Light yet rich, as a chocolate mousse should be.

  • 1 pound cake
    [Frozen Sara Lee pound cake (10¾ oz) (thawed) works well for this. Ladyfingers would work as well, if you can find them.]

  • 12 oz semisweet chocolate pieces

  • 6 eggs

  • ¼ cup sugar

  • 2 cups heavy or whipping cream

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  1. Cut pound cake into ¼–½ inch wide slices. Cut each slice horizontally in half. Line sides of pan (8in x 3in springform pan or trifle bowl) with cake pieces. Place any pound cake scraps in bottom of pan.
    [If ladyfingers are used, simply line the pan with ladyfingers. Include the bottom of the pan, if possible.]

  2. Separate eggs. Set yolks aside, place egg whites in mixer bowl.

  3. In electric mixer, beat egg whites until foamy, gradually beat in sugar until stiff and glossy peaks form. Transfer whipped egg whites to separate bowl and set aside.

  4. Clean mixer bowl and wire whip, return to mixer.

  5. In electric mixer, beat 1 cup whipping cream with vanilla until cream holds its shape.
    [Retain the second cup of whipping cream for serving.]
     Transfer whipped cream to separate bowl and set aside.

  6. Clean mixer bowl and wire whip, return to mixer.

  7. In double boiler top over water, melt chocolate. Remove from heat.

  8. Beat egg yolks into melted chocolate until smooth.

  9. Transfer chocolate mixture to mixer bowl.

  10. Stir about 2 cups egg white mixture into chocolate mixture. Be sure to pause the stirring to scrape the mixing bowl so the chocolate on the bottom is included in the mixing.

  11. Fold remaining egg whites and whipped cream into chocolate mixture just until combined.

  12. Pour mousse into cake-lined pan.

  13. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.

  14. To serve, beat remaining cream until it holds its shape, then spoon in dollops around edge of torte.

History:

Our friend Ann Chase Larson first made this for us and kindly shared her recipe. The first time I made it my arms almost fell off from all the beating and whisking. An electric mixer makes a big difference.

Edited 1/31/2026 to better reflect the steps with a single mixing bowl.