Decadent Chocolate Cranberry Mousse Cake

Ingredients

For the Cake:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Cranberry Mousse:
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons gelatin powder
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 cup whipping cream

For Garnish:
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup sugar-coated cranberries
- 1/4 cup fresh red currants
- Chocolate decorations of choice

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Gradually add the vegetable oil and vanilla extract, mixing until well incorporated.
4. Sift together the cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 2: Make the Cranberry Mousse
8. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook until cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes.
9. In a small bowl, dissolve the gelatin powder in cold water and let it sit for 5 minutes.
10. Stir the gelatin into the hot cranberry mixture, ensuring it's completely dissolved. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
11. Whip the cream in a separate bowl until soft peaks form.
12. Gently fold the cooled cranberry mixture into the whipped cream until well combined.

Step 3: Assemble the Cake
13. Once the cake has cooled, remove it from the pan and place it on a serving plate.
14. Spread a thin layer of cranberry sauce over the top of the cake.
15. Spoon the cranberry mousse over the cake, smoothing the top with a spatula.
16. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set the mousse.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve
17. Before serving, decorate the cake with sugar-coated cranberries, red currants, and chocolate decorations as desired.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT30M
30 minutes
- Cooking Time: PT30M
30 minutes

Total Time

PT3H
3 hours

Type of Dish

Dessert

Keywords

Chocolate, Cranberry, Mousse, Cake, Oven-baked, Dessert, Holiday dessert, Decadent, Gourmet, Chocolate decorations

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total: 1200 calories

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