Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake Recipe
If you’re searching for a showstopper that delivers sophistication and crowd-pleasing taste in every bite, look no further than Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake. This decadent dessert features tender layers of chocolate cake, airy dark and white chocolate mousses, and a glossy ganache—all coming together in an eye-catching, irresistible masterpiece. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply indulging your chocolate cravings, this cake stands out as a true labor of love (and chocolate!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t let the luxurious finish fool you—each ingredient in Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake is straightforward yet absolutely essential for building flavor, texture, and that iconic “tuxedo” contrast. These components work in harmony to give you deep chocolate, fluffy mousse, and a touch of creamy sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the sturdy, yet tender, base for the chocolate cake layers—don’t skip sifting for the lightest crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens every layer and helps keep your cake moist and fluffy.
- Cocoa powder: High-quality, unsweetened cocoa provides the deep chocolate foundation that’s oh-so-rich.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Ensure that your cake layers rise sky high and stay soft.
- Salt: Don’t underestimate this pinch—it enhances every chocolate note.
- Whole milk: Adds extra moisture for a supremely tender crumb.
- Large eggs: Room temperature eggs bind the batter and create a lush texture.
- Sour cream: The secret to ultra-moist, velvety cake layers.
- Vegetable oil: Locks in moisture and gives that classic, soft cake bite.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out both the cake and mousse with comforting warmth.
- Espresso powder: Tiny touch, powerhouse effect—deepens and intensifies the chocolate flavor.
- Hot water: Ensures your cocoa “blooms,” unlocking its deepest flavor.
- Egg yolks: Build the luscious custard base for each mousse layer.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the custard without heaviness, resulting in a feather-light mousse.
- Heavy cream: Whips up fluffy and cloud-like, essential for both mousse and ganache.
- Dark chocolate: Packs a bold, bittersweet punch in the first mousse layer.
- White chocolate: Lends creamy sweetness that contrasts beautifully with dark chocolate.
- Milk chocolate: Melts into a silky, luxurious ganache topping.
How to Make Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Cake Layers
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C) and preparing two 8-inch round cake pans. Grease and line them with parchment paper to ensure those layers release smoothly. Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt—this aerates the dry mix for a delicate crumb. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sour cream, vegetable oil, and vanilla until creamy and unified. Gently combine your wet and dry ingredients; once just incorporated, stir in hot water with espresso powder dissolved in it. The batter will be liquidy—that’s what gives your finished layers the moistness and fudge-like depth you crave! Divide between pans and bake until a tester comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
Step 2: Cool and Level the Cakes
Once baked, let the cakes cool fully in their pans—patience pays off here! Warm cakes are crumbly and can be tricky to handle. Once cool, gently run a knife around each layer, turn them out, and level them with a serrated knife if the tops are domed. For a more impressive visual effect, carefully slice each round horizontally for thinner, alternating cake layers—a pro touch, but totally optional.
Step 3: Make the Dark and White Chocolate Mousses
Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake is defined by these dual mousse layers—one dark, one white—that lend it that tuxedo-style contrast. Place your chopped chocolates in separate bowls. In another bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until pale and creamy. Heat half the cream with vanilla until steaming, then slowly whisk it into the yolks before returning to the pot. Cook, whisking, until thickened, then divide the custard between the dark and white chocolates. Stir each until glossy and smooth. Whip the remaining cream to stiff peaks, folding half into each chocolate mixture for two dreamy mouses—one rich and bittersweet, the other creamy-sweet.
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
Assembly is where the magic happens. Place a chocolate cake layer in a cake ring on your serving plate (or use an adjustable cake collar for clean edges). Spread the dark chocolate mousse evenly over, then pile on the white chocolate mousse—smooth each layer with an offset spatula for that dramatic tuxedo look. Chill for at least 30 minutes so the layers set, then finish with your second cake round. Refrigerate the nearly finished Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake for at least four hours, or ideally overnight, so everything melds together and slices cleanly.
Step 5: Make the Chocolate Ganache
Finish with a classic milk chocolate ganache. Gently heat cream until just before boiling, pour it over the chopped milk chocolate, and let it melt for a minute. Stir slowly for maximum gloss. Once the ganache cools to a spreadable thickness, pour over the chilled cake, easing it over the edges for those swoon-worthy drips.
Step 6: Decorate and Chill
Decorating is your chance to make Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake uniquely yours. Think sophisticated chocolate curls, elegant sprinkles, or even chocolate-dipped strawberries. Place the garnished cake back in the fridge until you’re ready to serve—this keeps the mousse layers and ganache perfectly set.
How to Serve Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake
Garnishes
A cake this elegant deserves the perfect finishing touches! Try crowning it with homemade chocolate shavings, a flurry of white and dark chocolate curls, or a scattering of gold leaf for that “tuxedo at a gala” vibe. Fresh berries add color and brightness, or sprinkle with festive chocolate pearls for an upscale bakery finish.
Side Dishes
Pair each slice of Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake with strong coffee or espresso to cut through the richness, or offer a scoop of vanilla bean gelato for contrast. A crisp, tart fruit salad makes a lovely counterpoint, while a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream adds a creamy, cloud-like finish.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, try cutting the cake into rectangles for elegant plated desserts. Miniature versions made in individual rings look stunning at dinner parties. You can even serve each wedge on a swirl of raspberry coulis with edible flowers—your guests will feel extra fancy, and the tuxedo effect will sparkle even brighter!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake should be covered and refrigerated, where it keeps beautifully for up to five days. The flavors actually deepen and meld together as it chills, making every sneaky midnight forkful taste just as dreamy as day one!
Freezing
This cake also freezes surprisingly well: slice and wrap individual servings tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw slices overnight in the fridge for best results—this helps the mousse maintain its silky, cloud-like texture.
Reheating
Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake is best served chilled or at cool room temperature. If you prefer the ganache slightly softened, let the slice sit out for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. No need for microwaving—just patience and anticipation!
FAQs
Can I make Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake in advance?
Absolutely! In fact, this cake is a baker’s dream for planning ahead. You can bake the cake layers up to two days before, and the entire assembled cake tastes even better after a night in the fridge, which makes slicing clean and easy.
What’s the best way to achieve perfect, even mousse layers?
Using a springform pan or cake ring works wonders for clean, tidy mousse layers. For extra precision, chill each layer thoroughly before adding the next, and use an offset spatula to spread each layer edge-to-edge.
Can I substitute the dark or white chocolate with other types?
Yes! If you prefer all dark or all milk chocolate, swap them based on your preferences. Just remember, different chocolates melt and set slightly differently, so keep a close eye while stirring them into the custard base.
Is there a non-dairy version of this cake?
You can substitute non-dairy milk, vegan sour cream, and coconut cream for the dairy Gfree varieties in the chocolate cake and mousse. Use high-quality dairy-free chocolate to ensure the best texture and flavor in each creamy layer!
How do I transport the finished cake?
Keep Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake well-chilled until you’re ready to travel. Pop it in a snug cake carrier or wrap the cake ring with plastic wrap, and transport in a cooler if it’s a warm day. Assemble any fresh garnishes or whirls of whipped cream once you arrive at your destination.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about making a cake that brings people together—and Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake is just that kind of dessert. It’s stunning to look at and even more rewarding to share. Don’t be intimidated by the layers; once you dig into that first slice, you’ll see why this is a favorite for life’s grandest celebrations and everyday moments alike!
Print
Tuxedo Cake – Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours
- Yield: 1 Tuxedo Cake 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate dessert with this decadent Tuxedo Cake, a Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake that features layers of rich chocolate cake, dark and white chocolate mousses, and a luscious chocolate ganache topping. Perfect for any special occasion or when you want to impress your guests with a show-stopping treat!
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (50g) cocoa powder
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (120ml) whole milk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup (128g) sour cream, room temperature
- ½ cup (110g) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp espresso powder
- 1 cup (240ml) hot water
For the Chocolate Mousses
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream, divided
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3.5 oz (100g) dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 4.5 oz (130g) white chocolate, finely chopped
For the Chocolate Ganache
- 5 oz (140g) milk chocolate, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup (80ml) heavy cream
Instructions
- Make the Chocolate Cake – Preheat oven, prepare pans, mix dry ingredients, combine wet ingredients, add espresso mixture, bake, cool, and level cakes.
- Make the Chocolate Mousses – Prepare egg yolk mixture, heat cream, mix with chocolates, whip cream, fold into chocolates.
- Assemble the Cake – Layer cake, spread mousses, chill layers.
- Make the Chocolate Ganache – Heat cream, pour over chocolate, stir until smooth.
- Decorate – Garnish with toppings, refrigerate until serving.
Notes
- For best results, use high-quality chocolate for a rich flavor.
- Ensure all dairy ingredients are at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Allow enough time for chilling between assembling the layers for a perfect set.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking, Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Tuxedo Cake, Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake, Chocolate Dessert, Special Occasion Dessert
