A Word About Mousses

A mousse is a creamy, light, velvety dessert or cake filling made from a base of meringue, whipped cream, and flavorings, often with gelatin added for stability. In French, the term mousse means “froth” or “foam,” which focuses on the airiness of this classic confection. The creaminess comes from the whipped cream, the lightness from the ethereal meringue, and the flavor from the chocolate or fruit that is combined with the basic ingredients. (Fruit mousses must almost always have gelatin added to help them set evenly and properly.)