Dairy-Free Frozen Mocha Mousse
An elegant two-part dessert featuring airy mocha mousse made with coffee and cocoa folded into meringue, served frozen alongside crispy coconut meringue kisses. The mousse combines the rich flavors of coffee and chocolate in a light, frozen texture, while the meringue kisses add a sweet coconut crunch. Perfect for dinner parties or special occasions when you want an impressive make-ahead dessert that can be prepared in advance and stored in the freezer until serving.
Ingredients
- 3 egg whites
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup confectioners' sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground coconutshredded coconut1:1
different texture
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee
- 1 tablespoon cocoadark chocolate powder1:1
richer chocolate flavor
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1 egg yolk
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit
- 2
Whip egg whites until doubled in volume
- 3
Gradually add granulated sugar and continue to beat until the edges become firm
- 4
Using a spatula, gently fold confectioners' sugar and coconut into the meringue
- 5
Transfer three heaping tablespoons into a piping bag with a smooth round tip and squeeze small kisses onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet
- 6
Reserve remaining meringue batter for mousse
- 7
Bake for an hour and a half
- 8
Carefully remove the kisses from the baking sheet and place in an airtight container
- 9
Dissolve coffee and cocoa in hot water
- 10
Mix coffee mixture with egg yolk in a double boiler until warm
- 11
Let cool and fold into remaining meringue batter
- 12
Spoon into individual serving dishes and freeze
- 13
Serve frozen
Tips
Make sure egg whites are at room temperature for better volume when whipping
Cool the coffee mixture completely before folding into meringue to prevent deflating
Store meringue kisses in airtight container to maintain crispness
Good to Know
Frozen mousse keeps for up to 2 weeks. Meringue kisses store in airtight container for 1 week.
Can be made completely ahead - mousse freezes well and kisses keep for days
Serve mousse directly from freezer. Let sit 2-3 minutes if too hard to scoop.
Common Mistakes
Don't overfold meringue to avoid deflating
Ensure coffee mixture is completely cool before folding in
Substitutions
richer chocolate flavor
FAQ
Can I make this without a double boiler?
Yes, use a heatproof bowl over simmering water, ensuring the bottom doesn't touch the water. Stir constantly until warm.
How long do the meringue kisses need to bake?
Bake for 90 minutes at 225°F until they lift easily from parchment and feel crisp to touch.
Can I serve the mousse unfrozen?
The recipe is designed to be served frozen for proper texture. Unfrozen, it will be very soft and runny.