Chocolate Peppermint Mousse

Christmas Music. Take Two.

Last year, I compiled a Top Ten(ish) list of Christmas songs that basically make me want to stick a festive holiday fork in my eye anytime they hit the airwaves. I know that sounds awful, but seriously folks, have you heard some of these songs? Shocking. I can't switch the channel over fast enough. 

As I mentioned in that post, there is only a small window of opportunity in which to enjoy these tunes. Christmas is such a magical time of year; it should be nothing less than incredible across the board. It's important to make it good and make it count. In fact, I'm even overlooking and welcoming that many radio stations are now playing them before US Thanksgiving. 

When I speak of Christmas songs, I'm talking about the fun and festive songs of reindeer, frolicking in the snow, decking the halls, and Santa. Christmas carols, in my opinion, are beautiful hymn-like songs that are sung….sang….sung in church or once upon a time were su.…sa….belted out door to door as depicted in old movies, on greeting cards, or in the days of yore. 

This year, I decided to flip the coin and list my favourite songs at Christmastime. Mind you, I have quite a few, probably more than listed below, but I broke it down to these. I also slipped in a modernized carol or two because I absolutely adore the artists renditions of said songs. 

However, unlike last year, I don't really have any rhyme or reason why I love these particular songs, I just do. They fill my heart in a way songs should this time of the year; songs that put a smile on my face, fill me with the spirit of the season, and make me wish it really was Christmas everyday.

These same songs also make me forgive those last minute scrooges; crazies that forget their manners, honk their bloody horns like they're the only people in the world with places to be, drive like maniacs, push and shove in the mall, and completely miss the entire point of why we celebrate Christmas. Jesus is absolutely the reason for the season. It's important we keep it that way. 

So while you're reading this, please enjoy this chocolatey and minty mousse. And feel free to pop one or two of these tunes into your holiday musical repertoire. 

You'll be glad you did. 

On both counts.

* MY FAVOURITE SONGS AT CHRISTMASTIME *

Christmas Day - Dido

Beautiful World (We're All Here - Christmas Version) - Adam Crossley

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee  

Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens  

Believe - Josh Groban

Joy To The World - Jewel   

Another Rock And Roll Christmas - Gary Glitter

Christmas in the Sand - Colbie Caillat 

Sleigh Ride - Ella Fitzgerald

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams

I Can't Wait For Christmas - Mindi Abair

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard

Christmas Time - Bryan Adams

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Johnny Mathis

Fairytale of New York - The Pogues (featuring Kirsty McColl)

2000 Miles - The Pretenders

25th December - Everything But The Girl

Merry Christmas Everybody - Slade

Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea

All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

Chocolate Peppermint Mousse

8 ounces good, quality dark (or semi sweet if preferred) chocolate, chopped
8 ounces white chocolate, chopped 
2 cups heavy cream, divided
1 teaspoon peppermint extract

In a saucepan over medium heat, bring ½ cup heavy cream to a simmer. Remove from heat and add in white chocolate and peppermint extract. Stir until smooth and creamy. Transfer white chocolate to a glass dish and place in fridge for 15-20 minutes to allow to thicken.

In a separate saucepan over medium heat, bring ¾ cup heavy cream to a simmer. Remove from heat and add in dark chocolate. Stir until smooth and creamy. Pour into bottom of glasses. Place glasses in fridge and allow to set for 30 minutes or until just set. Set remaining ganache aside. 

Beat remaining heavy cream to make whipped cream. Once consistency is achieved, gently fold whipped cream into white chocolate mixture. Divide mousse into cups on top of dark chocolate ganache. Place glasses back into fridge for 30 minutes or until just set. 

Once chilled, pour remaining dark chocolate ganache* on top of white chocolate mousse. (If ganache has solidified, place it in the microwave and heat for 3-5 seconds - just enough time to loosen up the chocolate. Place completed glasses back into fridge and allow to chill for an hour or so. 

When ready to serve, pipe whipped cream on top and sprinkle with crushed candy canes. 

*Depending in what size serving glass you use (I used four - 6 ounce glasses), you may have leftover chocolate ganache. If this is the case, it can be use to make truffles or eaten as is.