On Valentine’s Day, I am often torn when it comes to dessert. Should it be chocolate or cherry? I favor both flavors and find it hard to choose between them. With this sweet ending, I don’t have to pick one over the other, I can enjoy both together.

This chocolatey mousse comes together fairly quickly. Then fresh, pitted cherries are added to the mix. After the mousse has completely set, I like to serve these treats with additional whipped cream, a cherry, and a chunk of chocolate. This smooth and creamy ending is the perfect finishing touch for Valentine’s Day!

Cherry Chocolate Mousse

Cherry Chocolate Mousse (adapted from betterrecipes.com) Total Time Required: 40 minutes + chilling time, Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1/4 ounce envelope unflavored gelatin
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 1/4 cup boiling water
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted & halved
• additional whipped cream, cherries, and chocolate pieces for serving

Directions:

In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let it stand for 1 minute to soften, then whisk in the boiling water. Set the gelatin aside to cool.

Start by softening the gelatin.

In the large bowl of a stand mixer, stir together the sugar and cocoa and mix well.

Combine the sugar and cocoa powder.

Add the whipping cream and vanilla and beat at high speed until the mixture is stiff.

Add the cream and vanilla and beat until stiff.

Pour the cooled gelatin mixture into the cream mixture and continue beating.

Add in the gelatin.

Place the bowl of mousse in the fridge for about 10 minutes to partially set. Remove the mousse from the fridge and fold in the cherries.

Add in the cherries.

Spoon the mousse into 4 individual glass servings bowls or cups and return to the fridge to fully set, at least 1 hour.

Spoon into individual glass serving dishes.

Serve garnished with whipped cream and a cherry.

Serve with whipped cream, cherries, and chocolate pieces.

This is a delicious ending!~Linda

Cherry Chocolate Mousse (adapted from betterrecipes.com) Total Time Required: 40 minutes + chilling time, Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1/4 ounce envelope unflavored gelatin
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 1/4 cup boiling water
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved
• additional whipped cream, cherries, and chocolate pieces for serving

Directions:

In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let it stand for 1 minute to soften, then whisk in the boiling water. Set the gelatin aside to cool.

In the large bowl of a stand mixer, stir together the sugar and cocoa and mix well. Add the whipping cream and vanilla and beat at high speed until the mixture is stiff. Pour the cooled gelatin mixture into the cream mixture and continue beating. Place the bowl of mousse in the fridge for about 10 minutes to partially set. Remove the mousse from the fridge and fold in the cherries. Spoon the mousse into 4 individual glass servings bowls or cups and return to the fridge to fully set, at least one hour.

Serve garnished with whipped cream and a cherry.