I remember that my mother used to make this fancy chocolate mousse cake with lady fingers on special occasions. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find her recipe in any of her books or clippings. Just another thing I wish I would have asked her about before she passed.
Luckily in today’s world we have the internet. So when I searched for chocolate mousse cake with lady fingers I found recipes for something called Chocolate Charlotte Cake.
But wait! There’s more. Some of my blogging friends shared their favorite appetizers yesterday, and I’m part of a group who is sharing their favorite dessert recipes today. See all of their yummy creations at the bottom of the post. Many thanks to Kathy from Petticoat Junktion for coordinating this hop.
Fancy Chocolate Charlotte Recipe
I also learned that a “Charlotte” is a term for a an ice-box cake combined with cookies in a mold. Sure sounds like my mother’s fancy cake.
I set oOut to buy some ladyfingers and ingredients for chocolate mousse. Using a springform pan I made my very first Chocolate Mousse Cake or Chocolate Charlotte cake, and brought it to my sister’s house where we were celebrating both her birthday, and our sister-in-law’s birthday.
It did take a little bit of time but overall pretty easy and everyone loved it. I loved the fact that you make it a day ahead because it has to set up in the refrigerator for several hours.
One more thing. I also read that “Charlottes” often are topped with fruit or whipped cream so you can really go to town with embellishments. I kept it simple with some dark chocolate shavings.
Note: This recipe uses raw eggs. You can buy pasteurized eggs in the grocery store if you are worried about possible health risks. This might be a good idea of you have young children, are pregnant, or have anyone with weakened immune system.
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Fancy Chocolate Charlotte Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz . semi-sweet chocolate
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3 dozen ladyfingers
- 1/2 c milk
- 1 1/2 sticks of butter
- 6 eggs separated
- 1/2 c sugar.
Instructions
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Line a 10 inch springform pan with wax paper.
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Place ladyfingers in the pan with the sugared side facing out. Cut a little of each one so that it's stands nicely in the pan.
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Then line the bottom with more lady fingers, cutting to fit.
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Melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave.
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Add milk and stir.
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Add butter.
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Add egg yolks.
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In a mixing bowl whip cream.
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Add in chocolate mixture.
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In a third bowl beat egg white until it peaks.
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Add sugar to egg whites and beat for another minute.
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Fold into chocolate mixture.
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Pour into pan and cover with plastic.
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Refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours until firm.
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Decorate with chocolate shavings, whip cream puffs or fruit.
Recipe Notes
Note: This recipe uses raw eggs. You can buy pasteurized eggs in the grocery store if you are worried about possible health risks. This might be a good idea of you have young children, are pregnant, or have anyone with weakened immune system.
Monday ~ Appetizers
Petticoat Junktion | Cottage At The Crossroads
Create & Babble | Plum Doodles
Opulent Cottage | Brandywine Cottage
Domestically Speaking | What Meegan Makes
Tuesday ~ Desserts
An Italian In My Kitchen | Cook With 5 Kids
Roots North and South |Garden Matter
The Coconut Head’s Survival Guide
Day to Day Adventures | 2 Bees in a Pod
Lindsay Eidahl says
This looks delicious!!!!
Patti says
Thanks Lindasy. It was.
Vicki and Jennifer 2 Bees in a Pod says
This looks decadent and delicious! Can’t wait to make this for our party guests. So fun sharing the hop with you. Cheers to a Happy New Year!
Patti says
Thanks Vicki & Jennifer. Cheers to you as well!
Shelley says
This looks scrumptious! My little momma makes an amazing chocolate mousse so I’m going to share this with her. I think she will love it! Glad to be a part of the Party Recipe tour with you. Have a happy new year!
Patti says
Hope she loves it too! Thanks for stopping. I agree it was a nice group to party with and I also wish you a happy and healthy New Year Shelley!
Jessica says
This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Patti says
Thank Jessica!
Patti says
Thanks Jessica!
Meegan says
What a gorgeous and elegant cake! I am anxious to try it. I have made mousse before, but never for a cake. This is the perfect addition to my recipe collection.
Thanks for sharing.?
Patti says
Well then you are half way there. Thanks for stopping by Meegan and Happy New Year!
[email protected] says
Looks delicious! Thanks for explaining what “Charlotte” means. I didn’t know that.
Patti says
I thought it was super interesting too. Thanks Kathy!
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says
That looks heavenly – so gorgeous, yet easy too.
Patti says
Thanks Maryann!
[email protected] says
This looks delicious! I didn’t know what the term Charlotte meant, thanks for the culinary education. The folks at my supper club would love this dessert. Thanks for the idea.
Patti says
Hi Paula,
It was a nice surprise to find out that my mom’s cake was actually an interesting baking term. Gotta love the internet.
Have a great New Year!
Patti
Vanessa says
This looks amazing, Patti. I love lady fingers in desserts. Yummy
SheilaG- Plum Doodles says
This looks delicious. I didn’t know what a Charlotte cake was- thanks for the info!
Patti says
Hi Sheila,
I know. It was so great to be able to find similar recipes to my mom’s cake using the internet. I had no idea it actually had a name and meaning but it was a nice surprise.
Happy New Year!
Patti
Rosemary @anitalianinmykitchen says
This looks amazing, the perfect chocolate dessert. Happy New Year.
Patti says
Thanks Rosemary.
Happy New Year!
Jhuls says
Wow! That cake looks so delicious! Can I have a slice or two? 😀 Thanks for sharing!
Mother of 3 says
That sounds so good and looks delicious! Pinning to try. I have a recipe I remember my memere making; it was a baked mac and cheese casserole with stewed tomatoes… I was the only one in the family that liked it as much as my memere and I can remember being invited over for special dinners with her… I would give anything to have that recipe. Glad you found one just like your moms pie and I’m going to have to go search for one like my memeres.
Ashley says
Wow, that looks amazing! so decadent!
Sue says
Love the recipe Patti and it looks delicious. Thanks for sharing with us at Over the Moon Link Up. Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2017. Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
Rhonda says
I’ve never heard of a Charlotte Cake, but it looks delicious. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best.
Charlene Asay says
I have never heard of this kind of cake. It looks amazing! Thanks for linking up with us at Family Joy Blog Link Up Party. Merry Christmas!
Miz Helen says
Your Charlotte Cake looks fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with us at Full Plate Thursday! Hope you are having a wonderful week and hope to see you soon!
Miz Helen
Krystal Sadler says
I love the chocolate shavings on top. They add the perfect elegant touch! Thanks for linking up with us at Share the Wealth Sunday!
Hil says
That looks so tasty!!
Thanks for sharing at #bloggerspotlight! Pinned it!
Melissa Ruddy says
This looks divine! Can not wait to have an excuse to make this one.
bonnie Joy says
This dessert was decadent!! I made it for Easter Sunday and everyone raved about it! Will definitely make it again.
Patti Estep says
Hi Bonnie,
I’m so excited to hear that you made it and everyone loved it!
It was always a big hit in our house growing up.
Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know.
Patti