Silken Tofu Chocolate Mousse

What is Mousse?

A classic mousse usually starts with a smooth puree. Then it’s mixed with whipped egg whites or cream to make it light and fluffy. This vegan version uses silken tofu instead of eggs or cream. It still gives you that soft, airy texture—just without any animal ingredients.

Silken Tofu vs. Regular Tofu

What is the difference between silken and regular tofu? Silken tofu is a type of tofu with the softest consistency. The texture is silky and smooth, so it’s perfect for making creams, puddings, dessert fillings, smoothies, or (in this case) vegan chocolate mousses! If you have a nut allergy, you can use it as a versatile substitute for cashew cream.

You can always check out our silken tofu guide for more information!

What Type of Silken Tofu Should I Use?

Make sure to use shelf-stable silken tofu stored in aseptic containers. You can easily find these in the Asian food aisle in the grocery store. Beware—if you use silken tofu stored in water from the refrigerated section, your melted chocolate chips will immediately harden once blended in. You won’t get that silky smooth consistency of mousse and it will end up a chocolate-y, chunky mess (though a very tasty one)!

The most popular brand of shelf-stable tofu is Mori-Nu. Don’t worry too much about which type of silken tofu you purchase. As long as it’s room temperature and is “silken,” you should be all set.

How To Melt Chocolate Chips

Melting vegan chocolate chips can seem daunting, but it’s actually pretty easy. There are two simple methods you can choose. We’ve used both with great results. If you have more time and aren’t in a rush, we recommend the double boiler method. On the other hand, if you’re dying to taste this sweet and creamy dessert, use the microwave!

Microwave

Place your chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe container (a glass measuring cup works well!) and heat in 20-30 second intervals (depending on the power of your microwave). After each heating, stir well before continuing the process. Sometimes, a good stir can make the softened chips melt into the rest. A small rubber or silicone spatula can be really helpful with this step.

Double Boiler

Even though this sounds a bit old-fashioned, it’s actually a more foolproof method. If you don’t have a double boiler (two saucepans that stack on top of each other), a regular saucepan and a heat-proof bowl (glass or ceramic) can also work.

Pour a couple of cups of water into the bottom saucepan and add the bowl on top. Make sure the bowl is larger than the opening of the saucepan. You want the bowl to sit above the water in the saucepan beneath. Add the chocolate chips to the bowl and turn the burner to medium high. As the water simmers, frequently stir the chocolate chips in the bowl until they are completely melted. This might take a little longer than the microwave method, but there is much less chance of the chocolate chips burning or hardening.

Turn off the burner, take the pan off the heat, and use your melted chocolate right away.

Silken Tofu Chocolate Mousse Add-ons and Mix-ins

Ooh, the fun part!! The list of ingredients you can add in (or on!) is endless. It’s all up to you and your taste buds. Here is a list of our all-time favorites:

• Coconut Flakes
• Granola
• Fresh Fruit (banana slices, berries, etc.)
• Crushed Cookies or Pretzels
• White Chocolate Chips or Chunks
• Mini Vegan Marshmallows and Graham Crackers (S’mores Mousse!)
• Vegan Sprinkles (rainbow, chocolate, or an assortment of colors!)
• Vegan Caramel
• Dairy-Free Whipped Cream (coconut, aquafaba, oat milk)
• Shaved Chocolate (use a cheese grater or vegetable peeler on cold chocolate for best results)
• Pretty Edible Flowers (nasturtiums, marigolds, violets, pansies, honeysuckle, chamomile, lavender, etc.)
• Chopped Nuts and Seeds (chia, hemp, walnuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, peanuts, cashews, almonds, etc.)
• Spring of Fresh Mint (peppermint is particularly pleasant)

Vegan Mousse FAQs