Decadent Chocolate Parfait Mousse Dessert

Layered with rich chocolate mousse, crunchy Oreo crumbs, and fluffy whipped cream, these individual Chocolate Parfait Mousse Desserts are a perfectly indulgent treat to satisfy every chocolate craving! Plus with make-ahead options, these no-bake layer desserts are great for serving to a crowd.

In the United States parfaits are usually a cream filling, either pudding or mousse, layered with a cookie crumbs and a whip cream.

These mousse dessert cups have a french silk inspired chocolate filling lightened with whipped cream. Lusciously creamy, with deep chocolate flavor, and crunchy Oreo crumbs… can it get much better? 

This recipe was inspired by the French Silk Pie from Handle the Heat. We lightened the filling, layered it with crushed Oreos and homemade whipped cream. A truly delicious dessert for any dinner party or Valentine's Day celebration.

If you are looking for other chocolate recipes, try this Moist Chocolate Bundt Cake, this Chocolate Bread (coming soon!), or these Lava Cakes. Chocolate is definitely one of our love languages!

🏅 Why this recipe is great 

There are plenty of recipes out there for chocolate parfaits... so what makes this one special? Instead of just ho hum chocolate pudding, it's ALL in the decadent french silk mousse filling! 

French silk chocolate mousse has a richer, deeper chocolate flavor than regular chocolate mousse. It’s ultra-creamy without being dense or too light. This is a true chocolate lover’s dessert and honestly the best chocolate parfait recipe.

🍫  Chocolate Parfait Ingredients

Bittersweet chocolate: Bittersweet is my favorite for deep flavor, but you can also substitute with dark chocolate. We do not recommend chocolate chips for this recipe. The additives will not allow it to set correctly.
Sugar: Just white granulated sugar for the mousse.
Eggs: We will be cooking the eggs in this french silk filling, so no worries about raw eggs! Be sure they are room temperature before cooking.
Vanilla: Adds just a bit of extra depth of flavor.
Butter: I use salted, but unsalted will work just fine.
Heavy cream: You will whip the heavy whipping cream for both the french silk chocolate mousse and the whipped cream layer. Please don't substitute Cool Whip. They do not taste or act the same as homemade whipped cream.
Powdered sugar: Powdered sugar has a bit of cornstarch in it, which will help the whipped cream hold its shape.
Oreos: You can also use generic brand chocolate cookies.

🔪 How to make chocolate mousse parfaits without raw eggs

Let’s start with the french silk chocolate mousse. This part does require dirtying a few dishes, but I promise the end result is worth it! 

Chocolate mousse filling

• Melt the chocolate: I do this in the microwave for ease, but you can use a double-broiler too. 
• Cook the eggs and sugar: Cook both the egg yolks and egg whites in a saucepan over medium-low heat with the sugar. Make sure to whisk constantly as it will burn easily. Continue cooking until it has reached 160°F AND thickened slightly. This takes about 4-6 minutes for me. 
• I have found that sometimes the thermometer says 160, but the mixture really isn’t thick enough. But if you overcook it, the final mousse will not have the right texture. To test if the mixture is truly done, do the spoon test. 👇
• Spoon test: Dip a spoon in the mixture and use your finger to draw a line on the back of the spoon. When the line holds (the mixture doesn't drip back into the line) the base is ready. 

• Add chocolate: Remove the mixture from the heat and whisk in the melted chocolate and vanilla. Then allow to cool until it’s just warm so it won’t melt the butter in the next step. 
• Whip butter: In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or using a hand mixer, beat the butter until it is light and fluffy. Then slowly incorporate the cooled chocolate mixture. Once combined, beat on high for 5 minutes, making it light and fluffy. Set aside. 
• Whip cream: In a clean large bowl, whip the cream with the whisk attachment on med-high or with a electric hand mixer until it starts to thicken. Then turn to high and beat until stiff peaks have formed. 
• Fold in the cream: Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Do this with a rubber spatula very gently - if you stir normally, you will beat all of the air out of the cream. 

I promise the rest is easy! Just make the whipped cream, crush the cookies, and assemble. The final product will be similar to a chocolate Oreo parfait.

Parfait layers

Whip the cream: Whip the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form. You can spoon this into the cups or place the whip cream in a pastry bag for easy layering.

Crush the cookies: In a food processor, pulse the Oreo cookies until they are fine crumbs. 

How to assemble chocolate parfaits

• Step 1: Assemble the chocolate parfaits in 8 oz glasses, parfait cups, or mason jars. Layer about ⅛ cup of Oreo crumbs. Lightly tamp down the cookie crumbs.
• Step 2: Next place ¼ cup of chocolate mousse in an even layer.
• Step 3: Top with 3 tablespoons of whipped cream.
• Step 4: Repeat so that each jar has two layers of everything. Then sprinkle with Oreo cookie crumbs on the top. If you are out of crumbs feel free to top with chocolate shavings or dust with cocoa powder.

Chill: Chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving, or up to 1 day.

If storing overnight be sure to cover the top with plastic wrap before placing in the refrigerator. Chocolate Parfait Mousse Desserts should last one day, two at most.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For a crowd

When making chocolate mousse parfaits for a crowd, I suggest making them a day ahead. That makes them the perfect dessert for dinner parties. You can store them fully assembled in the fridge for up to 1 day.

I also suggest making sure you have enough glasses for your crowd before making them. If you don’t have 8 oz serving glasses, you can also use smaller glasses and just adjust the layers to fit into your cups.

Another option would be to make these as one large dessert instead of in individual cups. Layer the chocolate filling, the whipped cream, and the Oreo crumbs into a trifle dish or medium bowl.

🙋 Questions and Answers

👨🏼‍🍳 Tips & Tricks

• Don’t overcook or undercook the egg mixture. The thickness of this mixture determines the texture of the final mousse. The mixture should be at least 160° and just thick enough to pass the spoon test (see recipe card). 
• Fold the cream into the chocolate very gently, trying to keep as much air in the mixture as possible.
• The quality of chocolate will determine the taste of the final product. Our favorite brand at a reasonable price is Ghiradelli or Trader Joes. Not sponsored, just what we actually use.

📖 Chocolate dessert lovers recipes

• The Perfect Chocolate Bundt Cake - This cake is truly fool-proof perfection! Moist, rich chocolate flavor, and luscious chocolate ganache. Be sure to serve with ice cream!
• Chocolate Lava Cakes for a Crowd - These lava cakes are easy desserts to make and perfect for serving a crowd. 
• Chocolate Mint Cookies - Soft, fudgy cookies with a melted Andes mint on top. Perfect flavor combination for holidays!
• TRIPLE Chocolate Bread - A moist and luscious treat perfect for breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert.

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