Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Christmas Chocolate Mousse Pie-style tart with dark glaze and peppermint-white mousse in a chocolate crust — a festive Peppermint Christmas Desserts centerpiece that also works for Thanksgiving Tarts Desserts or as a bold Christmas Pie Chocolate display, Christmas Showstopper Desserts.

Decadent Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mousse Tart — A Christmas Showstopper Desserts Pick

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Jennifer
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert

Description

This elegant tart layers a crisp chocolate-graham shell with a light white-chocolate peppermint mousse, finished with a glossy dark-chocolate glaze. Dress it however you like — I went with sparkling sugar, white nonpareils, crushed candy canes and rosemary sprigs.


Ingredients

Scale

For the crust

  • 1 cup chocolate graham cracker crumbs (about ten 5″ x 2¼” crackers, finely crushed)
  • 6 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

For the peppermint mousse

  • 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 4 oz white chocolate chips
  • 2½ tablespoons milk (or half-and-half / cream)
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 34 drops peppermint oil (or use extract — adjust to taste)

For the dark chocolate glaze

  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 3½ oz bittersweet/dark chocolate (around 70% cocoa recommended)
  • 2 teaspoons light corn syrup
  • 2 tablespoons very warm water


Instructions

Make the crust
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix the chocolate graham crumbs with melted butter and sugar. Press the mixture firmly into the base and up the sides of a 9.5″ × 1″ tart pan with a removable bottom. Bake about 10 minutes. Let cool on a rack for at least 15 minutes.

 

Prepare the gelatin
Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let it sit for 5 minutes to soften. Heat the bloomed gelatin in the microwave for 15–30 seconds just until it dissolves. Do not boil.

 

Build the white-chocolate base
Melt the white chocolate in short microwave intervals (30 seconds), stirring between bursts until smooth. Warm the milk until it’s steaming (about 30 seconds), then whisk it into the melted white chocolate until fully combined. Stir the dissolved gelatin and the peppermint oil into the mixture and whisk until uniform. Allow the chocolate blend to cool to 85°F (about) or lower, but don’t let it harden.

 

Whip the cream
Beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar until medium-stiff peaks form. Fold one-third of the whipped cream into the cooled white-chocolate mixture to loosen it, then gently fold in the remaining cream until the mousse is uniform and airy. Fold carefully — overmixing will deflate the mousse.

 

Assemble and chill
Spoon the mousse into the cooled crust and smooth the surface with an offset spatula. Cover and chill in the fridge for several hours or overnight so the mousse sets firmly.

 

Make the glaze
When the tart is completely chilled, prepare the glaze. Heat the cream until it just comes to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in the chopped dark chocolate until smooth. Add the corn syrup and stir, then incorporate the very warm water to reach a pourable consistency. Let the glaze cool slightly so it’s pourable but not scalding.

 

Glaze the tart
Pour the glaze onto the center of the mousse-filled tart and tilt the pan so the chocolate spreads evenly across the top. The surface should be fully covered with no white showing. Allow the glaze to set at room temperature for about 1 hour.


Notes

  • Store & serve
    • This tart tastes best the day it’s finished but will keep covered in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Before unwrapping after refrigeration, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to avoid condensation forming on the shiny glaze.
  • Quick tips (skim these!)
    • Press the crust firmly so it holds up to the mousse.
    • Don’t overheat the gelatin. Boiling ruins its setting ability.
    • Cool the white-chocolate mix before folding in whipped cream — temperature control is key.
    • Chill thoroughly before glazing for a smooth finish.