If you’re intimidated by the prospect of making a mousse, this recipe is pretty cool. Once you’ve warmed up the milk, just combine everything in the blender, then pop it in the fridge to chill. Desserts don’t get any easier than that. Top individual servings with any kind of flavored cream you like; I like orange with chocolate, but a cinnamon cream would be nice, too.

　　

Ingredients

4 servings

　　

Mousse

1/2 cup whole milk

　　3 tablespoons granulated sugar

　　1/4 teaspoon instant espresso powder

　　1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

　　3 large egg whites

　　

Orange Mascarpone Whipped Cream

1/4 cup mascarpone cheese, at room temperature

　　2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

　　1/2 cup heavy cream

　　2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

　　1 teaspoon grated orange zest

　　

To Make the Mousse

Step 1

In a small saucepan stir the milk together with the granulated sugar and the espresso powder over medium heat until the milk is hot, but not boiling, and the sugar is dissolved.

　　

Step 2

Place the chocolate chips in a blender. Pour the hot milk over the chips. Run the blender on high until combined, just a few seconds, then add the egg whites and run the blender on high until light, about 1 minute. Transfer the mousse to 4 small serving cups. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours.

　　

To Make the Mascarpone Whipped Cream

Step 3

In the bowl of an electric mixer stir together the mascarpone and the orange juice until smooth. Add the cream, confectioners’ sugar, and orange zest. Whip until the cream forms soft peaks, about 1 minute.

　　

Step 4

Spoon a dollop of the whipped cream onto each mousse and serve.

　　

Note

Step 5

This recipe includes raw egg whites, which are not recommended for children, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems. If you have health concerns about raw eggs, choose a different recipe.

　　

Step 6

The mascarpone whipped cream can be made several hours ahead of time and stored, covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator.

　　Reprinted with permission from Giada's Kitchen: New Italian Favorites by Giada De Laurentiis. Copyright © 2008 by Giada De Laurentiis. Published by Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Giada De Laurentiis is the star of Food Network's Everyday Italian and Behind the Bash. She attended the Cordon Bleu in Paris, and then worked in a variety of Los Angeles restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck's Spago, before starting her own catering and private-chef company, GDL Foods. The granddaughter of movie producer Dino De Laurentiis, Giada was born in Rome and grew up in Los Angeles, where she now lives.