This is possibly my favorite Chocolate Mousse Tart and people just can’t seem to get enough of it. Decorated with melted chocolate and Chocolate Almond Pinecones make it delicious and beautiful!

Total Time: Prep: 30 min. + freezing
Yield: 16 servings

Ingredients

1-1/4 cups chocolate wafer crumbs (about 25 wafers)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted

FILLING:
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk chocolate chips
4 ounces white baking chocolate
1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup water
5 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup half-and-half cream, warmed
1-3/4 cups heavy whipping cream
Semisweet chocolate chips, melted and Chocolate Almond Pinecones, optional

Directions

1. Combine the first three ingredients; press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes. Cool. Place each flavor of chocolate in a separate bowl; set aside. In another bowl, sprinkle gelatin over water; let stand for 1 minute or until softened.

2. In a small bowl, beat egg yolks on high speed for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually whisk in half-and-half.

3. Transfer to a large saucepan; cook and stir over medium heat until a thermometer reads 160° and mixture has thickened, about 3 minutes.

4. Remove from the heat; stir in gelatin until dissolved. Immediately pour a third of the egg mixture over each flavor of chocolate; quickly stir each until melted. Cool for 10 minutes.

5. In a large bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold a third of the whipped cream into each bowl. Pour bittersweet chocolate mixture into prepared pan. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes. Repeat with milk chocolate mixture, then white chocolate mixture.

6. To serve, carefully run a sharp a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Remove side of pan. Garnish if desired by drizzling with melted chocolate to create pine boughs and topping with chocolate Almond Pinecones.

Chocolate Almond Pinecones

Total Time: Prep: 25 min. + standing
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

1 tube (7 ounces) almond paste
4 ounces sliced almonds
1-1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening

Directions

1. Divide almond paste into six equal portions. Form each into a cone shape, about 1-1/2 in. tall and 1 in. in diameter. Beginning at the base, insert pointed end of almonds into paste to resemble a pinecone.

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Insert a toothpick into bottom of each cone. Holding over bowl, spoon melted chocolate over almonds (if needed, use another toothpick to spread the chocolate to completely cover almonds). Place on a wire rack over waxed paper; let stand until firm.