Julia's Mousse Au Chocolat

Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 6 ounces high quality semisweet chocolate, cut into small chunks
• 1/4 cup dark rum
• 4 eggs, separated
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup strong brewed coffee
• 8 tablespoons softened butter, cut into chunks
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Recipe

• 1 combine chocolate and rum in a small pot; nestle pot inside a larger pot filled with water and set aside to allow to melt.
• 2 beat yolks in another small pot until pale and frothy.
• 3 combine sugar and coffee in another pot; cook over medium heat until dissolved, 5-6 minutes. pour coffee mixture into yolks in a stream, while whisking, set aside.
• 4 pour water into a large pot to a depth of 2". heat over medium-low heat until hot but not simmering. nestle pot with yolk mixture over pot and cook, whisking vigorouslym until thick and creamy, about 8-9 minutes. transfer yolk mixture to a clean bowl; beat with an electric mixer until cool; about 5 minutes.
• 5 uncover chocolate mixture and stir; add butter and whisk until smooth. fold chocolate-butter mixture into yolk mixture; set aside.
• 6 beat egg whites in a bowl until just frothy. add cream of tartar and salt; beat to stiff peaks. stir 1/4 of the egg whites into chocolate-yolk mixture; gently fold in the rest. spoon mousse into 6 serving cups or dishes. chill until set. beat cream to stiff peaks; transfer to a pastry bag with a star tip. pipe a rosette of cream onto each mousse.