Let’s dive into making a truly delightful dessert: a Passion Fruit Mousse Cake. This cake is a showstopper, perfect for celebrations or just to brighten up any day. The tangy passion fruit flavor combined with the light, airy mousse creates a taste sensation you won’t forget.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This Passion Fruit Mousse Cake recipe stands out because it perfectly balances sweet and tart flavors. The passion fruit mousse is incredibly light and fluffy, offering a refreshing contrast to the slightly denser cake base. It’s also surprisingly easy to make, with step-by-step instructions that guide you through each stage. Plus, the vibrant color of the passion fruit makes it visually stunning, guaranteeing to impress your family and friends. Get ready for rave reviews!
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Passion Fruit Mousse:
- 1 cup passion fruit puree (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 envelope (1/4 ounce) unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup heavy cream
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1/2 cup passion fruit puree
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Cake Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
2. Bake the Cake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
3. Cool the Cake
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can trim the top to create a flat surface, if needed.
4. Prepare the Passion Fruit Puree
If using frozen passion fruit puree, thaw it completely. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds (optional, but recommended for a smoother mousse). You should have about 1 cup of passion fruit juice.
5. Make the Passion Fruit Mousse Base
In a medium saucepan, combine the passion fruit puree, sugar, and egg yolks. Whisk constantly over medium heat until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon (about 5-7 minutes). Be careful not to let it boil or the egg yolks will scramble. Remove from heat and set aside.
6. Bloom the Gelatin
In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water. Let it stand for 5 minutes to soften.
7. Combine Gelatin and Mousse Base
Add the bloomed gelatin to the warm passion fruit mixture and stir until completely dissolved. Let the mixture cool slightly.
8. Whip the Heavy Cream
In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
9. Fold the Cream into the Mousse
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled passion fruit mixture in two additions, being careful not to deflate the cream. Mix until just combined.
10. Assemble the Cake
Place the cooled cake on a serving plate or cake stand. Pour the passion fruit mousse over the cake, spreading it evenly.
11. Chill the Cake
Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the mousse to set completely.
12. Prepare the Glaze (Optional)
In a small saucepan, whisk together the passion fruit puree, sugar, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the glaze thickens and becomes clear (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
13. Glaze the Cake (Optional)
Pour the cooled glaze over the chilled cake, spreading it evenly. Return the cake to the refrigerator for another 30 minutes to allow the glaze to set.
Serving Suggestions
This Passion Fruit Mousse Cake is a delightful dessert on its own, but you can elevate the experience with thoughtful pairings. A light, fruity tea or a sparkling cider complements the tangy passion fruit flavor beautifully. Consider adding a few fresh berries, like raspberries or blueberries, for an extra burst of freshness and color.
For presentation, consider dusting the cake with powdered sugar or garnishing with fresh mint leaves. The vibrant yellow of the passion fruit mousse makes it visually appealing, so a simple and elegant presentation is often best. This cake is perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion where you want to impress your guests. It’s also a wonderful treat to enjoy during warmer months, as the refreshing flavors are particularly enjoyable on a sunny day.
Storage and Reheating
To store any leftover Passion Fruit Mousse Cake, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The mousse may slightly lose its airy texture over time, but the flavor will remain delicious.
This cake is best served chilled, so reheating is not recommended. In fact, attempting to reheat it could cause the mousse to melt and the cake to become soggy. It’s always best to enjoy it straight from the refrigerator for the optimal taste and texture.
Key Details
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Chill Time: 4 hours (or overnight)
- Servings: 8-10 slices
Equipment Needed:
- 9-inch round cake pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Electric mixer (optional, but helpful for whipping cream)
- Saucepan
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Wire rack
Passion Fruit Mousse Cake
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup passion fruit puree fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 envelope 1/4 ounce unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup passion fruit puree
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can trim the top to create a flat surface, if needed.
- If using frozen passion fruit puree, thaw it completely. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds (optional, but recommended for a smoother mousse). You should have about 1 cup of passion fruit juice.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the passion fruit puree, sugar, and egg yolks. Whisk constantly over medium heat until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon (about 5-7 minutes). Be careful not to let it boil or the egg yolks will scramble. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water. Let it stand for 5 minutes to soften.
- Add the bloomed gelatin to the warm passion fruit mixture and stir until completely dissolved. Let the mixture cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled passion fruit mixture in two additions, being careful not to deflate the cream. Mix until just combined.
- Place the cooled cake on a serving plate or cake stand. Pour the passion fruit mousse over the cake, spreading it evenly.
- Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the mousse to set completely.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the passion fruit puree, sugar, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the glaze thickens and becomes clear (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Pour the cooled glaze over the chilled cake, spreading it evenly. Return the cake to the refrigerator for another 30 minutes to allow the glaze to set.
