Cool, creamy, and full of rich chocolate flavor, you won’t miss the added fat and calories in this lightened up vegan chocolate mousse recipe.
When it comes to dessert, I almost always gravitate towards chocolate. My Vegan Chocolate Espresso Mousse is a nod to my mother who always adds espresso powder to chocolate desserts. An extremely delicious habit, since coffee simply heightens the natural chocolate flavors. And don’t let the “vegan” in the title scare you off. This recipe is dairy free, gluten free, and egg free. It’s a great way to enjoy a chocolate dessert without lots of added sugars and fats. Come date night, you’ll be happy you tried it and you’ll make it again and again.
Ingredients
- Silken tofu: Softer and creamier than regular tofu, it is frequently used in dressing and desserts, keeping sweets lower in fat without losing flavor.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: While you can use whatever chocolate is your favorite, I think semi-sweet has the perfect balance for a not-too-sweet dessert that anyone will enjoy.
- Vanilla extract: Naturally sweetens and enhances the other flavors present in the mousse.
- Espresso powder: Much more concentrated than regular coffee, a little can go a long way. Rich, and a tad bitter, it enriches the chocolate flavor.
- Sea salt: Balances out the sweetness in this dessert.
How to Make Vegan Chocolate Espresso Mousse
Start your Vegan Chocolate Espresso Mousse by melting your chocolate using a Bain Marie. Boil water in a pot, and then in a glass bowl that can sit inside the pot without falling in, slowly heat and melt your chocolate.
Next, put the silken tofu into a food processor or blender, and pour the melted chocolate over it. Start mixing it together.
Then you’ll add the vanilla extract and mix.
Finish by adding the espresso powder and sea salt, and blend until smooth and evenly mixed.
Pour evenly into glasses, and top with additional chocolate savings if desired.
Serve and enjoy your delicious Vegan Chocolate Espresso Mousse.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long does homemade chocolate mousse last?
Homemade mousse will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days, although it will lose some of it’s volume.
Can you freeze mousse?
Yes, it’ll keep in the freezer for a couple months! Slowly defrost in the fridge to eat regular, or enjoy it frozen as an almost ice cream like treat!
What fruit goes well with chocolate mousse?
Berries are my favorite thing to pair with chocolate mouse. Strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries especially.
More Yummy Desserts
- Baked Brie with Honey and Almonds
- Jewish Apple Cake
- Gluten Free Apple Crisp
- New England Hermit Cookie Bars
- Vegan Blueberry Nice Cream
Like It, Eat It, Share It!
Did you try this mousse recipe and love it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.
How do you like to spend your date nights? Are you hitting the town or making a cozy meal at home? Either way, this Vegan Chocolate Espresso Mousse is a great way to end the night.
Your spoon is waiting.
Vegan Chocolate Espresso Mousse
Ingredients
- 12.3 ounces silken tofu (1 package)
- ⅓ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
- 1 pinch pinch sea salt
- chocolate shavings (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Remove the silken tofu from the package and drain out any excess liquid. Place in a food processor and pulse until smooth.
- Melt the chocolate chips over a double boiler by simply heating them in a heat-proof bowl placed on top of a small pan with simmering hot water. Stir continuously with a rubber spatula until chocolate chips have completely melted being careful not to let the chocolate burn. Remove bowl of melted chocolate from the heat.
- Stir the vanilla extract, espresso powder and salt into the melted chocolate until combined. Add chocolate mixture to the tofu in the food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy.
- Divide chocolate mousse between two glasses or serving bowls and refrigerate until chilled – 2 hours or overnight. Garnish with chocolate shavings.
I hesitate for the tofu, but I am thinking it would lend itself well to any flavor and just add texture, So I may give this a shot.
Trust me – my husband would never eat tofu but he now requests this mousse!! I hope you try it!
Do you know if this would work if you added kahlua to it?
I haven’t tried it with kahlua but it *should* work when you add the vanilla.
Does the tofu effect the texture at all? This sounds delicious but I am not a tofu fan. I just cannot get into it. But this looks amazing!
The tofu becomes creamy and smooth just like yogurt or pudding. My husband would NEVER know it was tofu!!
I am swooning over this! Looks gorgeous :) what a perfect recipe!
Thanks friend!
I am with you Liz. A couple of squares of dark chocolate is my thing as well. We are staying local and having a romantic dinner at home together. What about you guys?
We booked a sitter and are going to a local Italian trattoria! :) We normally stay home but with a 3 month old and a 2 year old, it’s not exactly relaxing. ;)
Oh, this looks heavenly!
Thank you friend!
Yum! This looks delicious lady.
Thank you Brittany!
Gimme gimme gimme! Not going to share!!
Sharing is for the birds!
This looks really inviting. And like you Liz I allow myself a few squares of dark chocolate a day ;)
Me too. ;) Thanks Mariana!
I have a ton of coupons for tofu burning a whole in my pocket — sounds like a delicious way to use one!
This is perfect for those coupons!!
Espresso powder with chocolate is an absolute must. I love that you mentioned Enjoy Life chocolate chips–they’re a staple in our nut-free house!
Oh, this is a perfect V-day dessert! And, since my husband doesn’t like chocolate, I can have more! ;)
He doesn’t like chocolate?! You lucky girl!
Chocolate mousse is usually just a little bit too rich for me, but this lightened version sounds just perfect, especially for V-Day. And that cake with espresso frosting your Mom makes sounds to-die-for!
Yes this is much lighter and so freaking good!! Enjoy!
YES! I have totally been waiting for this since you mentioned it a few weeks ago. Pinned and trying it for sure!
It was so good!! I’m pretty sure it will be a repeat occurrence in our house! xo
Chocolate mousse is one of my FAVORITE splurge desserts…but I definitely love that with your version is doesn’t HAVE to be a splurge!! And is high protein. I mean…this is basically breakfast-worthy health food!
Seriously!!! I am going to call this breakfast too.
Looks absolutely luscious, Liz!
Thank you Anna!! It was so good!
This sounds delicious!!!
My picky husband LOVES it this way – I don’t lie!
I’ve never heard of yellow cake being referred to as “duck cake” before but I’m happy to give this pairing a try. It’s amazing how many delicious desserts can be made with Tofu!
Oh I’m laughing – the cake pan is the shape of a giant duck..like a mommy duck. :) ahahaha
So…….this ruins the whole point of Valentine’s day, but do I have to share it with my boo? Or maybe I’ll just make it while he’s at work. Evil laugh.
ahaha I won’t tell if you don’t want to share. ;)
Ooh–I love the addition of espresso powder here. I’ll bet that just takes this to the next level. For Valentine’s Day, my husband and I are heading out to dinner with some friends while Nana and Poppy babysit.
I add espresso powder to almost everything chocolate! Just takes it to the next level. :)