Description
An elegant dessert featuring layers of rich chocolate mousse, juicy poached pears, and a moist cocoa sponge base. It’s indulgent yet light, perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
-
- For the sponge:
- 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (25g) cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (100g) sugar
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
- 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
-
- For the mousse:
- 1 1/2 cups (350ml) chilled heavy cream
- 200g dark chocolate (60–70%), chopped
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk or cream
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar (optional)
- For the pears:
- 3 firm ripe pears, peeled and halved
- 2 tbsp sugar
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Poach pears: Simmer pears with lemon juice, sugar, and water for 10–12 mins. Cool and slice thinly.
- Make sponge: Mix dry ingredients. In another bowl, whisk eggs and sugar, then add milk, oil, vanilla. Combine. Bake in lined pan at 350°F (175°C) for 20–22 mins. Cool.
- Make mousse: Melt chocolate with milk. Cool. Whip cream to soft peaks, fold into chocolate gently.
- Assemble: Layer cooled sponge in springform pan. Add pear slices. Spread mousse evenly on top. Chill 4 hours or overnight.
- Unmold and garnish with more pears or chocolate shavings. Slice with a warm knife.
Notes
- Use quality dark chocolate for best mousse flavor.
- Chill cake thoroughly before slicing for clean layers.
- For a dairy-free option, use coconut cream and plant-based chocolate.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking + No-Bake
- Cuisine: European-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 65 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: chocolate pear cake, mousse cake, layered dessert, pear dessert, holiday cake