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The dessert, Chic bistro

Café gourmand, chocolate mousse, financier and panna cotta

A café gourmand brings together three little treats, chocolate mousse, vanilla panna cotta and a financier, served alongside an espresso, for 6 people. It takes 45 minutes of active work, everything is made the day before, leaving only plating and coffee on the day. Difficulty is medium, around €2.80 per person, and success comes down to nailing each texture, airy mousse, barely set panna cotta, moist financier.

To end on a high note, a café gourmand, an espresso with three little treats, mousse, financier and panna cotta.

Café gourmand, chocolate mousse, financier and panna cotta
For
6 people
Work
45 min
Total time
3 h 20
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€2.80
Calories per person
420 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

A café gourmand is the answer when you can't pick just one dessert. Three textures play off each other on the plate, melting chocolate mousse, a panna cotta that barely holds its shape, and a moist almond financier. Served with a hot espresso, the contrast between the scalding coffee and the cool desserts is what makes the moment.

This dessert fits any kind of gathering, a dinner with friends, a Sunday family meal or even the holidays. Since everything is made the day before, it slots easily into a bigger menu when the starter and main already take up your day-of time. Kids especially love the financier and the chocolate mousse.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 5 steps, 50 min
  2. The same day Nothing to do
  3. Before the guests arrive Nothing to do
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

The day before, make the three desserts in order, mousse first, then panna cotta, then financiers, and let everything set in the fridge. On the day, there's nothing to do before your guests arrive, it's all ready. When it's time to serve, brew the espressos at the last minute and plate the three treats on each plate while the coffee is still hot.

The ingredients

6 people

Pantry

  • Dark chocolate 150 g
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 150 g
  • Almond flour 80 g
  • Flouroften in the pantry 40 g
  • Gelatin sheets 3
  • Vanilla bean 1
  • Espresso 6

Dairy

  • Heavy cream 75 cl
  • Eggs 6
  • Butter 100 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs, Tree nuts

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Melt the chocolate over a bain-marie, stir in three egg yolks, then fold in whipped egg whites for a chocolate mousse. 20 min

    Fold in the egg whites in three additions to keep all the air.

  2. Divide the mousse among six small glasses and chill.

    Pack it down gently so there are no air bubbles.

  3. Heat the cream with the vanilla, add 60 g of sugar and the softened gelatin, then pour into six small glasses for the panna cotta. 15 min

    Squeeze the gelatin in your hands before adding it, it melts more evenly.

  4. Mix the brown butter, almond flour, flour, 90 g of sugar and three egg whites for the financiers.

    Make the brown butter over low heat, it should smell toasty without burning.

  5. Pour the batter into financier molds and bake at 180°C. 15 min

    Fill the molds only three quarters full.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Brew the espressos at the last minute and plate three treats on each dish.

    Serve the coffee very hot, the contrast with the chilled desserts is ideal.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use chocolate with at least 60 percent cocoa so the mousse holds its own against the sweetness of the other desserts.
  • Unmold the financiers when warm, not hot, they break easily straight out of the oven.
  • Take the panna cotta and mousse out of the fridge ten minutes before plating, they'll be easier to spoon and nicer to eat.

The variations

  • Swap the vanilla in the panna cotta for lemon zest for a brighter, more summery touch.
  • For a gluten-free version, replace the flour in the financiers with cornstarch, the texture stays just as moist.
  • For kids, make small cups of chocolate mousse on its own, skip the coffee, and serve the financiers on the side.

What to serve it with

  • A strong, hot espresso
  • A few fresh berries on the side
  • Mint tea for the kids

Storage

The desserts keep for 2 days in the fridge in sealed containers, the mousse and panna cotta stay perfect, and the financiers are best eaten within 2 days too. This dessert doesn't freeze well, the textures would suffer too much.

Questions about this recipe

Can sheet gelatin be swapped for powdered gelatin?

Yes, use 6 grams of powdered gelatin instead of the 3 sheets, blooming it first in a little cold water. The panna cotta texture stays the same.

What's the best way to plate the three desserts together?

Serve the mousse and panna cotta in small clear glasses so the layers show, and set the financier beside them, slightly tilted. A light dusting of cocoa powder adds a nice touch with no extra effort.

Can this dessert be made for more than 6 people?

Yes, just multiply all the quantities while keeping the same proportions. You'll just need more small glasses and financier molds depending on your guest count.

Are whipped egg whites really necessary for the chocolate mousse?

Yes, they're what give the mousse its airy texture, without them it would be as dense as a ganache. Whip them until stiff but not dry so they fold in more easily.

Can a café gourmand be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 45 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 5 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make a café gourmand?

Allow 3 h 20 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 45 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "medium".

How many calories are in a café gourmand?

About 420 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a café gourmand cost?

About €2.80 per person, that's €16.80 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs, tree nuts. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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