I absolutely love chocolate and toffee — and cakes. Rich chocolate, crunchy toffee, and light, fluffy mousse combined in a scrumptious cake make my taste buds jump with joy. Every bite is a heavenly experience that leaves me wanting more.
What I love about this cake is the contrast between the crunchy toffee and the smooth mousse. It’s a perfect balance of textures that makes it a delight to eat. Plus, the rich chocolate flavor is simply divine.
If you’re a chocolate lover like me, then you absolutely must try this cake. It’s perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to dinner parties — or Father’s Day that is just around the corner. And, this cake is surprisingly easy to make, so even if you’re not an experienced baker, you can still impress your friends and family with this decadent dessert.
Ingredients
As someone who loves to bake, I can tell you that the ingredients are the heart and soul of any recipe. For this chocolate toffee mousse cake, you’ll need to gather the following:
Ingredients for the Cake
- 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate fudge cake mix
- Water, vegetable oil, and eggs (as called for on cake mix box)
- 1 box (3.9 oz) chocolate-flavor instant pudding & pie filling mix (dry)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
Ingredients for the Toffee
- 1 package (8 oz) milk chocolate toffee bits
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Ingredients for the Mousse
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
- 1/4 cup cold water
You’ll also need some additional ingredients for the frosting and decoration, such as whipped cream, melted chocolate, and more Heath bar bits.
Instructions
Here are the instructions to make this delicious chocolate toffee mousse cake:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and prepare a 9-inch cake pan by greasing and flouring it.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate fudge cake mix, chocolate-flavor instant pudding mix, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
3. Add in the water, vegetable oil, eggs, and buttermilk as called for on the cake mix box. Stir until well combined.
4. Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 30—35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
5. While the cake is baking, prepare the toffee by combining the milk chocolate toffee bits and brown sugar in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.
6. To make the mousse, place the chopped semisweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl and set aside.
7. In a small saucepan, sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over the cold water and let it sit for 5 minutes to soften.
8. Heat the gelatin mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
9. In a separate mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
10. Pour the dissolved gelatin mixture over the chopped semisweet chocolate and stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
11. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until well combined.
12. Once the cake has finished baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely.
13. Once the cake has cooled, use a serrated knife to carefully slice it in half horizontally.
14. Spread half of the toffee mixture over the bottom half of the cake.
15. Spread half of the chocolate mousse mixture over the toffee layer.
16. Place the top half of the cake over the mousse layer.
17. Repeat steps 14—16 with the remaining toffee and mousse.
18. Once the cake has been fully assembled, refrigerate it for at least 2 hours to allow the mousse to set.
19. Serve and enjoy your delicious chocolate toffee mousse cake!
Tips and Tricks
For your convenience, I have picked up some tips and tricks that can make the process easier and the end result even more delicious.
Read here the instructions on how to use pudding with cake mix.
First of all, when making the cake layers, make sure to use buttermilk instead of regular milk. Buttermilk adds a tangy flavor and helps to keep the cake moist. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute by mixing regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.
To ensure your cake turns out perfectly, make sure to measure all ingredients accurately and follow the instructions carefully. Don’t forget to preheat your oven and prepare your baking pans with cooking spray or butter and flour. With a little patience and attention to detail, you’ll have a delicious chocolate toffee mousse cake that’s sure to impress!
When selecting your ingredients, it’s important to choose high-quality chocolate, cream, and butter. These ingredients will make a big difference in the final taste and texture of your cake. I recommend using semisweet chocolate chips or bars for the cake and mousse, and unsalted butter for the toffee and frosting.
When making the chocolate mousse filling, be sure to use high-quality chocolate. The better the chocolate, the creamier and richer the mousse will be. Also, make sure to chill the mousse in the refrigerator for at least an hour before using it in the cake. This will help it set up and make it easier to work with.
If you’re concerned about calories, you can make some substitutions to make the cake a bit healthier. For example, you can use skimmed milk and lemon juice instead of buttermilk in the cake batter to add some protein and reduce the amount of fat. You can also use a sugar substitute in the cake batter and the mousse filling to reduce the amount of sugars.
Finally, when decorating the cake, feel free to get creative! You can sprinkle some toffee bits or chopped nuts on top for some extra crunch. You can also use fresh berries or whipped cream to add some color and flavor. Get more decoration ideas here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make a toffee mousse cake?
To make a toffee mousse cake, you will need to prepare a cake base, chocolate mousse, and toffee pieces. First, bake the chocolate cake according to the recipe. Once the cake has cooled, cut it into layers. Then, prepare the chocolate mousse and fold in the toffee pieces. Spread the mousse over each cake layer, and stack them on top of each other. Finally, cover the entire cake with a layer of chocolate ganache and decorate as desired.
How long does it take to make a chocolate toffee mousse cake?
The time it takes to make a chocolate toffee mousse cake will depend on your baking skills. Generally, it takes around 2-3 hours to prepare and assemble the cake, including baking time for the cake base.
Can you freeze a chocolate toffee mousse cake?
Yes, you can freeze a chocolate toffee mousse cake. To do so, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, remove the cake from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
What is the difference between chocolate mousse and chocolate mousse cake?
Chocolate mousse is a dessert made by whipping together chocolate, eggs, and cream to create a light and airy texture. Chocolate mousse cake, on the other hand, is a cake that has layers of chocolate mousse sandwiched between layers of cake.
How do you prevent chocolate mousse from becoming grainy?
To prevent chocolate mousse from becoming grainy, make sure that all of your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin. Also, be sure to melt the chocolate slowly and gently, stirring constantly to prevent it from seizing. Finally, when you are folding in the whipped cream, be gentle and use a light hand to avoid overmixing.