The Ultimate Coffee Mousse Cake

Ingredients

For the Mousse Base:

• 4 tablespoons (24g) instant coffee powder
• 20ml (4 teaspoons) whole milk
• 3 tablespoons (45ml) sweetened condensed milk
• 400ml (1⅔ cups) heavy whipping cream
• 10g (2 teaspoons) vanilla sugar

For the Coffee Glaze:

• 2 tablespoons (12g) instant coffee powder
• 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) hot water

Equipment Needed

• 7-inch (18cm) springform pan
• Aluminum foil
• Electric hand mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Spatula
• Measuring spoons and cups

Instructions

Preparing the Mousse Base

1. In a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons instant coffee with 20ml milk. Stir until completely dissolved.
2. Add the sweetened condensed milk to the coffee mixture and stir until well incorporated.
3. In a separate large bowl, pour in the heavy whipping cream and vanilla sugar.
4. Using an electric hand mixer, beat the cream mixture until stiff peaks form (approximately 3-4 minutes).
5. Gently fold the coffee mixture into the whipped cream until fully combined, maintaining the airy texture.

Assembling the Cake

1. Line a 7-inch springform pan with aluminum foil, ensuring smooth sides.
2. Pour the mousse mixture into the prepared pan.
3. Gently tap the pan against the counter several times to release any trapped air bubbles.
4. Smooth the top with a spatula.

Creating the Coffee Glaze

1. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons instant coffee, sugar, and hot water.
2. Stir until completely dissolved and slightly cooled.
3. Beat with a hand mixer until the mixture becomes slightly frothy.

Finishing Touches

1. Place the cake in the freezer for exactly 3 hours.
2. Remove from freezer and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
3. Carefully pour the coffee glaze over the top, ensuring even coverage.
4. Return to the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (1/8 of cake):

• Calories: 285
• Protein: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fat: 21g
• Sugar: 18g
• Caffeine: 65mg

Pro Tips and Tricks

• Use high-quality instant coffee for the best flavor profile
• Ensure all ingredients are properly chilled before starting
• When whipping cream, stop as soon as stiff peaks form to avoid over-beating
• Use a warm knife dipped in hot water for clean slices
• Allow the cake to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving

Variations and Substitutions

• Replace vanilla sugar with regular sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Create a mocha version by adding 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream
• Add 1 tablespoon of your favorite liqueur for an adult version
• Create a marble effect by reserving some plain whipped cream