Name: Easy Coffee Mousse Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5 large eggs, yolks and whites separated; 25 grams (¼ cup) granulated sugar; 240 grams heavy cream; 120 grams strongly brewed coffee, room temperature; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ⅛ teaspoon salt; 5 large egg whites; 75 grams (¾ cup) granulated sugar; ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar; Cocoa powder, for dusting; Coffee beans, for garnish

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If you love the rich, bold taste of coffee and crave a dessert that’s light, fluffy, and utterly delicious, then this Easy Coffee Mousse Recipe is about to become your new favorite treat. It perfectly balances the deep coffee flavor with a silky custard and airy meringue, making each spoonful an irresistible experience. Whether you’re impressing guests or just indulging yourself, this mousse is simple to make and elegant to serve.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass bowl filled with a light beige, bubbly liquid batter with a slightly frothy texture. A metal whisk with a white handle rests inside the bowl, partially submerged in the mixture. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface, with parts of two empty clear glasses softly blurred in the background. The scene has soft, natural lighting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this Easy Coffee Mousse Recipe is in its simplicity. Each ingredient is thoughtfully chosen to create that perfect combination of creamy texture, subtle sweetness, and robust coffee flavor. Let’s break down what you’ll need:

5 large eggs, yolks and whites separated: Fresh eggs give the mousse its rich custard base and airy meringue texture.
100 grams granulated sugar divided (25g and 75g): The sugar sweetens the custard and stabilizes the meringue for fluffy peaks.
240 grams heavy cream: Adds creaminess and body to the custard, making the mousse luxuriously smooth.
120 grams strongly brewed coffee, room temperature: Provides the intense coffee flavor that makes this mousse special.
½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the depth of flavor with a warm, sweet aroma.
⅛ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the coffee notes.
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar: Stabilizes the egg whites so they whip to stiff peaks.

How to Make Easy Coffee Mousse Recipe

Step 1: Whisking the Egg Yolks with Sugar

Start by whisking the egg yolks and 25 grams of sugar in a medium bowl until the mixture turns pale and creamy. This step helps to dissolve the sugar and prepare a smooth custard base that will hold the coffee flavor beautifully.

Step 2: Heating the Cream and Coffee

Next, combine the heavy cream, brewed coffee, vanilla extract, and salt in a saucepan. Warm this mixture on medium-low until you see little bubbles forming around the edges, making sure it doesn’t boil. This heated mixture is what will infuse the custard base with that irresistible coffee taste.

Step 3: Tempering the Egg Yolks

Slowly pour the hot coffee cream into the egg yolk mixture while whisking continuously. Tempering in this manner prevents the eggs from scrambling and ensures a smooth custard. Then, pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan to gently thicken over low heat, whisking until it coats the back of a spoon.

Step 4: Beating Egg Whites with Sugar and Cream of Tartar

Using a stand or hand mixer, beat the separated egg whites with the remaining sugar and cream of tartar until stiff, glossy peaks form. This meringue will give the mousse its signature light and fluffy texture.

Step 5: Folding Meringue into Custard

Carefully fold the meringue into the cooled coffee custard in two batches. Gently combine until the mixture is uniform in color without any white streaks—avoiding overmixing keeps the mousse delightfully airy.

Step 6: Chilling the Mousse

Divide the mousse into 4 to 5 serving cups or glasses. Cover with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. This resting time lets the mousse set and brings all those wonderful coffee flavors together.

How to Serve Easy Coffee Mousse Recipe

The image shows two clear glass cups of light brown coffee mousse with a creamy, smooth texture on top. Each mousse is sprinkled with fine dark brown cocoa powder and decorated with whole dark brown coffee beans. One cup sits on a white plate with a silver spoon resting inside, scooping up some mousse, revealing its soft texture. The background is a white marbled surface, with a black coffee grinder and a white cloth adding to the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

The perfect finishing touch for your Easy Coffee Mousse Recipe is a dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder and a few whole coffee beans on top. They not only add rich color contrast but also boost the coffee aroma with every bite.

Side Dishes

This mousse pairs beautifully with simple sides like crisp biscotti, buttery shortbread cookies, or even fresh berries. These complements provide texture and a balance of flavors to round out the dessert experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For a more dramatic presentation, serve the mousse in delicate glass cups layered with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of finely chopped dark chocolate. You can also pipe the mousse using a large star tip to create elegant swirls, ideal for special occasions or dinner parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers, store the mousse in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 2 to 3 days, so you can enjoy this Easy Coffee Mousse Recipe even after the initial serving.

Freezing

While this mousse tastes best fresh or well-chilled, you can freeze it as a last resort. Place the mousse in airtight containers and freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving, but be aware the texture might become slightly denser upon thawing.

Reheating

Since this is a cold dessert, reheating is not recommended. Instead, simply allow the chilled mousse to come to a slightly warmer temperature at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.

FAQs

Can I use instant coffee instead of brewed coffee?

Absolutely! You can dissolve strong instant coffee in hot water as a convenient substitute. Just make sure it’s concentrated to maintain that bold coffee flavor essential for this recipe.

Is it safe to use raw eggs in this recipe?

This recipe does use raw eggs, but the eggs are gently cooked when you temper the yolks with hot cream and coffee mixture and then cook until thickened. Always use the freshest eggs possible and consider pasteurized eggs if you have concerns.

How long does it take for the mousse to set properly?

The mousse needs at least 1 to 2 hours in the refrigerator to chill and set fully. This waiting time is crucial to develop its signature texture, so try not to rush the process.

Can I make this mousse dairy-free?

You can substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream to make a dairy-free version. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious. Just remember that the coconut flavor will influence the final taste.

What can I do if my meringue doesn’t stiffen?

Make sure there are no traces of yolk in your egg whites, and that your mixing bowl is completely clean and dry. Adding cream of tartar helps stabilize the whites, so don’t skip it. Also, grinding sugar slightly or using superfine sugar can aid the process.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about creating this Easy Coffee Mousse Recipe from scratch. It’s a dessert that feels fancy but is surprisingly simple to make, and it brings a touch of cafe elegance right to your own home. So go ahead and try this recipe for your next special occasion or a cozy evening in — your taste buds will thank you!