Chocolate Raspberry Mirror Mousse Cake

This is a creamy, smooth, chocolaty mousse with a shimmering raspberry crown. You can make it ahead of time (in stages if you want) just follow the easy steps.

• Ready In: 52 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• CAKE CRUST

• 2  eggs, separated
• 1⁄3 cup granulated sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 cup  unsweetened cocoa

• CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

• 10  ounces  high-quality  semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 1⁄2 cups  whipping cream
• 1  tablespoon vanilla
• 1 (300 g) bag frozen raspberries, thawed
• 1⁄3 cup granulated sugar
• 2  teaspoons unflavored gelatin

• RASPBERRY GLAZE

• 1 (300 g) package frozen raspberries, thawed
• 1⁄2 cup  raspberry jam
• 1⁄2 cup  grenadine
• 1  tablespoon unflavored gelatin

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat egg yolks, vanilla all but 2 tbsp.
2. of the sugar for 2 minutes or until light.
3. Sift flour and cocoa over top; stir until incorporated and thick.
4. In another bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; beat in the 2 tbsp.
5. of remaining sugar until stiff peaks form.
6. Stir one-third of egg whites into batter.
7. FOLD in remaining whites.
8. Grease side of 9-inch springform pan; line bottom with parchment paper.
9. Pour in batter.
10. Bake in centre of 400 F.
11. oven for 12 minutes or until cake pulls away from side of pan.
12. Let cool in pan on rack.
13. Turn out onto rack; peel off paper.
14. (Make-ahead: Wrap in plastic wrap; set aside for up to 24 hours.) CHOCOLATE MOUSSE: Place chocolate in bowl.
15. In saucepan, bring cream and vanilla to boil; pour over chocolate, whisking until smooth.
16. Place bowl in larger bowl filled with ice water.
17. Let stand, stirring often, for about 30 minutes or until very cold.
18. Press raspberries through fine sieve into small saucepan; stir in sugar.
19. Sprinkle with gelatin; let stand for 1 minute.
20. Warm over medium heat, stirring, for about 5 minutes or until gelatin is dissolved.
21. Pour into small bowl; refrigerate, stirring often, for 30 minutes or until thickened to consistency of egg whites.
22. Clean cake pan; line bottom and side with parchment paper.
23. Return cake to pan.
24. With electric mixer, beat chocolate mixture until soft peaks form; fold in raspberry mixture.
25. Spread over cake to side of pan.
26. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate for 4 hours or until mousse is firm.
27. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.) RASPBERRY GLAZE: Press raspberries and jam through fine sieve into sauce-pan; stir in grenadine.
28. Sprinkle with gelatin; let stand for 1 minute.
29. Warm over medium heat, stirring, for 5 minutes or until dissolved; strain.
30. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until cool but pourable.
31. Pour over mousse.
32. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until glaze is firm.
33. If you wish decorate around the cake with fresh raspberries.
34. Makes 12 to 16 servings.
35. Canadian Living Cooks.