Easy Chocolate Mousse (Mock Mousse)
This easy chocolate mousse filling is light, fluffy, and can be whipped up in minutes.
We have used it in several of our cakes, including our Easy Chocolate Mousse Cake! If you are looking for a quick, easy, and delicious chocolate cream filling, this is the one.
Table of Contents
How to Make Easy Chocolate Mousse Filling with Pudding and Cream
We often refer to this delicious chocolate cream filling as a mock mousse because unlike a traditional mousse, this filling is made with just two ingredients: instant chocolate pudding & heavy cream.
Nobody would ever guess how quick and easy this recipe is. It comes together in minutes (but that will be our little secret!)
- To make this recipe, you simply need a box of Instant Chocolate Pudding and heavy cream. Rather than making instant pudding the usual way with milk, the heavy cream makes it much thicker, creamier, spreadable and even pipeable (you can see an example of this in our Butterscotch Cake).
- The resulting chocolate cream has the consistency of mousse rather than pudding, and the best part is that it all comes together in minutes.
We like to use a hand mixer to mix it up for convenience.
What if the Mousse Filling is too thick?
After mixing together the pudding and cream in your mock mousse filling, you may find that the consistency is slightly thicker than expected. If this happens, simply add a little more heavy cream and mix a little longer until you are happy with the consistency.
This luscious chocolate cream filling has wonderful chocolate flavor without being overly rich. (In other words, I could EASILY get carried away and eat the whole bowl myself!)
We love this as a light filling in our chocolate cakes or injected into chocolate cupcakes.
Do you need to Sift Instant Pudding Mix?
While you do not need to sift instant pudding mix before using, I find that it results in a smoother consistency. Have you ever had a bite of pudding and noticed a little hardened piece of sugar that didn't dissolve? Ugh!
The fix for this is sifting. You'll notice when you sift pudding mix that often several little hardened granules will remain in the sifter. Just toss them in the sink- we don't want them in our pudding ;0)
I sift my cake mixes as well!
Other Variations of this easy mousse filling
We have used this Mock Mousse technique in several of our FAVORITE cake recipes. For example, our Orange Dreamsicle Cake has a delicious Orange Cream Filling which is made from vanilla pudding, cream, and orange extract.
We have also used a variation of this filling to make our Pineapple Cake Recipe with an amazing Pineapple & Cream Filling, as well as our Peaches and Cream Cake recipes!! Both of these variations contained bits of fruit in the vanilla mousse filling! Yum!!
Our Scratch Butterscotch Cake Recipe is also filled and topped with a Butterscotch Cream filling and topping which is based on this recipe.
When it comes to mock mousse fillings, the options are endless. You can experiment with different flavors of pudding, add in extracts, stir in mini chocolate chips, fruit, or coconut. Have fun experimenting!
Looking for a Rich Chocolate Filling?
For a rich, decadent filling rather than a light, fluffy mousse filling?
Hop over to our Easy Ganache Drip Recipe. This ganache is not only great for drizzling, but it can be chilled and whipped into a thick and decadent filling for your cakes and cupcakes.
It's good to have options, especially when it comes to the serious business of finding your favorite chocolate filling recipes!
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Chocolate "Mock Mousse" Filling
This easy chocolate mousse filling can be whipped up in minutes! It is so light, creamy, and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 small box instant chocolate pudding (3.9 oz)- I like to sift the pudding mix
- 2 c. heavy cream or whipping cream
Instructions
Combine the sifted pudding mix and heavy cream in a mixing bowl. I prefer to mix with a hand held mixer, but a whisk is fine too. If using a mixer, start on low speed until well combined.
Then, switch to high speed and whip the pudding until thick and fluffy. If mousse is too thick, mix in a bit more heavy cream until you reach the desired consistency.
If mixing by hand, simply whisk rapidly for a couple of minutes or until mixture is nice and thick. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
*Sifting the pudding mix is an optional step but I do find that instant pudding mixes often have a few tiny hardened granules that either do not dissolve or take longer to soften. You will see what I mean when you sift ;0) . I do this for cake mixes also!
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I use pudding for mousse like this and if I am in a hurry or do not have time to go to different stores looking for cream because mine is out, I use Cool Whip. I mix in a box with a small tub or 2 boxes with a large tub. A favorite of friends is when I use Strawberries and Cream pudding mix. I put a thin layer of strawberry glaze on the cake, then the mousse, then cut up fresh strawberries. I use a white cake and it's like a strawberry shortcake. People go nuts over it and are surprised to find the filling in the middle. It's very refreshing.
Do you have a Bavarian cream recipe?
Quick question, can I make this a few days ahead and freeze it till Im ready to use it?
Ansa
Hi Ansa, I would not freeze, I think upon thawing it would deflate and become watery. I think it would be fine made 2 days ahead and kept in the refrigerator.
Thanks BeBe for the fast reply.
HI , would it be a good filling for a Yule Log?
Thanks
Hi Emmanuelle, We have not tried it in a Yule Log cake but I think it would work fine.
This sound really yummy recipe but in UK we don't have pudding whats the substitute of this?
Thanks
hi. what can be used instead of pudding mix
Niki - http://www.angeldelightdesserts.co.uk/ - This is pretty much the same as what they're talking about.
Could this be used as a dessert mousse on its own? How awesome and quick would that be?
Thanks for the link to a UK alternative, Jasmin! I do like this on it's own as well ;0) If the consistency is thicker than you like, you can always add small amounts of cream to get to the desired consistency.
@Appu- If there is no instant pudding mix available to you, I think that you would need to go with a different recipe entirely.
Whipped Ganache is a great chocolate filling also. You could make this recipe:
https://www.mycakeschool.com/ganache-drip-recipe/
Then, chill to thicken and whip it to a fluffier consistency with your mixer.
You can also find scratch mousse fillings online. Good luck!