Love often tastes like chocolate. But this Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake tastes like pure celebration. Imagine layers of soft cocoa sponge and tangy raspberry mousse that melt on your tongue. The kind of dessert that turns any quiet night into something memorable. Ready in about 30 minutes of prep, it serves sixteen and feels luxurious without being fussy perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day that deserves a little romance.
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Why This Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake Works
Chocolate and raspberries make a naturally balanced pair. The chocolate brings deep, rich notes while the raspberries brighten every bite. The mousse stays light because of softly whipped cream, and the sponge gives gentle structure underneath. Each spoonful feels airy yet indulgent. This recipe also works beautifully ahead of time. You can chill it overnight, freeing your day for dinner plans or last-minute gifts. Even if you’re a beginner, the steps are simple and forgiving, making success almost certain.
Ingredients Overview
The heart of this cake is a cocoa sponge built on eggs, sugar, and dark chocolate. Whipping the eggs properly adds lift while flour and cocoa powder bring structure and flavor. Espresso powder deepens the chocolate taste. The raspberry mousse comes together with real berries, sugar, cream, and a touch of gelatin for stability. Use high-fat cream for smoothness and body. Fresh raspberries give brightness, though thawed frozen ones work too. Each serving offers around 263 kcal, with a balance of fats, natural fruit sugars, and fiber from the berries sweet satisfaction that feels just right.
Essential Tips Before You Begin
Start with room-temperature eggs so they whip easily and hold volume. Whip until the mixture forms ribbons; this creates a light, tender sponge. Always sift your dry ingredients for an even mix. When blooming gelatin, let it soften fully in lemon juice before heating. That small pause ensures the mousse sets properly later. And don’t rush the chill time at least three hours, preferably overnight. It’s worth the wait for a mousse that slices cleanly yet melts instantly.
How to Make Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake
This recipe has two simple stages: first, bake the chocolate sponge; next, make and spread the raspberry mousse before chilling everything until set.
Make the Chocolate Sponge
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 23cm springform pan. Beat the eggs, brown sugar, white sugar, and vanilla for about four minutes until pale and fluffy. Sift in flour, cocoa, baking powder, espresso powder, and salt. Fold gently to keep the air. Melt dark chocolate and fold it in too. Pour the batter into the pan, tap lightly to remove bubbles, and bake for 15–20 minutes until it springs back. Let it cool, then flatten the top if needed and chill.
Make the Raspberry Mousse
Bloom gelatin in lemon juice for a few minutes. Meanwhile, blend raspberries and strain the seeds to yield about 300 ml of puree. Warm the puree with sugar until dissolved, then stir in the softened gelatin until melted. Cool to room temperature. Whip the cream until soft peaks form, and fold in the raspberry mixture gently in three additions. Work slowly so the mousse stays airy.
Assemble and Chill the Cake
Pour the mousse over the cooled sponge. Tap gently to release trapped air and smooth the top. Cover and refrigerate for at least three hours, ideally overnight. Once firm, release from the pan and admire that silky top.
Decorating and Serving
Run a warm spatula around the sides to smooth the edges. Decorate with fresh raspberries and dark chocolate shavings. A warm knife makes perfect, clean slices. Serve slightly chilled for the best contrast between creamy mousse and tender sponge. The chocolate feels rich but never heavy, and the raspberries shine through like a burst of freshness.

Recipe Pro Tips
Choose chocolate with at least 70–75% cocoa for balanced bitterness. If the sponge looks wrinkly, don’t worry — the mousse will hide it. Fold the mousse softly to avoid deflating the cream. If it feels too tart, add a tablespoon of sugar to the puree; if too sweet, a squeeze of lemon balances it. Plan the chilling ahead so you can focus on the fun part: decorating and sharing.
Variations and Substitutions
Try layering a thin sheet of ganache between the sponge and mousse for a richer twist. You can swap in mixed berries for a fruitier flavor or use coconut whipped cream for a dairy-free version, though the taste becomes slightly tropical. To intensify the cocoa, add an extra teaspoon of espresso powder. Each small change lets you make the dessert your own.
Storage and Make-Ahead Guide
Keep the cake covered in the fridge for up to five days. For longer storage, freeze it tightly wrapped for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. You can also prepare the sponge or raspberry puree a day early, storing them separately until ready to assemble. This flexibility makes it ideal for busy holidays or planned dinner parties.
FAQs
Why didn’t my mousse set properly?
The gelatin may not have fully bloomed or melted. Make sure it dissolves completely in the warm puree before cooling.
Can I use frozen raspberries?
Yes, just thaw and drain them first to remove extra moisture.
How do I stop my sponge from sinking?
Whip the eggs long enough to trap air, and fold gently when adding dry ingredients.
How far ahead can I make this cake?
You can make it one or two days in advance; the flavor deepens slightly with time.
Why does my mousse look grainy?
The puree might have been too warm when mixed with the cream. Let it cool to room temperature first.
More Such Recipes
- Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Caramel Apple Donut Cake Pops
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies (Pumpkindoodles)
- Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins

Conclusion
This Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake feels like a love letter written in dessert form. It’s striking to look at but wonderfully simple to make. Whether for Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or a weekend treat, it never fails to impress. Light, creamy, and packed with flavor this cake turns small moments into something unforgettable. Share it proudly, snap a photo for Pinterest, or tag your creation on Facebook. Then enjoy the smiles that follow.
Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake – A Stunning, Easy Dessert
- Total Time: 3 hours 50 minutes (includes chilling)
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A light, silky Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake with airy cocoa sponge and a tangy raspberry cream layer. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any celebration sweet, fruity, and rich all at once.
Ingredients
3 large eggs (room temperature)
55 g light brown sugar
65 g granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
65 g plain flour
15 g cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp espresso powder
¼ tsp salt
75 g dark chocolate (75%), melted
2¼ tsp powdered gelatine
45 ml fresh lemon juice
400 g fresh raspberries (frozen can be used if thawed and drained)
100 g granulated sugar (for mousse)
480 ml double cream (heavy cream), cold
125 g fresh raspberries (for decoration)
50 g dark chocolate shavings (for decoration)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 23cm springform pan.
2. Whip eggs, both sugars, and vanilla until pale and thick, about 4 minutes.
3. Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder, espresso powder, and salt into the mixture. Mix gently.
4. Fold in melted chocolate, scraping the bowl to incorporate fully.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan, tap to release air bubbles, and smooth the surface.
6. Bake for 15–20 minutes until sponge springs back. Let cool in the pan, press top flat if needed, then chill.
7. Bloom gelatine in lemon juice for a few minutes.
8. Blend raspberries, sieve to remove seeds, and collect 300 ml of puree.
9. Heat puree with sugar over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Stir in gelatin until fully melted. Let cool to room temp.
10. Whip cream to soft peaks, fold in cooled raspberry puree in three parts.
11. Pour mousse over cooled sponge in pan, smooth top, and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.
12. To serve, remove cake from springform, smooth edges with a warm spatula, decorate with raspberries and chocolate shavings. Slice with a warm, dry knife.
Notes
Use high-quality raspberries and chocolate for best flavor.
Ensure eggs and sugar are whipped until ribbon-like for a light sponge.
Fold mousse gently to keep air in the cream for proper texture.
Minimum chilling time is 3 hours; overnight is best.
Sponge may look wrinkly — this is normal and gets covered later.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Valentine’s Day Recipes
- Method: Bake and Chill
- Cuisine: Dessert
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/16 of cake)
- Calories: 263
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 93mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 77mg
