3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse

by Lily Ernst on January 28, 2025

This easy 3-ingredient chocolate mousse is rich, chocolaty, and silky smooth. Discover the secret ingredient that gives this chocolate mousse such great depth in flavor and a texture that is light as air.

Three glasses of chocolate mousse topped with whipped cream on a serving plate.

Table of Contents

Why you’ll love this recipe:

Just 3 ingredients – This recipe is just dark chocolate, whipping cream, and marshmallows, yes marshmallows! They add sweetness to balance the chocolate and they give an airy texture to the mousse, creating a smoother and more velvety consistency.
Super easy to make – Most chocolate mousse recipes require tempering raw eggs or soaking and dissolving gelatin. Not this one – you simply melt, whip, and fold.
Absolutely decadent – The combination of good-quality dark chocolate, fresh cream, and fluffy marshmallows creates a luxurious and indulgent flavor and texture profile that is like heaven in every spoonful.

Three champagne glasses of chocolate mousse on a plate.

If you love chocolate-lover, you must try my No-Bake Chocolate Cream Pie, Moist Chocolate Cupcakes, and Triple Chocolate Cheesecake. Or if you are in the mood for something creamy, try my Lemon Pudding Cake, Vanilla Panna Cotta, and No-Bake Key Lime Pie.

Ingredients you’ll need and why:

Good-quality dark chocolate – Delivers the primary flavor with a rich, balanced sweetness and bitterness, ensuring a smooth texture and intense taste.
Heavy or whipping cream – Adds richness and a light, airy texture by incorporating air when whipped, giving the mousse its creamy and fluffy consistency.
Mini marshmallows – Act as a sweetener and stabilizer, melting into a smooth base that binds the mousse and provides structure without the need for eggs or gelatin.

Ingredients for chocolate mousse: a dark chocolate bar, a carton of whipping cream, and a bowl of mini marshmallows.

How to make 3-ingredient chocolate mousse:

(the ingredient amounts are listed in the printable recipe card further below)

Heat the chopped chocolate, half the cream, and marshmallows in a dry, heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Let cool to room temperature.
Beat the remaining cream to soft peaks.
Gently fold the softly whipped cream into the chocolate mixture.
Spoon the mousse into dessert bowls or glasses. Cover and chill for 4 hours or overnight.

A picture collage of how to make three-ingredient chocolate mousse.

Expert tips:

Good-quality ingredients – Because there are very few ingredients in this recipe, it’s best to use good-quality and fresh ingredients. Also, a fine chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa solids is recommended for the best chocolate flavor. I chose a dark chocolate with 70% cocoa solids for an intense chocolate taste.
Use mini marshmallows – Mini marshmallows melt much faster than the regular-size ones, but if you only have larger ones on hand then cut them in half so they don’t take too long to melt.
Softly whipped cream – Beat your cream just until it’s thick enough to hold a peak for a few seconds. Over-beating the cream will make the mousse too firm. If that does happen then simply let the mousse soften a bit at room temperature before serving.

a spoonful of chocolate mousse being lifted from the glass

How to serve:

Garnish the mousse with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or a dusting of cocoa powder for a classic touch, and add fresh fruit like berries for color and flavor. Enhance the texture with a sprinkle of toasted nuts or serve alongside a crisp cookie for a delightful crunch.

Recipe FAQs:

Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate in this recipe?

While dark chocolate provides a rich and intense flavor, you can certainly use milk chocolate if you prefer a lighter and sweeter chocolate taste.

Can I add additional flavorings to this chocolate mousse?

Absolutely, you can add some extract, like vanilla, peppermint, caramel, or orange. You can also add a splash of liqueur, like Baileys, Kahlúa, Rum, or Grand Marnier.

Can I make this 3-ingredient chocolate mousse in advance?

Yes, you can make it up to 3 days in advance. Cover and store in the fridge until ready to serve.

If you’ve tried this 3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse Recipe or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

5 from 3 reviews