Monday, November 03, 2008

Chocolate Mousse Cake for a special man

oct birthday cake 08

OCT's birthday falls on October. Every year, as his special day approaches, I'd pile a few cookbooks on his lap and ask him to pick one as his birthday cake. Ever since I started baking, his request has always been mango cake. Yes, we both love mango, a lot. So I granted his wishes the past two years. We love mango so much that I even make a mango cheesecake for my birthday last year too.

oct birthday 08

This year however, I think it's time for a change.
"How about having something different for your birthday this year?"
"hmm...but I like mango cake."
"you know, mangoes are not in season now...I will need to use the frozen stuff and you know they are not as flavorful as the fresh ones."
"really? *sigh*....then I will have a chocolate cake"
"great choice, my Lord !"

Then it was up to me on which chocolate cake to make. In the end, I chose a chocolate mousse cake. The cake base was a coffee genoise I adapted from Roland Mesnier's book, and the chocolate mousse was the same one I used for my birthday cake. While the cake turned out disappointedly dry and flavorless, the low fat chocolate mousse was as delightful as I remembered.

oct birthday cake 08


I love how the low fat chocolate mousse tastes deceptively rich and sinful. Instead of using heavy whipping cream, eggwhites was used to make the safe meringue. It was then folded into the chocolate mixture to provide the cloud-like texture to the mousse.

I am not inclined to share the genoise recipe, based on the result I got. Instead, I would recommend anyone interested in making this cake to use this recipe. Of course making the lady fingers from this recipe would make the delicious chocolate mousse cake extra special too.

Not wanting to add unnecessary calories with buttercream decoration, I simply adore the cake with hazelnut brittle I have left from another cake.

oct birthday 08

Before OCT reached home from work, I took out some of his favorite toys to take a picture with the birthday cake. After that,I prepared a seafood noodle, along with 2 eggs for his dinner. The dinner he has requested, along with the chocolate cake. Noodle signifies longevity in Chinese. My mother in law used to cook noodle on OCT birthday every year before he came to the States, and that responsibility has passed down to me now. :)


27 comments:

  1. That's a wonderful mousse cake! I was thinking what to bake in this November for my special man too.

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  2. It looks like the perfect birthday cake :) I can't believe chocolate wasn't his first choice! .. hehe

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  3. Happy birthday to yo man! I adore mangoes and the ground they grown on (heh :) but I would very gladly eat this cake! Beautiful!

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  4. Anonymous11:12 PM

    what a wonderful cake + birthday present-i'm sure it was enjoyed! your photos are lovely!

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  5. wow this looks so so yummy and the mousse is to die for :)

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  6. Hi Mandy,
    Chocolate Mousse cake is quite common among bakeries. However, if it's made by a loved one, it'll still taste the best among the rest! Good work, and thanks for sharing. The mousse looks really rich and yummy! Btw, did you use a cake ring for this? Thanks.

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  7. So sweet of you...far away from home, yet still continues the birthday noodles tradition. Salute to you!!

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  8. What a lucky guy he is tohave you to make him such wonderful cakes! I bet the mousse compensated for the dry genoise. I like the pictures with the playmobiles, so cute! And well done on the decorating!

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  9. No wonder those little men are surrounding that cake. It's outrageously tempting!

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  10. What a wonderful cake for a special birthday!

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  11. I can't believe it's a low fat cake. Looks so rich and sinful..looks too good! :)

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  12. The cake looks divine. You can't go wrong with chocolate...perfect for birthdays too!

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  13. Mmmm. What a shame my husband doesnt like cake, otherwise he'd be getting this on sunday too. Instead he'll be getting some smoked porter and a bottle of the most godawful liquer fernet branca, if I find it in time.

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  14. That is a gorgeous looking cake! Perfectl frosted!

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  15. as if the cake enough was not tempting enough! on top of that, you throw in "low-fat"!!:) I've gotta make this!!:)

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  16. Anonymous2:23 PM

    Belated happy birthday to OCT! I think Mango is in season all year round, isnt it? :P
    The cake looked really delicious.

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  17. Your cake looks delicious! Love the hazelnut brittle garnish too!

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  18. Great looking cake.

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  19. That's my kind of cake! I love how you pulled out those toys for the picture! Too cute!

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  20. Great cake! I have a friend who loves chocolate cake. Anytime my family goes to their house, that's what we bring for dessert. We'll have to give this one a try!

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  21. aww that's so sweet of you! i esp loved how you thought abt using his toys as decor. u've got a lucky hubby ;)

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  22. That cake looks to die for! How did you get the mousse part to look so professional?

    I love those little playmobil guys. My son just inherited a few from my MIL. They belonged to my husband and are like over 20 years old or something!

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  23. goodness, I am craving for a choc-cake like that!

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  24. passionate about baking, dp:
    yes, I used a cake ring! That explains the neat side. :)

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  25. Hey Mandy,
    Even with a cake ring, I cannot achieve such smooth sides. What a pro you are! ;)

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  26. What a wonderful mousse cake, I would love this"

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