These irresistibly decadent Dark Chocolate Mousse Bars feature a perfectly crisp graham cracker crust, a rich, egg-free chocolate mousse recipe, and a luscious chocolate ganache topping. Each bite delivers a delightful blend of three tempting layers, promising an unforgettable dessert experience.

A perfectly sliced Dark Chocolate Mousse Bar on a white plate, garnished with a fresh raspberry, showcasing its distinct layers.

Indulge in Decadence: The Ultimate Dark Chocolate Mousse Bars

For any true chocolate enthusiast, few desserts captivate quite like a well-crafted chocolate mousse. And when that silky mousse is layered over a crunchy crust and topped with a glossy ganache, you’ve achieved dessert nirvana. Our Dark Chocolate Mousse Bars are designed to deliver just that—a symphony of textures and profound chocolate flavor in every bite. This recipe isn’t just delicious; it’s remarkably straightforward to prepare, making it a perfect choice for both seasoned bakers and eager beginners.

What makes these bars truly stand out is the use of rich bittersweet chocolate, which lends an incredible depth to the mousse. While many recipes call for semi-sweet, the bittersweet variety ensures a sophisticated, intense chocolate experience that isn’t overly sugary. My baking cupboard, a testament to my love for all things sweet, always stocks a generous supply of Ghirardelli chocolate bars, and for this recipe, their bittersweet chips were the undeniable star. It’s the secret to achieving that deep, luxurious chocolate flavor that elevates these bars from good to absolutely phenomenal.

An overhead shot of several Dark Chocolate Mousse Bars arranged neatly on a white serving tray, highlighting their elegant presentation and tempting layers.

Crafting Your Culinary Masterpiece: A Step-by-Step Guide to Dark Chocolate Mousse Bars

Despite their elegant appearance, these Dark Chocolate Mousse Bars are surprisingly simple to assemble, offering a phenomenal payoff for minimal effort. Let’s break down each layer, ensuring you achieve perfection every time.

The Foundation: A Perfect Graham Cracker Crust

The journey to these exquisite bars begins with a simple yet essential graham cracker crust. Combine crushed graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter. This mixture forms a delightful base that provides a crucial textural contrast to the smooth mousse. Once mixed, press it firmly and evenly into your prepared pan. A flat-bottomed glass or a measuring cup works wonders for tamping it down to create a compact, sturdy crust. After a brief bake, allow it to cool completely. This cooling step is vital to prevent the warm crust from melting the mousse layer that follows.

The Star: Velvety Egg-Free Dark Chocolate Mousse

The heart of this dessert is its rich, egg-free chocolate mousse. This method offers a lighter, yet incredibly creamy, texture and eliminates concerns about raw eggs, making it safe and enjoyable for everyone. Start by whipping room-temperature cream cheese until it’s light and fluffy. The cream cheese provides a stable, tangy base that perfectly complements the chocolate.

Next, gently fold in a cup of melted bittersweet chocolate. For a truly silky-smooth mousse, the cream cheese absolutely must be at room temperature. If it’s cold, you’ll end up with tiny white specks of unmixed cream cheese, detracting from the desired smooth consistency. This is a common pitfall that’s easily avoided.

PRO-Tip for Perfect Cream Cheese: Forgot to set your cream cheese out? No problem! To quickly bring it to room temperature, place the foil-wrapped brick of cream cheese in a bowl of warm (not boiling) water for about 10-15 minutes. This gentle warming will soften it perfectly without melting. Trust me, this small step makes a huge difference in the final texture of your mousse.

Once your chocolate and cream cheese are beautifully combined, it’s time to lighten the mixture with whipped heavy cream. For the best results, ensure your heavy cream is very cold, and for an extra boost, chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for 15-30 minutes before whipping. This cold environment helps the cream whip up faster and hold its volume better. Whip the cream to soft peaks, then gently fold it into the chocolate and cream cheese mixture until just combined. Over-mixing can deflate the mousse, so a light hand is key. Spread this heavenly mousse layer evenly over your cooled graham cracker crust.

The Grand Finale: Silky Smooth Chocolate Ganache

The final touch is a luxurious chocolate ganache topping. This layer adds an extra dimension of chocolate intensity and a stunning visual appeal. Simply melt the remaining bittersweet chocolate chips with a bit more heavy cream. Heat the cream until it’s simmering, then pour it over your chocolate chips. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the chocolate to melt, then whisk until smooth and glossy. The result is a decadent, spreadable ganache that sets beautifully. Spoon this ganache over the mousse layer and gently spread it to the edges.

And now comes the hardest part: patience! Pop the entire pan into the refrigerator to chill thoroughly. This cooling period is crucial for the mousse and ganache to set properly, ensuring clean, elegant slices. Yes, waiting is agonizing when such a layered chocolate wonder is within reach, but the anticipation only makes the first bite even more rewarding!

Why These Dark Chocolate Mousse Bars Are a Crowd-Pleaser

The rave reviews these Dark Chocolate Mousse Bars receive speak for themselves. My husband, ever the discerning critic, gave this chocolate mousse recipe exuberant praise, and one of our recent dinner guests even declared them “better than Reese’s!” That’s high praise indeed, proving just how irresistible these chocolate desserts are.

I was particularly thrilled that these dark chocolate mousse bars can be made with ingredients I almost always have on hand in my kitchen. It’s truly a testament to a well-stocked pantry. And for those who appreciate the finer details, I highly recommend keeping a stash of high-quality 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips. These sinfully rich bars are perfect for any occasion, from a casual family gathering to a special holiday celebration like Valentine’s Day.

A stunning arrangement of Dark Chocolate Dessert Bars on a white tray, elegantly garnished with vibrant fresh raspberries and sprigs of mint, ready to be served.

Expert Tips for Mousse Bar Perfection

Achieving bakery-quality Dark Chocolate Mousse Bars is within your reach with a few expert tips. First, prioritize ingredient quality. Using good quality bittersweet chocolate and real vanilla extract makes a noticeable difference in flavor. Secondly, don’t rush the chilling process. A minimum of 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight, allows all layers to firm up perfectly, making for clean, precise cuts. For the neatest slices, use a sharp knife warmed under hot water and wiped clean between each cut. This prevents sticking and ensures every bar looks as good as it tastes. Finally, don’t underestimate the power of a beautiful garnish. Fresh raspberries or strawberries, a sprinkle of chocolate shavings, or a delicate sprig of mint can elevate the presentation from simple to stunning.

Beyond the Basics: Storage and Variations

Once you’ve mastered these classic Dark Chocolate Mousse Bars, you might want to experiment with storage and flavor variations. These bars store beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days, making them excellent for meal prepping desserts or enjoying throughout the week. For longer storage, you can freeze individual bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then placed in a freezer-safe container, for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.

Feeling adventurous? Try a mint chocolate mousse by adding a touch of peppermint extract to the mousse layer, or an orange-infused ganache with a hint of orange zest. You could also experiment with different crusts, such as an Oreo cookie crust for an extra chocolatey base, or a shortbread crust for a buttery foundation. The versatility of this recipe means endless possibilities for customization, allowing you to tailor these bars to your specific tastes or seasonal themes.

More Decadent Chocolate Mousse Recipes You’ll Love:

Chocolate Mousse Cake from Diethood
For a thicker, lighter chocolate layer, check out these Easy Chocolate Mousse Bars
Frozen Chocolate Mousse Cake
Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Cake
Irish Chocolate Mousse Cake
Chocolate Truffle Mousse
Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake
One Layer Fudge Cake
More Chocolate Dessert Recipes
More Bar Cookie Recipes

Your Shopping List for Indulgent Mousse Bars:

Graham Cracker Crumbs
Granulated (white) Sugar
Butter (salted recommended)
Bittersweet Chocolate Chips (60% Cacao), or Semisweet Chocolate Chips if preferred for a milder flavor
Cream Cheese (ensure it’s at room temperature!)
Powdered Sugar (also known as Confectioner’s Sugar)
Heavy Whipping Cream
Vanilla Extract (always opt for real, not imitation, vanilla)

The Recipe:

Dark Chocolate Mousse Bars

Prep Time
40 minutes

Cook Time
10 minutes

Total Time
50 minutes

Yield
24 bars

Three layers of deliciousness, including a creamy, egg-free dark chocolate mousse center.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
10 ounces Bittersweet Chocolate Chips (60% Cacao)
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with non-stick foil or regular foil sprayed lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Mix well until all crumbs are moistened. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before proceeding with the mousse.
Melt 1 cup of the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, whip the room-temperature cream cheese until it is light and fluffy. Add the melted chocolate to the cream cheese and mix until well combined and smooth.
In a separate, chilled bowl, beat 1 cup of the heavy whipping cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate-cream cheese mixture until just combined and lightened. Spread this mousse layer evenly over the cooled graham cracker crust. Refrigerate while you prepare the topping.
Melt the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips with the remaining 1/2 cup of heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is fully melted and the ganache is smooth and glossy.
Carefully spoon the warm ganache over the chilled mousse layer, spreading it gently with an offset spatula to create an even topping.
Return the pan to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours, or until completely firm. For best results and cleanest cuts, chill overnight. Once firm, cut into bars and serve.

Notes

Total time listed does not include the essential chilling and cooling times required for the bars to set properly.

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Decadent Dark Chocolate Mousse Bars