Simple No-Bake Chocolate Cake That Looks Bakery-Made
If you love deep, intense chocolate desserts, this no-bake chocolate mousse cake is for you. Creamy, smooth, and not overly sweet, it features a crisp Oreo base and a silky chocolate glaze. An elegant dessert that looks impressive but comes together with simple mixing and chilling.
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Chilling Time 4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Oreo Cookie Base
- 90 g Oreo cookie crumbs from approx. 10-12 Oreos, filling removed
- 35 g unsalted butter melted
Dark Chocolate Mousse
- 160 g dark chocolate chopped
- 120 g whole milk
- 300 g heavy cream cold
- 6 g gelatin sheets
- 30 g granulated sugar
Dark Chocolate Glaze
- 60 g dark chocolate chopped
- 75 g heavy cream
Make the Oreo Cookie Base
Melt the butter gently over a water bath until fully liquid. Add the melted butter to the Oreo crumbs and mix until every crumb is evenly coated.
Pour the mixture into the bottom of a 6-inch springform pan or cake ring placed on a parchment-lined plate. Using the bottom of a glass or a measuring cup, press the crumbs down firmly and evenly to create a compact base. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to set while you make the mousse.
Prepare the Dark Chocolate Mousse
Place the gelatin sheets in a small bowl of cold water to soften for about 5 minutes.
Combine the chopped dark chocolate and milk in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a pot of gently simmering water (double boiler), ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Stir frequently until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
Remove the bowl from the heat. Squeeze out any excess water from the softened gelatin sheets and add them to the warm chocolate mixture. Stir vigorously until the gelatin is fully dissolved. Set this aside and let it cool to room temperature. It should feel just slightly warm to the touch.
In a separate large bowl, combine the cold heavy cream and sugar. Using an electric hand mixer or a whisk, whip the cream until it reaches soft to medium peaks—it should be thick, hold its shape, and have a creamy, spreadable consistency like thick yogurt. Be careful not to overwhip.
Pour the cooled (but still liquid) chocolate mixture into the whipped cream. Whip the two together until you have a uniformly chocolate-colored, smooth mousse with no streaks of white cream.
Assemble and Chill the Mousse Cake
Remove the prepared cookie base from the fridge. Pour the chocolate mousse over the base, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Gently tap the pan on the counter a few times to release any air bubbles.
Carefully transfer the cake to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, until the mousse is completely firm and set.
Make the Chocolate Glaze and Finish
Combine the dark chocolate and heavy cream in a bowl and melt over a water bath until smooth and glossy. Let the glaze cool to about body temperature — too hot and it will melt the mousse underneath.
Pour the glaze gently over the set mousse cake, allowing it to flow naturally over the surface. Tilt the pan slightly if needed to help it spread evenly.
Return the cake to the refrigerator for another 20 minutes, just until the glaze is set.