11/02/2026
This cake hides two irresistible mousse layers beneath a glossy chocolate top
The Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse Cake That Melts in Every Bite
One slice brings together a light chocolate sponge, silky chocolate mousse, creamy peanut butter mousse, and a rich chocolate ganache that melts on your tongue. 🍫🥜 The best part is the beautiful swirl of chocolate and peanut butter mousse in every slice, giving this homemade cake a decadent, creamy texture without feeling like an ordinary chocolate cake.
Servings: Not specified in the original recipe.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Sponge
- 56 g (2 oz) semisweet chocolate
- 50 g (¼ cup) neutral oil
- 132 g (⅔ cup) granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs, separated
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 40 g (⅓ cup) all-purpose flour
- 21 g (¼ cup) Dutch-process cocoa powder
For the Chocolate and Peanut Butter Mousses
- 170 g (1 cup) semisweet chocolate
- 260 g (1 cup) thick and creamy peanut butter, such as Jif
- 340 g (1½ cups) whole milk
- 84 g (¼ cup + 2 tablespoons) heavy cream, plus 540 g (2¼ cups + 2 tablespoons) heavy cream, divided
- 2 eggs
- 50 g (¼ cup) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Chocolate Ganache
- 170 g (¾ cup) heavy cream
- 170 g (6 oz) semisweet chocolate
- 21 g unsalted butter
How to Make It
Chocolate Sponge
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
- Combine the chocolate and oil in a heatproof bowl. Set it over a pot of gently simmering water and stir until the chocolate melts completely. Set aside to cool.
- Whisk the sugar, salt, egg yolks, and vanilla vigorously until the mixture becomes pale and falls from the whisk in a ribbon.
- Stir the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg yolk mixture until combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Fold one-third of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Gently fold in the remaining whites.
- Sift the flour and cocoa powder over the batter and fold gently until combined, taking care not to deflate the egg whites.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the sponge cool completely before adding the mousses. Refrigerate it to speed up cooling if desired.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Mousses
- Place the semisweet chocolate in one medium bowl and the peanut butter in another. Set both aside.
- In a small saucepan, heat the milk, 84 g of heavy cream, eggs, sugar, and salt, stirring until the mixture reaches 180°F, just below a simmer.
- Strain the anglaise base through a fine-mesh sieve over the chocolate, weighing out 180 g. Repeat with the peanut butter mixture. Stir each until smooth.
- In a large bowl, whip the remaining 540 g of heavy cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold half the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture in two additions. Fold the remaining half into the peanut butter mixture.
- Once the sponge has cooled, run a knife around the edge and release the springform pan. Fit a cake collar around the sponge and close the pan again.
- Alternate spoonfuls of the two mousses over the sponge. Gently swirl them together with a knife, then smooth the top with an offset spatula.
- Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight until set.
Chocolate Ganache
- Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over low-medium heat until it reaches a simmer, around 190°F.
- Add the chocolate and butter. Cover the pan for 1 minute, then remove the lid and stir until smooth.
- Pour the ganache over the chilled cake and spread it into an even layer.
- Refrigerate for about 30 minutes, until the ganache sets. Remove the springform pan and cake collar, then slice and serve.
Every slice of this chocolate peanut butter mousse cake is a little celebration of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter.