Chocolate mousse with crushed pretzels and cherry juice reduction!
I serve this mousse to people that I really want to like me.
In the past week, I have taken a double batch to my new neighbor's house for dinner, and then again to a new friend when I heard her husband was having a bad day. The taste of this mousse makes people want to put you at the top of their list.
Normally, I'm a simple gal when it comes to desserts. Two small cups of chocolate mousse is plenty. For the two of us, I probably wouldn't even bother making the whipped cream topping.
But when I'm trying to impress people, my love language is a dessert that earns all the bonus points: chocolate (milk chocolate in this case), salty (pretzels), and tart (cherry reduction). Extra credit for peanut butter!
It's like peanut butter and jelly meets creamy mousse. I couldn't love it more.
The chocolate mousse is simple to make, really. I'm going to let you use the microwave to melt the chocolate, but promise me this: turn your microwave power down to 50%, and keep an eagle eye on it! Stir, stir, stir after each pulse. You must take it out of the microwave before all of the chips melt, and patiently stir while the final chips melt.
The toppings to the mousse sound fancy and impressive, but are effortless. I crushed a handful of peanut butter stuffed pretzels. You know the ones from Trader Joe's (I've also seen them at Costco):
Then, I reduced 1 cup of cherry juice until it was only ¼ cup. That's it.
The peanut butter pretzels and cherry reduction are entirely optional. I love the chocolate mousse plain, too.
So, if you have a friend with a lake house, slide this mousse their way. You'll be soaking up the sun on the lake house deck this summer, I guarantee it.
Say you have a friend that always scores extra tickets to concerts and sports games? Slip this in their fridge with a note that says 'enjoy.' You'll have a foam finger and over-priced beer in your hand in no time.
But, have you also seen my quickie 5-minute simple chocolate mousse recipe for Valentine's Day?
A delicious light and fluffy chocolate mousse recipe.Chocolate Mousse with Crushed Pretzels and Cherry Drizzle
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 1071Total Fat: 75gSaturated Fat: 40gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 309mgSodium: 502mgCarbohydrates: 82gFiber: 5gSugar: 59gProtein: 20g
Angelyn @ Everyday Desserts says
Chocolate mousse is one of my all-time favorite things, so I'm all over this! Plus, my aunt has a beach house ... she'll be getting a gift soon!
cookingactress says
PEANUT BUTTER PRETZELS ON CHOCOLATE MOUSSE??! That is sweet n salty nirvana right there!
Happy Valley Chow says
Yessss please! That looks incredible...fantastic recipe :)
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Kathryn says
Love the combination of rich + smooth mousse with the brightness of the cherry and the saltiness of the pretzels. I really like you just thinking about this. Goodness knows how I'd feel if you brought me a bowl!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Those peanut butter pretzels are so addicting! There's no way I could turn down this mousse!
Tess @ Tips on Life & Love says
Awe, there's nothing like a good mousse. I can't wait to try this-- it looks so delicious!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
Love the easy instructions! I buy those peanut butter pretzels from TJs too - they're awesome!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
You are speaking my love language! I have a mega thang for chocolate mousse, but the fruit + salty crunchy + PB thing happening here is putting me over the edge. No extra tickets to swap for the mousse, but how about my undying love and affection? ;-)
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
This looks amazing! I love the cherry, chocolate and peanut butter stuffed pretzel combo!
Shikha la mode says
Mmmm I love salty-sweet things in chocolate, so I'd totally add all the pretzels!