Chef Lyle’s Cappuccino Mousse in Chocolate Cups

Chef Lyle's Note:

" I created this elegant dessert for an Italian wedding I catered in 94 and it has a flavor twist. I found that I could use White chocolate, coffee, plus cinnamon and vanilla to makes a cappuccino mousse. Use foil baking liners for the best results when making the chocolate cups. "Leave it to an Italian to come up with something like this!"

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 35 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 4 ounces white chocolate
• 2 ½ teaspoons instant coffee
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream , divided
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract , I Use Dr. Watkins 2X
• ¼ teaspoon saigon cinnamon
• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate morsels
• 1 tablespoon shortening
• ¼ cup sugar
• chocolate curls (to garnish) (optional)

Directions:

1. Chill clean mixing bowl and balloon whip in freezer for whipping cream.
2. Heat white chocolate in a medium microwaveable bowl, uncovered, on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave 30 seconds at a time until mixture can be stirred smooth.
3. Dissolve instant coffee in 1 teaspoon hot water.
4. Add dissolved coffee, ¼ cup heavy cream, vanilla, and cinnamon to chocolate and stir until smooth. Set aside to cool completely.
5. Place semi-sweet chocolate and shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl, and microwave as described in step 2.
6. Place foil muffin liners in eight muffin tins. Working on one chocolate cup at a time, spoon about 1 tablespoon melted chocolate into foil liner, and, using a small pastry brush, "paint" chocolate about half-way up each liner.
7. Chill in refrigerator or freezer until hardened, about 10-15 minutes.
8. While chocolate cups are chilling, whip remaining ¾ cup heavy cream in chilled bowl until soft peaks form. Add sugar gradually and whip to very stiff peaks.
9. Very gently fold whipped cream into the cooled chocolate mixture, taking care to maintain the fluffiness of the whipped cream.
10. Remove chocolate cups from refrigerator and carefully peel off foil liners. If chocolate becomes too soft, return to refrigerator for a few minutes.
11. Fill each chocolate cup with about 4 tablespoons of the cappuccino mousse mixture. Garnish with whipped cream, sprinkle with cinnamon and add chocolate curls if desired.
12. Refrigerate; let stand about 5 minutes at room temperature before serving.