Nutella (Chocolate Hazelnut) Mousse

Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m sure most of you have figured out your Valentine’s dessert plans, but I wanted to share this last-minute idea for those that haven’t. Dessert on Valentine’s doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. This dessert, which I purposefully saved for today, has only four ingredients and can be made in just a few minutes. This recipe is so simple that anyone (seriously, anyone) can throw it together. If it’s so easy and has so few ingredients, you must be questioning how it tastes. The answer? It’s awesome! You don’t need many ingredients when the ingredients are cream, Nutella, espresso and hazelnuts.

This recipe is what I like to refer to as cheater’s mousse. I’ve made cooked chocolate mousse before. In fact, it was my very first post way back in August 2008. At the time, this cheater’s mousse would’ve been a more appropriate dessert, skill-wise, for me to tackle. There’s obviously some irony that I’m posting this easy version now, when my skill level is so much higher. The reason I wanted to share it is because it tastes so darn good. It’s light and airy just like its more involved counterpart. The flavor is rich and chocolaty without being heavy, and the espresso adds just the right amount of coffee flavor. This is a dessert that won’t leave you feeling like you had too much to eat, which makes it perfect for ending a heavier dinner. Even if you don’t make this tonight, it’s a great recipe to have on hand when a chocolate craving strikes.