Let’s end 2013 with chocolate and coffee. Fitting since I craved chocolate endlessly during pregnancy….and now rely on my daily cappuccino to grant me sanity as a new mom. These cappuccino mousse cups couldn’t be more perfect for my end-of-the-year post.
But when I first read through this recipe, I thought “this looks way too technically challenging” (Painting melted chocolate anyone??) but I gave it a try despite my doubts and found it to be delightfully easy to execute. And aren’t they lovely to look at? Rest assured, they’re delicious too. My niece and nephews loved that you could eat through the chocolate “wrapper” and we, adults, enjoyed the coffee flavored mousse.
So here’s to chocolate, to coffee, and to remembering the good. Ryan and I have had a truly monumental year.
-We bought our first house.
-I graduated with my MFA in Creative Writing.
-We had our first baby.
-And I made a lot of delicious food.
We feel immensely blessed.
I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe new year. Enjoy friends, family, and a well-made cocktail. These cappuccino mousse cups would be delicious too.
Cappuccino Mousse Cups
*From McCormick
4 ounces white baking chocolate
2 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee (King Arthur has an excellent option)
1 cup heavy cream, divided
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
4 ounces high-quality semi-sweet baking chocolate
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup sugar
Microwave white chocolate in medium bowl on HIGH for one minute. Stir and microwave additional 30 seconds until chocolate is smooth and melted. Dissolve instant coffee in 1 teaspoon of hot water. Add coffee, 1/4 cup cream, vanilla, and cinnamon to melted chocolate; stir until smooth and set aside.
Place semi-sweet chocolate and butter in small bowl. Microwave as described above. Line 8 muffin cups with foil baking cups (remove any paper liner). Spoon about one tablespoon melted semi-sweet chocolate into each cup. Using a small pastry brush, “paint” chocolate about half way up each cup. Freeze cups for 10 to 15 minutes or until chocolate is firm.
Meanwhile, beat remaining 3/4 cup cream with electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar until stiff peaks form. Gently fold cooled white chocolate mixture into whipped cream.
Remove chocolate cups from freezer and carefully peel off foil cups. If chocolate becomes too soft, return to freezer for a few minutes. Fill each up with about 1/4 cup of mousse. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
This dessert sounds delicious! It’s coffee and dessert in one! Plus, no wrappers to clean up. Cheers to your accomplished year! Hope 2014 is even better : )
Ha! I had to do a double take to realize that the “wrapper” is edible! I love coffee and chocolate – so I have a feeling I would adore these! Here’s to another wonderful year for you and your family!!
They look delicious!
That sounds amazing!! I love anything coffee flavored 🙂
Happy New Year sweet girl!
Yes, please! They sound amazing as did your year. Here’s to an awesome 2014!
I am not very gifted when it comes to presentation of food, and feel a bit intimidated by this “painting technique”, but you made it sound so easy…
I am tempted to try it, we love coffee and chocolate!
Happy New Year!
Oh do I love coffee flavored desserts! These look lovely…perfect for a Holiday party!
Here’s to another wonderful year for you!! Have a Blessed and Happy New Year, Monet!!
Yay for an amazing 2013 – I hope 2014 is just as wonderful! 🙂
Chocolate and coffee is definitely a perfect combination with which to ring in 2014. 🙂 A very happy new year to you & yours!
Perfect treats to help keep the party going on New Year’s Eve!
I’m completely smitten with the idea of the edible wrappers — how great is that? And I must try the painting technique; always good to keep challenging yourself. My youngest has also really started to take an interest in the kitchen so this might be a great project for him as well! The cappuccino mousse sounds like something my husband and I would love — (we just enjoyed an espresso creme brulee yesterday afternoon on a date day in Carmel :)). Lovely dessert Monet. May the blessings continue in 2014. Remember the good; agreed.
I craved chocolate nonstop during my pregnancy! Great way to end the year!!
Dear Monet, Coffee and chocolate are a match made in heaven.
I would love these delightful treats.
I wish you a very blessed and happy New Year.
Catherine xo
Wow, this year has been a giant one for you!! So much has been happening 🙂 I’ll be praying that 2014 will be even better than this year for you, your husband and gorgeous little girl. Thanks for being a blogging friend this year, I look forward to many more adventures to come! Love this recipe by the way. Gorgeous treats – coffee and chocolate are definitely heavenly together. Hugs xo
These mousse cups look adorable and irresistible!
Have a blessed and joyful New Year, Monet!
Angie
Happy New Year!
These cups look so good. Chocolate is the best way of ending 2013 😉
It was an amazing year for you 🙂 I wish you all the best in 2014!
These mousse cups look wonderful and so adorable! Love that the wrappers are edible too 🙂 What a great year and here’s to another wonderful year for you and your beautiful family Monet – Happy New Year!:)
I love the idea of an edible cup, and a chocolate one is even better! Wish you a happy and blessed New Year!
That looks so crazy good!
Happy New Year. 🙂
Oh, the mousse cups sound delicious! Thanks for all your great posts, esp. about Lucy. I love seeing the pics of here and hearing about how she’s progressing! Here’s wishing you all the best in 2014! Happy New Year, Monet!
Wow! What an exciting year you have had! Thank you for sharing these adorable and yummy mousse cups … the grated chocolate on top looks so elegant.
What an incredibly blessed year and a perfect Lucy makes the icing on the cake!! A VERY Happy New Year to you and yours, Monet!!
Coffee and mousse and chocolate – how could anyone not like this? These are so cute and look so fancy! Gorgeous recipe! I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog, can’t wait to see more in 2014!
Sounds like you had a wonderful, blessed 2013. Hope your 2014 is full of all sorts of greatness … and more delicious desserts like these! =)
You had a great year! As did all of us lucky enough to read your blog. And this mousse cups are a great way to celebrate! Happy New Year!
First of all, I’m super happy that you had such a wonderful year. Secondly: these are such lovely mousse coups! And the wrapper? Oh, it sounds delicious and it’s adorable! I’m in love with this dessert ;–)
I hope you had a nice first day of the year! x
Sounds like you had a spectacular year, Monet!!! Congratulations!!! Those mousse cups look so lovely I wish I could dive right in! Thank you so much for sharing…Wishing You and Yours a Safe, Healthy and Happy New Year!!! I’m looking forward to more scrumptious posts:)
I love recipes like this, they are really fun to share at parties……AND devour of course! The cappuccino mousse sounds delicious, perfect for those coffee cravings! Happy New Year Sweet Monet! Hugs, Terra
I didn’t realize the outside “wrappers” were edible until you mentioned it!! How perfect are these!! Happy new year chica!!
Happy Happy New Year! 2013 was a big one for you but here is to all that may come in 2014!
These are such a beautiful dessert! You accomplished so many amazing things in 2013 and I wish you and your family all the best in 2014!
Happy New Year! Sounds like 2013 was a wonderful year, and I wish you all the best in 2014. These sound delicious! I used to make peanut butter cups every Christmas, and they required the same chocolate painting. It’s not so bad.
It sounds like 2013 was such a great you for you guys! Congratulations! These mousse cups look TO DIE FOR!!