This Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Cake is a stunning, multi-layered dessert perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or any special celebration. It features a light and airy chocolate sponge base topped with a silky smooth raspberry mousse made from real fruit and cream. With a vibrant raspberry flavor and a rich chocolate contrast, it’s the kind of showstopper that looks as good as it tastes. Make it ahead and let it chill overnight for the perfect set—and be sure to finish with a flourish of fresh raspberries and chocolate shavings.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
Chocolate Sponge
• 3 large eggs (room temperature)
• 55g light brown sugar
• 65g granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 65g plain (all-purpose) flour
• 15g cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp espresso powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 75g 75% dark chocolate, melted
Raspberry Mousse
• 2¼ tsp powdered gelatine
• 45ml fresh lemon juice
• 400g fresh or thawed frozen raspberries
• 100g granulated sugar
• 480ml double cream (cold)
To Decorate
• 125g fresh raspberries
• 50g dark chocolate shavings
Directions
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Prepare the Cake Base
Grease and line a 23cm (9-inch) springform pan. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). In a bowl, whip eggs, both sugars, and vanilla until light and creamy (about 4 minutes). Sift in flour, cocoa, baking powder, espresso powder, and salt. Mix gently, then fold in melted chocolate. Pour into the pan and bake for 15–20 minutes. Cool in the pan, then chill until ready for the mousse layer. -
Make Raspberry Mousse
Bloom gelatine by combining it with lemon juice and letting it sit. Blend raspberries into a puree and strain through a sieve to remove seeds. Heat puree with sugar until dissolved, then stir in gelatine. Strain again to remove any lumps and let cool to room temperature. -
Combine Mousse Ingredients
Whip cold cream to soft peaks. Gently fold in the cooled raspberry puree in three parts until fully combined. -
Assemble the Cake
Pour the mousse over the chilled chocolate sponge layer. Smooth the top and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, to set. -
Decorate and Serve
Carefully release the springform pan. Smooth the sides with a warm offset spatula if needed. Garnish with fresh raspberries and chocolate shavings. Slice with a warm knife for clean edges.
Nutrients (Per slice, based on 16 servings)
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Calories: 263 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 24g
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Protein: 4g
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Fat: 18g
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Saturated Fat: 10g
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Fiber: 4g
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Sugar: 18g
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Sodium: 93mg
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Potassium: 189mg
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Vitamin C: 12mg
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Calcium: 63mg
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Iron: 2mg
Chocolate Sponge: The Elegant Base
At the foundation of this cake is a soft, moist chocolate sponge, which provides just the right structure and depth to balance the airy mousse above. Unlike dense brownies or fudgy bases, the sponge is intentionally light and fluffy—just enough to support the mousse without overwhelming it. Made with real melted dark chocolate, cocoa, and a hint of espresso powder, it delivers rich cocoa flavor with subtle complexity.
This sponge is gently leavened by whipped eggs and sugar, giving it lift and a delicate texture that holds together well but doesn’t compete with the mousse. It forms a thin yet flavorful layer that becomes even more tender as it chills beneath the mousse. Once baked and cooled, the sponge becomes the perfect canvas for the next, fruit-forward layer.
Raspberry Mousse: Light, Fruity, and Dreamy
What truly makes this dessert shine is the raspberry mousse layer—a silky, fruit-filled cloud of whipped cream and fresh berry flavor. This mousse is made with real raspberries, not artificial flavoring, which gives it a vibrant color and authentic taste that’s both tart and sweet. The berries are pureed, strained for smoothness, then gently sweetened and stabilized with gelatin to create a mousse that sets beautifully while remaining incredibly light.
The mousse brings brightness to the cake, balancing the richness of the chocolate and adding a refreshing, summery element to every bite. The texture is creamy and smooth, firm enough to hold its shape when sliced but soft enough to melt instantly in the mouth. Its naturally pink hue also adds visual appeal, making the cake feel festive and romantic.
Because of its fresh ingredients, the mousse is best when allowed to chill overnight, giving it time to fully set and for the flavors to marry together. It’s the kind of layer that feels indulgent without being heavy—perfect for ending a special meal on a high note.
Chocolate and Raspberry: A Classic Flavor Pairing
There’s a reason chocolate and raspberry are considered a classic pairing—they’re the ultimate sweet-and-tart duo. The deep, bitter edge of dark chocolate complements the brightness of raspberry so beautifully that the combination has become a staple in elegant desserts. This cake plays to that harmony, layering flavor in a way that feels luxurious but balanced.
The chocolate provides a grounding richness, while the raspberry adds lift and tang. The balance ensures that the cake isn’t too sweet or too dense, making it a versatile choice for guests with varying preferences. It appeals to chocolate lovers, fruit fans, and anyone who enjoys a dessert that’s rich without being overwhelming.
Make-Ahead Friendly for Easy Entertaining
One of the standout advantages of this recipe is that it’s make-ahead friendly. Because the mousse needs time to chill and set, this cake is perfect for preparing the night before an event. That means you’re free to focus on other details when guests arrive, knowing that dessert is already done and ready to shine.
Not only does chilling improve the mousse’s structure, but it also allows the sponge to absorb just a touch of moisture from the mousse, creating a seamless bite from top to bottom. When you’re ready to serve, simply unmold the cake and decorate it for an effortless, impressive finale to your meal.
This also makes it a great option for busy holidays or dinner parties—you can assemble it entirely in advance and enjoy a stress-free dessert service that feels anything but ordinary.
A Beautiful Finish: Fresh Berries and Chocolate Shavings
The final touch on this Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Cake is its gorgeous garnish. A few fresh raspberries scattered across the top add color, texture, and a hint of juicy brightness. Their natural tartness cuts through the richness of the mousse and chocolate, while also reinforcing the cake’s primary flavor.
Dark chocolate shavings offer a subtle crunch and a visual contrast to the pink mousse, making the cake look truly professional. You can create shavings by running a vegetable peeler along a bar of chocolate, or opt for curls if you want something more decorative. Either way, this simple touch elevates the cake’s appearance and adds another layer of chocolate to enhance the overall experience.
These decorative elements aren’t just for show—they help tie together the flavor profile and make the cake feel complete. Even a dusting of powdered sugar or a few mint leaves can turn this into a dessert that looks as good as it tastes.
Perfect for Every Occasion
While this cake shines during romantic holidays like Valentine’s Day or anniversaries, it’s also a perfect choice for birthdays, dinner parties, bridal showers, or any event where you want to serve something memorable. It feels indulgent enough for a celebration, yet light enough to enjoy after a full meal.
Because of its beautiful color and fresh ingredients, it also transitions well through the seasons. Serve it in spring for a fruity, floral vibe, or pair it with hot espresso in the winter for a cozy yet elegant dessert. No matter when you make it, this cake is always a crowd-pleaser.
Adaptable and Customizable
One of the great things about this cake is how easily it can be customized. Prefer a white chocolate base? Swap the sponge with a vanilla version and keep the mousse the same. Want to highlight another fruit? Substitute the raspberries with strawberries, blackberries, or even passion fruit purée.
You can also turn this recipe into individual mousse cakes using silicone molds or ramekins, perfect for plated desserts or smaller gatherings. Garnish them with piped whipped cream, edible flowers, or gold flakes for an upscale presentation.
No matter how you tweak it, the foundation of rich chocolate and fluffy mousse remains endlessly appealing.
Conclusion: A Dessert That Dazzles
This Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Cake is the kind of dessert that makes people pause, admire, and then savor. It combines the deep comfort of chocolate with the bright cheer of fresh raspberry, all wrapped up in an elegant presentation that’s surprisingly simple to execute. Each component plays its part—the sponge offering structure, the mousse delivering creaminess and flavor, and the topping adding the perfect finishing flourish.
Make it once, and you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe every time you want to impress. It’s an ideal blend of visual beauty, satisfying texture, and vibrant taste—truly a cake that speaks from the heart. Whether you’re baking for love, celebration, or simply your own sweet craving, this cake is more than just dessert—it’s a moment worth sharing.
