Mother's Day Treat: Chocolate Mousse Layer Cake

Mother's Day always causes a dilemma for Ginger.  She loves her mom, Kay, but can stand being around her alcoholic dad, Roger. Her solution?  Mail Mom a gift and jet-set away with boyfriend, Tyler. Do we see a pattern here?  She is always running away from her troubles. But, I guess three days on the beach is better than watching her father get drunk and offensive.

chocolate mousse layer cake

I always fall for this in restaurants, but homemade is better. Conquer it in steps, and you’ll have smooth sailing.

cake

Whisk:

1 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 cups boiling water

until smooth and set aside. Combine:

2¾ cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking powder

Set aside. Cream:

1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter

2½ cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

for five minutes. Add in flour mixture, alternating with cocoa mixture. Bake in (3) 9 inch round pans, greased and floured for 25-30 minutes at 350˚. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove and cool on racks.

filling

8 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled

Stir in:

6 egg yolks

until blended. Then add:

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Beat:

6 egg whites

until stiff, and then gently fold into chocolate mixture.

frosting

Combine:

6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted

½ cup cream

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

2½ cups confectioners’ sugar

assembly

Layer cakes with mousse filling and ice with frosting.  Refrigerate a minimum of five hours. Store in refrigerator.