Triple Chocolate S'mores Mousse Pie

If sharing a room with Elizabeth doesn't prepare me for college/dorm life, I don't know what will. Elizabeth, despite being eight and the fifth child, is, um, very confident and loud, borderline sassy. I have no idea where she gets it. Not my parents, not me, and not TV (we watch college football and recorded shows of WordWorld. Not a lot of sass there;)

Like, her version of organizing is arranging all her stuff on the floor where she can see. The OCD in me has a heart attack when I walk into an "organized" room like that.  I've been branded a neat freak by my friends. It's true. So sharing a room with her is definitely different. 

She also has a sassy side. Sometimes I think she's a valley girl (scary thought)  When she talks, she'll smack her lips, you know, the, "Sis (smack) could you pulease (smack) stop that right now? (Smack)"

Speaking of smacking, she got a set of body splashes and Chapstick by Smackers. Granted, most body splashes for little girls tend to be overly sweet, but these - oh my goodness. Like, seriously, Smackers, are you trying to kill me?  These are SO sickly sweet, it's frankly, amazing. Of course, Elizabeth and Abigail love them and that's what matters, but they got a little squirt happy in my room (with the door closed) and when I finally went in, the scent could've knocked me down. Wow, I thought the Bath n' Body works had exploded in there. While I'm gasping for fresh air, they come prancing out, giggling and admiring each others chapstick, etc, nonchalant to their overstimulated sister. 

Couldn't we have a mild body splash?  I really like my cucumber melon and citrus from bath n body works, but wouldn't it be nice to have a mildly scented pumpkin spice candle?  I'm still searching for one that isn't overload on spices, but isn't fake pumpkin scent either. If there was a body splash that made you smell like fall baking (I'd probably be majorly obnoxious:) but I would be like my little sisters - squirt happy! 

But right now, it's hot. And I've had quite a few pumpkin recipes. It's about time I made something cool, creamy, and purely chocolate.  Maybe I should think about something s'mores scented?

I don't think I've made something this incredibly rich in a while. So smooth, so light, and yet so decadent. I surprised myself. It's plain incredible.

The filling has marshmallows and whipped cream so it's lighter and when thawed, reminded me if a very rich pudding. The crust is way better than I expected and is the crunchy compliment to the filling. Some crust crumbs are sprinkled on top of the ganache for ascetics and the whole dessert is quite lovely. Tarts are one if my favorite desserts and I love the crimped edges our tart pan has.  This is a little more involved, but it's worth the little extras. If you want to save time, you can use a store bought crust and skip the ganache.

Triple Chocolate Smores Mousse Pie
Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Yield: 8-12 servings

Crust:

1-3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup cocoa powder

6 tablespoons butter, melted 

Mousse:

3-1/2 cups marshmallows (this is approximate. It's okay if there is space in your measuring cup)

1 cup milk

3 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate squares 

2 oz. semi sweet baking chocolate squares 

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Ganache:

3 oz. semi sweet chocolate 

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream 

For the crust:  

Preheat oven to 350.  Lightly grease tart pan. 

Option 1) place graham cracker crumbs and cocoa powder in food processor (or ninja) and process for a couple seconds. Add melted better and pulse until crumbly. Press into prepared pan 

Option 2) whisk crumbs and cocoa in a bowl. Add melted butter and whisk until crumbly. Press into prepared pan. 

Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool completely. 

For filling:
In a medium sized saucepan, melt marshmallows, milk, unsweetened and sweetened chocolate squares.  Stir constantly until smooth, a couple minutes.  Once melted and smooth, take off heat and let cool.

While marshmallow mixture is cooling, whip heaving whipping cream until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes.  Fold into marshmallow mixture.  Pour into cooled crust and set aside.

For ganache:
Heat whipping cream in microwave for 30-45 seconds, or until heated through.  Pour over chocolate chips and whisk until smooth.  Spread over marshmallow filling. 

Store in refrigerator or freezer.  When stored in the refrigerator, the filling is more like a pudding/mousse and is difficult to cut.  When stored in the freezer, it freezes through (see pictures above.)  If freezing, let sit for 15 minutes before serving and it will have the ideal texture; not too soft and not too hard.

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Peanut Butter Snickers Smores Cheesecake Bars {Gluten Free}



Marshmallow Cheesecake Swirled Smores Brownies

Peanut Butter Oreo Mousse Torte