dessert. These rich, fudgy brownie bites are topped with a mocha mousse and drizzled with chocolate. If you think it’s rich, you’re right! That’s how I do.

Mocha Mousse Brownie Bites

In the D.C. area, people aren’t used to snow. When I first moved here, I was shocked at how a simple dusting could immobilize the entire region for hours, so you can imagine what this huge snowstorm (dubbed Snowzilla in these here parts) has done for the area.

It all began Friday night, and we have yet to see a single snowplow. Our cul de sac is still dusted with twentysomething inches of fresh powder, untouched by person or machine. I’d like to think we’ll be plowed out at some point, but I really have no clue when. In the meantime, the task falls upon me to keep the three little monsters happy. Lucky Kenny gets to go back to work tomorrow in our basement, since he teleworks.

Mocha Mousse Brownie Bites

So, any suggestions? I’m looking for snow day ideas that aren’t crazy messy or difficult. We’ll have our baking time, our yoga/fitness time, our movie time, our snow time. But what else can I do? Help me, please. PLEASE.

In exchange, I will bake you marvelousness if you ever come through DC. Really. It’s the least I can do for keeping everyone sane in the big bad storm aftermath.

Mocha Mousse Brownie Bites

These bites of decadence might be helping with that sanity a bit, too. When things get rough, I can hide in the closet with a stack of these and a thermos full of Riesling. That’s a pretty good coping strategy, in case you needed one.

If you’ve never made mousse using cream, it’s the easiest and safest way to go without resorting to Cool Whip. Instead of a mousse packed with raw egg, this requires whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Then the mocha gets mixed in (hellooooo, coffee and chocolate) and once the mousse is chilled, you can pipe it onto the brownie bites. It’s elegant as well as satisfying!

Mocha Mousse Brownie Bites

Stay tuned, because if they don’t plow us out by Wednesday’s post, I’ll either need more snow day ideas from you or some serious therapy. In the meantime, the digging begins as Valentine’s Day looms ever nearer. Stay warm, everyone!

 

Mocha Mousse Brownie Bites

Ingredients

Brownie Bite Base
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup flour
Mocha Mousse
1 generous cup chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet or dark)
4 teaspoons instant coffee
1/4 cup cold water
1 and 1/2 cups heavy cream
Garnish
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a mini-muffin pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the cocoa into the melted butter until it dissolves. Add the sugar and stir again. When the sugar is incorporated, mix in the vanilla and eggs. Add the salt and flour, mixing until just combined.
  3. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, filling each cavity most of the way. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the brownie bites are set. Set aside and cool completely.
  4. While the brownie bites are baking and cooling, make the mocha mousse. Dissolve the instant coffee in the cold water.
  5. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the coffee and the chocolate chips. Heat at 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until everything is melted and smooth. Set aside.
  6. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Do not overdo it!
  7. Gently fold the chocolate mixture into the heavy cream until a uniform color (no streaks!) appears.
  8. Chill the mousse for one hour in the refrigerator.
  9. When the brownie bites are cool and the mousse is chilled, place the mousse into a piping bag with a large star tip. Pipe the mousse quickly into swirls over the brownie bites.
  10. For garnish, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave until smooth in 30-second intervals. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the piped mousse.
  11. Store the brownie bites chilled and covered loosely.
http://justaboutbaked.com/mocha-mousse-brownie-bites/

 

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 22 Comments

  1. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg

    Mir – We only got about 12 inches here. I can’t imagine how everyone is faring down in DC. Is there some sort of child’s Zumba/dance DVD (or Netflix) program? That might get the kiddos tired out. I’m always a sucker for coloring or small crafts like bracelets or keychains. My sister and I used to play in the snow for hours at a time when we were kids.
    Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Lemon Blackberry ThumbprintsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It’s funny that 12 inches is “only.” Usually that would be a ton!

  2. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    Mousse definitely seems like a fancy dessert, when it’s actually so easy to make! And I hope you’re staying warm in that storm! Love the brownie bites. I think I would devour this all and NOT share with my husband!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Mini Sausage QuichesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Not sharing? Love it, Gayle! Be sassy, sister!

  3. Kate @ Framed Cooks

    I think I could probably eat a dozen of these, and I have not done a lick of shoveling (thank goodness for the plow guys!)…meantime, how about a nice old fashioned jigsaw puzzle? Or a bard game tournaments? And there’s always Netflix. 🙂 🙂
    Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Overnight OatmealMy Profile

    1. Mir

      All good ideas, Kate! Thanks! I’m definitely pulling out all the puzzle stops!

  4. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    I am glad that you survived the snow storm! We are getting the tail end of it here in the UK this week, but it will be heavy rain rather than snow.
    I think there is something romantic about mousse too and I always make it for Valentine’s day!

    1. Mir

      Heavy rain is just depressing. I’d almost rather be trapped in the snow!

  5. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Chocolate mousse is totally romantic! I love this!!! and stay safe and warm today!!! i’m sure you will find something to keep the kids busy. . I feel for you sister. . and my kids have no school today too. . for non-weather related reasons. . but still. .

    1. Mir

      So we both have had extra time with the kids this week. One or two days is okay, but after a while, everyone gets so stir-crazy! Here’s hoping all is back to normal soon!

  6. Shashi at RunninSrilankan

    In Atlanta, we aren’t used to snow either – a mere dusting and we go bonkers – heck even the thought of a mere dusting had the governor closing down all offices at noon on Friday!
    As far as snow day activities – well, there’s hide-n-seek where you get to “hide in the closet with a stack of these” and still be engaging with your 3 kiddos – right 🙂 Or, maybe y’all could play the “dig” where everyone gets a shovel and starts digging – guaranteed to tire everyone out! Oooh and then there’s sledding with the old box or two – but that has a way of revving the appetite and I know I wouldn’t want that with these decadent treats in the house!
    Fingers crossed the ploughs come soon…

    1. Mir

      I like the digging idea, Shashi! Thanks so much! We’ll keep busy somehow…or I’ll just hide!

  7. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    Love the instant coffee in the frosting- so yum!
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…3-Ingredient Strawberry Banana SmoothieMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It’s mousse! So much better than frosting! In my opinion, anyway! 😉

  8. Amy @ Frugale.org

    My daughter is going to love these.
    Amy @ Frugale.org recently posted…Tenderloin With Marsala (Filetto al marsala)My Profile

    1. Mir

      Yay! Thanks!

  9. Manali @ CookWithManali

    Oh people are not used to snow in Seattle at all too! like a light snow and everything stops! but usually we never get any snow. I hope it clears out soon for you, till then enjoy these bites, they look amazing!!
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…No-Bake Chocolate M&M TartMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Manali! We should be used to it out here, but it’s like a fresh shock for this area every time!

  10. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    I really can’t even imagine. I think I’d go crazy and die if I was snowed in, seriously. But these brownies?? Would make it way better.
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Easy Raspberry Nutella DanishMy Profile

    1. Mir

      You would get stir-crazy. I’ve been in this house since Thursday. Aaaaaaaaah!

  11. annie@ciaochowbambina

    I’m with you on the romance of a snow storm until snowzilla hits then all bets are off. But these mocha mousse brownie bites would certainly help take the edge off! Stay warm, my friend!
    annie@ciaochowbambina recently posted…Shrimp Scampi with Rocket and Angel Hair SpaghettiMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Annie! Trying to keep the sense of humor going…

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