Creamy chocolate mousse surrounded by ladyfingers, this fancy chocolate Charlotte cake recipe takes a bit of time to make but the end result is worth it.
I remember that my mother used to make this fancy chocolate mousse cake with ladyfingers 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 ladyfingers I found recipes for something called Chocolate Charlotte Cake.
What is a Charlotte?
I also learned that "Charlotte" is a term for an ice-box cake (no baking) combined with cookies in a mold. Sure sounds like my mother's fancy cake.
Making a Chocolate Charlotte Cake
I set out 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.
Heath Safety 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 if you have young children, are pregnant, or have anyone with a weakened immune system.
One more thing. I also read that "Charlottes" often are topped with a layer of fruit or whipped cream so you can really go to town with embellishments.
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Or keep it simple with some dark chocolate shavings.
More Chocolate Cake Recipes
Fancy Chocolate Charlotte Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz chocolate semi-sweet
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 36 ladyfingers
- 1/2 cup milk
- 12 tablespoons butter
- 6 large eggs separated
- 1/2 cup sugar
Instructions
- Line a 10 inch springform pan with wax paper.
- Place ladyfingers in the pan with the sugared side facing out. Cut a little off each one so that it stands nicely in the pan.
- Then line the bottom with more lady fingers, cutting to fit.
- Melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave.
- Add milk and stir.
- Add butter.
- Add egg yolks.
- In a mixing bowl whip cream.
- Add in chocolate mixture.
- In a third bowl beat egg whites until it creates soft peaks
- Add sugar to egg whites and beat for another minute.
- Fold into chocolate mixture.
- Pour or spoon the mixture into the springform pan and cover with plastic.
- Refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours until firm.
- Remove the outer ring and decorate with chocolate shavings, whipped cream, or fruit.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although attempts have been made to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Inger
This is setting in the refrigerator now, but from scraping the pan for nibbles, I already know it's delicious. Since perhaps my pan was less deep (or maybe I filled it less high), I had enough for a second smaller Charlotte.
My mother made this decades ago (wonder if she had the 1959 cookbook mentioned above) but it didn't become a staple--perhaps since it's a little "putzier" than some recipes. As a helpful hint, I did learn that giving the side ladyfingers a flat bottom with a slight lean will help them stand up in the pan.
Patti Estep
Good to know Inger. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Carl
My sister and I have fond memories of this divine dessert. It has remained in family folklore, lik the Holy Grail, since our mother last made it for us 50 years ago. We are very excited to have discovered the recipe and plan to make it soon, but we can't until we find soft ladyfingers. The local supermarkets don't have them, and everything I see on line seems hard. Can anyone help?
Patti Estep
Carl, I'm sorry you are having a hard time finding the right ladyfingers. Perhaps you know someone who is good at baking that can make some. If anyone answers your comment here I will pass it along.
Inger
I just made my own...
bonnie Joy
This dessert was decadent!! I made it for Easter Sunday and everyone raved about it! Will definitely make it again.
Patti Estep
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
Mary
I beleive your mom may have found this recipe in a delightful book called "The ABC's of Desserts" which was part of a little cookbook series done by the Peter Pauper Press in the 1960's.
Patti Estep
I don't remember her having that book but it's very possible. Thanks for sharing that info Mary.
Eunice Speckenheuer
Hi! I am so excited to find this recipe! I used to make this back in the 70's! I found my hand written recipe and some of what I wrote wasn't making sense - go figure! I will say I added 1 1/2 tbls of dark rum or you can add Kahlua. Love that your mom made this for you! Sweet memory!
Patti Estep
Great idea Eunice. I'll have to try adding rum or Kahlua next time. Thanks for sharing.
Melissa Ruddy
This looks divine! Can not wait to have an excuse to make this one.
Hil
That looks so tasty!!
Thanks for sharing at #bloggerspotlight! Pinned it!
Krystal Sadler
I love the chocolate shavings on top. They add the perfect elegant touch! Thanks for linking up with us at Share the Wealth Sunday!
Miz Helen
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
Charlene Asay
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!
Rhonda
I've never heard of a Charlotte Cake, but it looks delicious. Thanks for sharing on Sunday's Best.
Sue
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
Ashley
Wow, that looks amazing! so decadent!
Mother of 3
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.
Anca
Ina Garten has a great mac and cheese Recipe with breadcrumbs and tomato topping… it’s on YouTube. 🤗
Jhuls
Wow! That cake looks so delicious! Can I have a slice or two? 😀 Thanks for sharing!
Rosemary @anitalianinmykitchen
This looks amazing, the perfect chocolate dessert. Happy New Year.
Patti
Thanks Rosemary.
Happy New Year!
Pat Treadway
This cake is included as under the title, "Refrigerator Cake" on page 296 of the 1959 edition of Farm Journal Cookbook, edited by Nell B Nichols and published by Doubleday. It was pictured on the cover of the paperback version which my mother owned. Our copy of that wonderful cookbook got such overuse that it ended service in a plastic bag. My mother-in-law had the hard cover edition which she gave me in the 80's. It is pictured on the inside front plate of the hard cover edition.
Patti Estep
Pat, that's so interesting. I'm going to have to look it up. Thanks for sharing.
SheilaG- Plum Doodles
This looks delicious. I didn't know what a Charlotte cake was- thanks for the info!
Patti
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
Vanessa
This looks amazing, Patti. I love lady fingers in desserts. Yummy
Paula@SweetPea
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
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
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking
That looks heavenly - so gorgeous, yet easy too.
Patti
Thanks Maryann!
kathy@petticoatjunktion
Looks delicious! Thanks for explaining what "Charlotte" means. I didn't know that.
Patti
I thought it was super interesting too. Thanks Kathy!
Meegan
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
Well then you are half way there. Thanks for stopping by Meegan and Happy New Year!
Jessica
This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Patti
Thank Jessica!
Patti
Thanks Jessica!
Shelley
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
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!
Vicki and Jennifer 2 Bees in a Pod
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
Thanks Vicki & Jennifer. Cheers to you as well!
Lindsay Eidahl
This looks delicious!!!!
Patti
Thanks Lindasy. It was.