Chocolate Mousse Cake Recipe A Decadent Slice of Heaven

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven and grease/flour the springform pan.
2. Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, mix sugar, oil, vanilla, and eggs.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk.
5. Stir in the hot coffee until just combined (the batter will be thin).
6. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (approx. 30-35 minutes).
7. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Melt chocolate and 1/2 cup cream using a double boiler or microwave.
9. In a separate bowl, whip egg yolks and sugar until pale and thick.
10. Gradually whisk the melted chocolate mixture into the egg yolk mixture.
11. In a clean bowl, whisk egg whites with salt until stiff peaks form.
12. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture in two additions.
13. Whip the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
14. Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mousse.
15. Level the cake if necessary. Place the cake layer into the springform pan. Pour the mousse over the cake and spread evenly.
16. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
17. Heat cream until simmering, pour over chopped chocolate, let stand for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth (Optional).
18. Remove cake from springform pan. Spread ganache over the top of the cake (if using). Serve chilled.