Mousse Au Chocolate

Total Time: 35 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine, cut into pieces
• 1 cup whipping cream, divided
• 5 eggs, separated
• 1 (6 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• mandarin orange, well drained, to garnish

Recipe

• 1 combine butter, 1/4 cup whipping cream, and egg yolks in top of a double boiler.
• 2 whisking constantly, cook over simmering water until mixture reaches 160 degrees f on a thermometer (about 10 minutes). remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips; stir until smooth. transfer to a small bowl and cool to room temperature. stir in liqueur.
• 3 combine egg whites, granulated sugar, water, and cream of tartar in top of double boiler.
• 4 whisking constantly, cook over simmering water until mixture reaches 160 degrees f (about 9 minutes). transfer to a large bowl and beat until stiff peaks from. gently fold chocolate mixture into egg mixture. spoon mousse into small serving dishes, loosely cover, and chill until ready to serve.
• 5 place a medium (glass) bowl and beaters from an electric mixer in freezer until well chilled.
• 6 in chilled bowl, whip remaining 3/4 cup whipping cream until soft peaks form. add confectioners sugar and orange extract; beat until stiff peaks form.
• 7 garnish mousse with whipped cream and mandarin oranges.