Think that just because you’re on a diet or watching your weight that you can’t enjoy some of the finer pleasures of the gastronomical world? Well, think again! For anyone who hasn’t tried one of Today Show Nutritionist Joy Bauer’s recipes, you’re in for a treat. You’d never guess that her creations are as healthy as they are delicious. Joy, herself, refers to this indulgent Chocolate Mousse as “Pure decadence” and loves whipping it up (no pun intended) for family and friends.

This particular recipe is featured in Joy’s new book,The Joy Fit Club: Cookbook, Diet Plan and Inspiration, which is chock full of delicious creations (as well as inspirational weight loss stories from numerous people who have all lost 100 or more pounds without any crazy fads or gimmicks, menu plans and healthy diet tips from Joy). I am honored Joy has allowed me to share this recipe with you. I hope you enjoy it!

Decadent Chocolate Mousse with Berries

Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
2 1/4 cups nonfat milk or original/plain soymilk
1 egg
1 ounce dark chocolate, finely chopped
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup whipping cream
1 1/2 cups assorted fresh berries (such as raspberries, blackberries, cherries, and/or sliced strawberries)
1/2 ounce dark chocolate, made into curls

Instructions
1. In a medium saucepan combine sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, espresso powder, and salt. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat for 9 to 11 minutes or until large bubbles are just starting to break the surface of the pudding (pudding will be thick, so to check for bubbles; stop stirring for 3 to 4 seconds). Reduce the heat to low and cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove from the heat.

2. In a medium bowl lightly beat the egg. Gradually whisk about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture into the egg. Add all the egg mixture along with the 1 ounce chopped chocolate into the saucepan with the rest of the pudding. Cook and stir over medium-low heat for 30 seconds to 1 1/2 minutes or until large bubbles are just starting to break the surface of the pudding (again, pudding will be thick so stop stirring for a few seconds to check for bubbles). Cook and stir over medium-low heat for 2 minutes more. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla.

3. Place the saucepan of pudding in a large bowl half-filled with ice water. Stir the pudding for 1 to 2 minutes to cool it quickly. Transfer the pudding to a large bowl. Cover the surface of the pudding with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or until well chilled.

4. Place whipping cream in a medium chilled bowl. Whisk or beat with a rotary beater until thick, soft peaks form. Gently fold half of the whipped cream into the chilled pudding. Gently fold in the remaining whipped cream. Divide mousse among six dessert dishes. Top with berries and garnish with chocolate curls.

Makes 6 servings
Serving Size: 1/2 cup pudding with 1/4 cup berries
Prep Time 30 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours

Nutrition Information
Calories: 240, Protein: 6 g, Total Fat: 10 g, Saturated Fat: 5 g, Cholesterol: 58 mg, Sodium: 103 mg, Carbohydrate: 36 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 26 g

Copyright © 2012 Joy Bauer. Reprinted with permission from, The Joy Fit Club: Cookbook, Diet Plan and Inspiration by Joy Bauer (Wiley)