Irresistible Salted Caramel Chocolate Mousse Cups Recipe

Decadent layers of rich chocolate and buttery salted caramel create a dessert that whispers pure indulgence.

These salted caramel chocolate mousse cups dance between sweet and salty with elegant sophistication.

Silky smooth chocolate mousse mingles perfectly with golden caramel, promising a luxurious taste experience.

Each spoonful delivers a delightful contrast of textures that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Elegant yet surprisingly simple, this dessert transforms an ordinary evening into a gourmet moment.

Delicate chocolate cups cradle the luscious filling, making them an irresistible treat for any special occasion.

Serve these divine cups and watch as everyone falls in love with every delectable bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 70 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients in Salted Caramel Mousse Cups

• Graham Crackers: Provides a crunchy, buttery foundation that adds delightful texture and warmth.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the cracker crumbs and creates a smooth, cohesive crust.

• Dark Chocolate: Rich, intense chocolate that delivers deep, luxurious flavor and silky smoothness.
• Heavy Cream: Creates airy, light texture and adds richness to the mousse.
• Egg Yolks: Helps stabilize and thicken the mousse, contributing to its velvety consistency.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps create stable meringue-like structure.

• Granulated Sugar: Transforms into golden, amber caramel with complex, robust sweetness.
• Heavy Cream: Softens caramel and adds luscious, creamy dimension.
• Sea Salt: Cuts through sweetness, enhancing overall flavor complexity and providing unexpected brightness.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds glossy finish and enriches caramel's depth.

Equipment for Mousse Cup Assembly

• Microwave: Essential for melting chocolate smoothly and evenly.
• Muffin tin: Creates perfect cup shapes for chocolate shells.
• Muffin liners: Helps shape and remove chocolate cups easily.
• Paintbrush or spoon: Used to spread chocolate up sides of liners.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending egg yolks and incorporating ingredients smoothly.
• Medium saucepan: Needed for heating cream and making caramel.
• Mixing bowls: For combining and preparing different components.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Required for whipping cream to stiff peaks.
• Thermometer: Ensures precise temperature for egg mixture.
• Spatula: Helps fold cream into chocolate mousse gently.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate ingredient portioning.

Make These Chocolate Caramel Mousse Cups

• Chocolate Cup Foundation

Carefully melt chocolate using gentle microwave heat, stirring to achieve smooth consistency. Prepare muffin tin with liners and coat each with a thick layer of chocolate, ensuring sturdy walls for the dessert. Allow chocolate to set completely before removing liners.

• Silky Mousse Preparation

Create a luxurious chocolate base by combining egg yolks and sugar. Warm cream with vanilla and gently incorporate into yolk mixture. Cook until thickened, then fold in melted chocolate. Whip remaining cream and blend into chocolate mixture for a light, airy texture.

• Caramel Magic

Transform sugar into a rich golden caramel by cooking until deep amber. Carefully add butter and cream, creating a bubbling sauce. Enhance with a touch of salt and vanilla for depth of flavor.

• Elegant Assembly

Layer each chocolate cup with a splash of caramel at the bottom. Generously fill with velvety chocolate mousse. Drizzle additional caramel on top, sprinkle with coarse salt, and garnish with delicate chocolate curls.

• Final Chill

Refrigerate the dessert for several hours, allowing flavors to meld and mousse to set perfectly. The result is a decadent treat that balances sweet, salty, and creamy elements in every heavenly bite.

Flavor Notes & Substitution Ideas

• Chocolate Cup Tricks: Use high-quality chocolate with 60-70% cocoa content for richer flavor and smoother texture. Rotate the muffin tin while coating to create even chocolate shells.
• Mousse Texture Magic: Ensure egg yolks and cream are at room temperature for smoother incorporation. Fold whipped cream gently to maintain the mousse's airy lightness.
• Caramel Perfection Hacks: Watch sugar closely while caramelizing to prevent burning. Use a light-colored pan to monitor color changes easily. Remove from heat immediately when reaching deep amber tone.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare chocolate cups and caramel up to 3 days in advance. Store separately in airtight containers at room temperature. Assemble mousse cups just before serving for maximum freshness.
• Flavor Adventure Swaps: Replace vanilla with espresso powder for mocha twist. Experiment with different salt types like Himalayan pink salt or smoked sea salt for unique flavor profiles.

Best Ways to Serve These Mousse Cups

• Decadent Date Night Delight: Serve these luxurious mousse cups as a romantic dessert for two, complete with champagne or dessert wine to elevate the experience.
• Elegant Entertaining Centerpiece: Present the cups on a beautiful slate or marble platter, garnished with edible gold leaf or fresh berries for a show-stopping dessert that will impress dinner guests.
• Afternoon Tea Twist: Pair these chocolate caramel cups with a rich espresso or smooth Earl Grey tea, creating a sophisticated mid-afternoon indulgence that transforms an ordinary moment into something special.
• Gifting Gourmet Treat: Package individual mousse cups in clear gift boxes with a ribbon, making them a stunning homemade gift for birthdays, holidays, or as a sweet surprise for chocolate lovers in your life.

Chill & Store These Decadent Cups

• Smart Timing Strategy: Prepare chocolate cups and mousse components up to 2 days ahead, storing separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness and texture. This approach reduces last-minute kitchen stress and allows flavors to develop beautifully.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Keep finished dessert cups tightly covered in the refrigerator for maximum 3-4 days. Place them on a flat shelf away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption and maintain the delicate caramel and chocolate nuances.
• Freezing Finesse: Individual mousse cups can be frozen for up to 3 weeks when wrapped securely in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best taste and consistency, ensuring the mousse remains creamy and chocolate cups crisp.
• Serving Suggestions: Remove dessert cups from refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to allow slight softening. This brief rest enhances flavor complexity and creates a more luxurious eating experience, letting the caramel and chocolate shine with perfect texture.

Velvety Salted Caramel Chocolate Mousse Cups

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 70 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Irresistible salted caramel chocolate mousse cups combine rich chocolate, creamy caramel, and delicate sea salt for an elegant dessert. Sweet sophistication meets indulgence in this simple yet impressive French-inspired treat you can easily master at home.

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Ingredients

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• 8 oz (226 g) dark chocolate
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 4 large egg yolks
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 tbsps flaky sea salt
• ¼ cup (60 ml) caramel sauce

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Instructions

1. Chocolate Preparation: Melt chocolate using microwave at 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds until achieving a glossy, uniform consistency.
2. Chocolate Cup Formation: Line muffin tin with liners, coat each thoroughly with melted chocolate, creating thick, even shells that extend up sides, then carefully remove liners once set.
3. Custard Base Development: Whisk egg yolks with sugar until pale, then temper by gradually introducing heated cream infused with vanilla and salt, cooking mixture to precisely 170ºF while continuously stirring.
4. Chocolate Integration: Blend melted chocolate into warm custard, stirring until smooth and completely incorporated, then chill mixture thoroughly.
5. Mousse Creation: Whip cream to stiff peaks, gently fold into chilled chocolate mixture, creating an airy, luxurious texture.
6. Caramel Construction: Caramelize sugar and corn syrup to deep amber, carefully introduce butter and cream, allowing bubbling to subside, then enhance with salt and vanilla until silky.
7. Dessert Assembly: Layer caramel at chocolate cup base, fill with chocolate mousse, drizzle additional caramel in elegant swirls, and garnish with coarse salt crystals and chocolate curls.
8. Final Refinement: Refrigerate assembled desserts for minimum 4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and mousse to set completely.

Notes

• Chocolate Melting Technique: Use microwave at 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, glossy texture.
• Chocolate Cup Creation: Line muffin tins carefully, ensuring thick, even chocolate coating up sides for delicate, professional-looking edible vessels.
• Custard Precision: Temper egg mixture slowly by gradually adding warm cream to prevent curdling, and cook until exactly 170ºF for perfect consistency.
• Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate assembled desserts for minimum 4 hours to allow flavors to develop and mousse to set completely, ensuring optimal texture and taste.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 33 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg