deliciousness

This is a MUST HAVE recipe for any celebration. Just make sure there are people around when you make it otherwise you'll be tempted to eat the whole thing! The recipe is not difficult, per se, but there are specific steps involved.

"DEATHLY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE"

CHOCOLATE CRUMB CRUST
3 C. chocolate wafer crumbs - Nabisco’s Famous (or half choc. graham crackers, or oreo cookies)
1 cube unsalted butter -melted

FILLING
1 lb. semi sweet choc. chips - with 3 T. butter
2 eggs beaten
4 eggs separated @ room temperature
2 C. heavy manufacturer’s cream or whipping cream (pasteurized is better than ultra pasteurized)
6 T. superfine sugar (regular sugar is okay, too)

TOPPING
2 C. heavy manufacturer’s cream + 2 T. superfine sugar (or karo syrup)
1 T. vanilla
1 t. rum or almond extract if desired

INSTRUCTIONS
Crust
Mix crumbs and butter until all crumbs are moist and press into a 10” spring form pan. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

Filling
Soften chocolate chips in a double boiler, with the butter and sugar; stir until smooth. Let cool a bit, then temper the egg yolks with the chocolate, to bring the eggs up to temperature. do the same with the 2 whole eggs and mix well. Be careful to temper the egg mixture with the chocolate mixture so the heat of the chocolate doesn’t cook the eggs (scramble them). You may have to return the mixture to the double boiler for a little heating up if it seizes on you, just slowly heat and stir until smooth again. Whip the cream with the powdered sugar until it forms stiff peaks. In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until they are stiff. Stir a little cream and egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Fold the remaining cream and egg whites into the chocolate mixture until all incorporated and smooth. Be careful not to deflate the mixture, keep it light and airy. Pour into the crust and chill overnight, or freeze for a couple of hours. (I prefer to freeze it)

Topping
Whip the cream until soft peaks form and spread this on the top of the chilled mousse cake. (Nadine makes nice swirly designs with it instead). Can be frozen when all completed, or kept refrigerated.