Knowing when your food will expire can be crucial for cooking and baking. Do you have chocolate mousse you want to use for a recipe but don't know how long before it goes bad? Well, we've done extensive research into this topic and have the answer for you. Let's check it out.
Generally, chocolate mousse lasts between four and five days in the fridge. However, if you have chocolate mousse out of the refrigerator, this timeline shortens to less than six hours.
Considering the consistency of mousse, leaving it too long before using it can ruin your dessert, so the sooner it's gone, the better.
As we begin, we will discuss all things chocolate mousse and get into how long your dessert will last. Whether you're an avid baker or just starting, we're here to offer plenty of guidance. With that said, let's dive right into this post!
Does Chocolate Mousse Expire?
Yes, chocolate mousse does expire. You can usually expect your dessert to last 4-5 days in the refrigerator, although most bakers prefer to use/consume mousse the same or the next day.
On the other hand, if you have mousse sit out, this expiration comes much faster. Typically, the maximum time you can allow a chocolate mousse to sit out is 4-6 hours, so keep that in mind.
Remember, mousse is dairy, so it won't react well to being out of the cold very long. Furthermore, your chocolate mousse will lose its shape and texture the more it's at room temperature, so it can get messy.
How Long Will A Chocolate Mousse Cake Last?
Generally, a chocolate mousse cake will last up to four days in the fridge. Again, we don't recommend pushing the limits, so ideally, you want to finish your dessert within two days.
Anything past 48 hours will result in a less than tasty cake, so the sooner, the better. It's also important to tightly wrap and cover mousse cake in the refrigerator, so make sure to do that.
Plastic saran wrap is what we recommend.
What Ingredients Are In Chocolate Mousse?
A chocolate mousse usually consists of chocolate, cream, sugar, eggs, and butter. Of course, every recipe is different, but this is typically the base of a chocolate mousse dessert.
One of the reasons mousse expires so fast is that it contains eggs, butter, and cream. Dairy, in general, tends to react to aging much quicker than other ingredients, hence why your mousse doesn't last long.
Again, this is common, so if you notice your mousse changing shape or consistency after one or two days, you can blame its dairy ingredients.
Can You Make Chocolate Mousse Without Dairy?
Yes! If you don't eat dairy or want to keep your mousse in the fridge for an extra day or two, you can certainly make your dessert without cream or butter.
According to Simply Quinoa, you'll want to use the following for non-dairy chocolate mousse:
- 80% dark chocolate
- Full fat coconut milk
- Coconut butter
- Coconut oil
- Maple syrup
Furthermore, this recipe is vegan, so it's perfect for any diet. You can also try adding extra sugar or flavoring to your mousse, so this isn't the only way to avoid dairy while baking.
It's also crucial to find fatty coconut milk and oil, which will essentially give your mousse the thickness it's now missing without heavy cream and butter.
What Are The Signs Of Expired Mousse?
The easiest way to tell that chocolate mousse is bad is to smell and inspect it. Generally, an expired mousse will have a white coating, which is when some of the crystalline fat melts and rises to the top.
The expired chocolate mousse will also have a sour smell. This is due to the dairy spoiling, so ignoring it won't be easy. Additionally, mousse that is past its due date will look wet or slimy, so throw your mousse away if you notice any of these things.
Although eating gone bad dessert may sound harmless, it can make you ill.
Can You Get Sick From Expired Chocolate Mousse?
Yes, you can get sick from eating expired chocolate mousse. Considering this dessert is dairy (unless vegan), consuming it after it's gone sour can be dangerous to your health.
According to the Queensland University of Technology, eating desserts with minimally cooked eggs once they've expired can lead to food-borne salmonella outbreaks.
Of course, this applies to a larger scale, but you can still become sick if you decide to snack on soured mousse. This is also important for those baking for bigger events or large amounts of people, so make sure to write the date on your chocolate mousse before storing it.
Why Is My Chocolate Mousse Bitter?
Depending on what kind of chocolate a mousse has, this can affect its sweetness. Generally, darker chocolates tend to be more bitter, hence the unsweet mousse.
To fix this, you want to add more sugar to your recipe, which will sweeten things up. Furthermore, you may also notice bitterness in older chocolate mousse, as it loses flavor after a day or so in the fridge.
Like we covered, the faster you serve and eat mousse, regardless of flavor, the better.
What Is The Best Type Of Chocolate For Mousse?
For those wanting to make chocolate mousse at home, this comes down to your preference. Dark chocolates tend to be more bitter than lighter options, like we said above.
Of course, that may be what you're going for, so if you want a semi-sweet mousse, go with mild dark chocolate. Furthermore, if you prefer a super sweet dessert, Hershey's cocoa powder may be the better choice.
Again, every palette is different, so you might want to have semi-bitter chocolate with added powdered sugar or stick to something initially sweet. There's no "right" way to do this.
Why Isn't My Chocolate Mousse Fluffy?
If your chocolate mousse lacks fluff, this is most likely because of your ingredient measurements. According to Valrhona Collection, the amount of cocoa butter you put into mousse will affect its fluffiness.
Of course, that could also be the problem if you used plain butter. You'll want to either re-whip your chocolate mousse or start over to fix this.
One of the most critical stages of making mousse is how well you whip it, so if you don't spend enough time on this step, expect less than ideal results.
Why Is My Chocolate Mousse Runny?
Although a few things can cause runny mousse, the egg yolk mixture is usually to blame. If your recipe doesn't have a thick enough egg mixture, your chocolate mousse will be more liquid.
Furthermore, if your whipped cream isn't thick enough, expect a runny dessert. Think of this as the thicker your whips and mixtures, the better consistency your mousse will have.
Again, ingredients make a huge difference here, so not all recipes need to follow the same format.
Can You Put Chocolate Mousse In The Freezer?
Yes! If you want to save some of your mousses for a later time, the freezer is a great idea. Typically, you can expect mousse to last up to two months frozen, so that's a good long-term idea.
To freeze chocolate mousse, wrap it tightly and store it in an airtight container. This will keep your mousse from freezer burn and protect its flavor/consistency.
It's also a good idea to place the chocolate mousse towards the middle/back of the freezer, as this is where it will stay coldest. We don't recommend placing frozen dairy on the freezer door, as this section tends to be warmer than the rest of your appliance.
How Do You Use Frozen Mousse?
Once you're ready to use your frozen mousse, you'll need to place it into the fridge. Ideally, you should keep your mousse in your refrigerator for several hours.
This process can take overnight, so make sure to allow enough time before serving. Furthermore, don't try to heat frozen mousse before serving/using it, as this will ruin its texture and flavor.
However, if your chocolate mousse was only in the freezer for a few days, you could also try letting it sit out for a few minutes before using it, although this is a bit riskier than refrigeration.
To Wrap Things Up
Whether you love making chocolate mousse or want to try it, it is essential to know how long it lasts. From what we found, a chocolate mousse will typically last up to five days in the refrigerator.
Of course, we recommend using and serving mousse within one or two days if you want it to have the best flavor/consistency, so time will make a difference. Dairy tends to sour rather quickly, so the sooner you eat chocolate mousse, the better.
Regardless, wrap your mousse tightly and place it into an airtight container if you plan on freezing it.
Made it to the end? Check out these helpful related kitchen posts below!
Can You Freeze Chocolate Truffles? How Long Will They Last?
Can You Make Hot Chocolate In An Espresso Machine?
Should You Melt Butter For Chocolate Chip Cookies?
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