Easy Salted Caramel Mousse that Melts Hearts in 30 Minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cup Heavy Cream (Essential for whipping)
• 1 cup Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet or dark; choose higher cocoa content for intense flavor)
• 1 cup Caramel Sauce (Store-bought or homemade; plus extra for drizzling)
• 1 tsp Sea Salt (Adjust to your taste; plus extra for sprinkling)
• 0.25 cup Powdered Sugar (Sweetens and stabilizes)
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract (Almond extract is a lovely alternative)

Steps

1. 1

   Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until smooth. Let the chocolate cool slightly.

2. 2

   In a clean bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.

3. 3

   Gradually add the powdered sugar to the cream while continuing to whip until stiff peaks form.

4. 4

   Gently fold the slightly cooled chocolate into the whipped cream, being careful not to deflate the mixture to maintain the airy texture.

5. 5

   Fold in the smooth caramel sauce and vanilla extract until blended.

6. 6

   Sprinkle in the sea salt and mix gently.

7. 7

   Spoon the mousse into serving dishes and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.

8. 8

   Just before serving, drizzle with extra caramel sauce and a pinch of sea salt.

Notes

Make Ahead: You can prepare the mousse up to 24 hours in advance. Keep the serving dishes covered in the refrigerator to prevent absorbing odors. Variations: For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream. Suggested Pairings: Serve with fresh berries (strawberries or raspberries), shortbread cookies, chocolate shavings, or a cup of espresso.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• no-bake
• salted caramel
• mousse
• vegetarian
• easy
• make-ahead