Performing Chocolate Brain Surgery: Chocolate Mousse Napoleon

Chocolate Mousse Napoleon, originally uploaded by Fenchurch!

Alright, people. We have our work cut out for us today.

This photo is actually of a dessert offered at a restaurant, and what do you know--there is not an official recipe available for this particular masterpiece of an ice cream / mousse / chocolate sauce tower.

But look at it--it seems pretty easy to break apart. This is how I see it:

Layer #1 (starting at plate level): Chocolate Sauce
Layer #2: Is that baked Phyllo Dough? (you know, the stuff they make Baklava with) Or maybe it's puff pastry.
Layer #3: Strawberry ice cream (2 scoops side by side)
Layer #4: Phyllo Dough (I'm calling it baked Phyllo Dough--what do you think it is?)
Layer #5: More chocolate sauce
Layer #6: One scoop of white chocolate mousse nestled next to one scoop of dark chocolate mousse
Layer #7: More Phyllo Dough
Layer #8: Chocolate Sauce
Layer #9: Fresh Raspberries

Whew! This is the sort of dessert you just stand back and gape at when it's delivered to someone's table, then you strategically plan to "leave room" for dessert (or perhaps skip the meal altogether and go right for the Napolean!)

Let's break it down--I'm sure we can make this at home:

Chocolate Sauce--David Lebovitz has a killer chocolate sauce recipe. (Or of course they sell that stuff ready made at the store--shhhh, I won't tell!)

If it is phyllo dough or puff pastry, you can buy that at the store too. There are instructions on the box for cooking the dough so it comes out flaky but here are some extra tips that may be helpful for the phyllo dough.

Strawberry ice cream--Don't try to be a hero. Just buy it at the store.

Chocolate mouse--this looks like a very tasty and easy chocolate mousse recipe.

White Chocolate Mousse-- Oh this  white chocolate mousse recipe looks yummy (and so simple)!

Whew! That was an intense dissection of this drool worthy dessert--will anyone attempt this baby?

Comments

[Andrea]

Couldn't we just go to the restaurant? I don't even care if its a $50 dessert. I'd kill it if I tried it, because phyllo dough and that's what that looks like, and I don't get along.

[Chocolate Chipped]

Hey Andrea,

I hear ya! This masterpiece is offered at the Sonoma Chicken Coop Restaurant, http://www.sonomachickencoop.com/ and it's totally not fair that I am no where near California! (If I was, I would drive to this baby!)

[Jenny]

I love checking in here, your pictures are so gorgeous, what a fabulous looking dessert!

[Andrea]

I'm no where near California either :( Dang. One day I'm going to try phyllo dough again. It probably won't be pretty though.

[Chocolate Chipped]

Hey Jenny,

Aww, thank you! :-) You're so sweet.

This photographer did a great job (I soooo want to eat this!)

[Chocolate Chipped]

Andrea,

Yes, try the phyllo dough--this dessert would be worth it!