Retro desserts can be made better with a modern twist. Here's an example of how to make an old-fashioned chocolate mousse pie that's rich and smooth with a dash of whiskey for a taste of Ireland.
Are you looking for a dessert that looks delicious and tastes amazing. This chocolate mousse pie filling is blended with Irish whiskey for a creamy, dreamy pie that is sure to please.
This pie filling is prepared on the stove top - no baking required. The pie crust is made with graham cracker crumbs and butter. In Ireland digestive biscuits work perfectly instead of the graham crackers.
In Ireland I would call this recipe a chocolate whiskey mousse tart. When I checked the difference between a pie and a tart I discovered that a pie can have a bottom crust, top crust or both, with most pies having crusts that cover the filling. The official definition claims that a tart has only one crust.
That's not how our naming goes in Ireland. We call an apple pie with two crusts, an apple tart. We make rhubarb tarts with top and bottom shortcrust pastry layers. Plus we also call cakes with one crust layer a tart.
So I really don't know what the exact definition for a pie or a tart may be, considering I grew up in Ireland calling all kinds of pies by the name tart.
Anyway, whatever we call this chocolate dessert, either a pie or a tart, we can definitiely call it delicious.
This is one of my all time favorite pie recipes, so let's get started with our pie tutorial.
Ingredients for Chocolate Whiskey Mousse Tart
Here you'll find a quick list of the ingredeints required. For exact quantities of each ingredient, please refer to the printable recipe below.
There you'll be able to toggle between US and Metric versions of the recipe and decide how you would like to save or print it. You'll also find nutritional information including calories, protein, cholesterol, sodium and fiber values.
Ingredients for Crumb Base
- graham cracker crumbs
- unsalted butter
I like to use graham cracker crumbs, or if I am in Ireland I use crushed digestive biscuits.
Crused oreo might be a nice substitution if you like an extra chocolatey oreo crust.
Ingredients for Whiskey Mousse Filling
- heavy whipping cream
- plain or semi-sweet chocolate
- whiskey
- confectioners’ sugar (divided)
- heavy whipping cream to decorate.
I use a plain dark chocolate for this recipe rather than cocoa powder. You can use semisweet chocolate chips which have a nice chocolate flavor, or if you like very sweet chocolate you can use milk chocolate chips. For dark chocolate lovers bittersweet chocolate chips can be used, but I find the flavor is a little intense with this type of chocolate.
I do not add any vanilla extract to this pie, but if you would like to add a little extra smoothness to the flavor of the whiskey then feel free to add a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
Equipment
I use a 9-inch round pie dish with sides for this recipe.
You can use a springform pan or pie tin for this cake. It's lovely to be able to release the sides of the pan and display the whole cake on a pedestal cake platter.
Directions for Chocolate Mousse Pie Recipe
First we'll prepare the cookie crumb crust for our pie. Crumble the graham crackers finely. You can use a food processor for this task.
Melt the butter in a pan. You can melt the butter in a microwave using a microwave safe bowl. Melt the butter in bursts of 20 seconds stirring in between each heating episode.
Combine the cookie crumbs and melted butter until thoroughly mixed. Make sure the cookie crumbs are all soaked in butter.
I use unsalted butter for this step, since the graham crackers already have a little salty flavor.
Press the cookie crumbs into the base and up the sides of a 9-inch round pie tin. Chill the crust for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
You can choose to use a store bought, pre-made graham cracker pie crust if you wish to simplify this first step. It will turn out just fine.
Next it's time to make our chocolate pie filling.
Make the Pie Filling
Add ¾ cup of heavy whipping cream to a bowl over a saucepan of hot water. It is important to use heavy cream for this mousse. The extra fat in the cream is what helps the mousse to set.
Slowly warm the cream over low heat until it just reaches simmering point. Make sure you do not boil the cream since this will affect the flavor and creaminess of your chocolate mousse.
Remove the cream from the heat.
Add the chocolate to the heated cream and stir until the chocolate has fully melted and combined with the cream.
Leave this chocolate mixture to cool to room temperature.
When it has cooled it's time to add our delicious taste of Ireland. Stir in the whiskey.
You can use any whiskey you like, but being Irish, I choose an Irish whiskey. Bourbon will work great as will a fine Scotch whisky.
Next we need to thicken the remaining cream for the filling before adding it to the chocolate mixture.
Whip ¾ cups of heavy whipping cream with 2 tablespoons of confectioner’s sugar until soft peaks form. You can do this with a balloon whisk, but it's far quicker with a hand held or stand mixer.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until combined.
Pour the chocolate filling into the cookie crumb base. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
Now it is time to decorate the top of the pie.
If you used a springfrom pie dish, release the sides before serving and slide the cake onto a serving plate.
I simply decorate the pie in the dish.
Whip the additional heavy whipping cream with 1 tablespoon of confectioners’ sugar until soft peaks form.
Serve chilled with each slice of the pie or use it to decorate the top of the pie with piped swirls of cream.
Chocolate shavings look great sprinkled over the decorative cream swirls.
Recipe Video and Printable Recipe Card
Here's a quick video demonstrating how to make this whiskey pie...
Here's the printable recipe for your kitchen files.
Irish Whiskey Chocolate Mousse Pie
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Graham Cracker Crust
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
For the Whiskey Chocolate Mousse Filling
- 1½ cups heavy whippingcream
- 5 ounces plain chocolate semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons whiskey
- 3 tablespoons confectioners’sugar divided
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream to decorate
Instructions
- Melt the butterin a pan. Combine the cookie crumbs and butter until thoroughly mixed.
- Press the cookie crumbs into the base and up the sides of a 9-inch round pie dish. Chill for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Add ¾ cup of heavy whipping cream to a bowl over a saucepan of hot water. Slowly warm over low heat until it reaches simmering point. Do not boil. Remove from the heat.
- Add the chocolate and stir until fully melted and combined with the cream. Leave to cool to room temperature.
- Stir in the whiskey.
- Whip ¾ cups of heavy whipping cream with 2 tablespoons of confectioner’ sugar until soft peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until combined.
- Pour the chocolate filling into the cookie crumb base. Chill for 1 to 2 hours.
- Whip the additional heavy whipping cream with 1 tablespoon of confectioners’ sugar until stiff peaks form. Serve chilled with each slice of the pie or use it to decorate the top of the pie with piped swirls of cream.
Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
Happy baking Irish style.
If you're a fan of no-bake desserts why not check out some of my other favorite sweet treats that are easy to make...
Easy Vegan Raspberry Cheesecakes
How To Make Strawberry Mousse From Scratch
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
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Andrea
Whiskey is a great addition to this amazing chocolate mousse pie. Will definitely be a huge hit in my house!
Irish American Mom
Hi Andrea - Chocolate and whsikey are a perfect pairing in my book too. So glad you like this recipe. Thanks for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mairéad
☘️ ☘️ ☘️
Barrie
Hi Mairéad,
I will be making this first thing tomorrow morning and I can't wait to taste it! My family love desserts that combine Irish whiskey and chocolate. Big gathering of family and friends tomorrow, so I have also made your Guinness Chocolate Cake and Irish Apple Cake - everyone will be delighted 💚 The Leprechaun Trap craft table for the kids will also be set up. Thanks again for all your great recipes, ideas, and ramblings! Happy Saint Patrick's Day~
Take Care,
B
Irish American Mom
Hi Barrie - I hope your family gathering will be ever so enjoyable, full of stories, laughs and plenty of Irish sheanigans. Your dessert menus sounds perfect. Thanks so much for making and sharing my recipes. I hope the little ones will have lots of one creating their Leprechaun traps. Thanks for being such a loyal reader.
Best wishes, and lots of Irish luck to you and yours.
Mairéad
☘️ ☘️ ☘️
kushigalu@gmail.com
Never tried this combination while making pie. Looks delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Irish American Mom
Thanks for checking out my latest recipe. I hope you'll like it. Have a lovely Saint Patrick's Day.
All the best,
Mairéad
☘️ ☘️ ☘️
Dannii
Oh yum! This chocolate pie looks deliciously indulgent and perfect for St Patrick's Day!
Irish American Mom
Hi Dannii - This is a scrumptious Saint Patrick's Day treat. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and rate my recipe. I really appreciate it. Happy Saint Patrick's Day.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
☘️ ☘️ ☘️
Sara
Delicious chocolate pie, loved the hint of whisky!
Irish American Mom
Hi Sara - The hint of whiskey is perfect - not overpowering but a lovely smooth pairing for the creamy chocolate pie filling. Thanks for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
☘️ ☘️ ☘️
Kate
Oh what a gorgeous pie - whiskey and chocolate are a great match. Perfect St Patrick's Day dessert!
Irish American Mom
Hi Kate - This pie is a great way to celebrate being Irish. A little Irish whiskey adds the perfect taste of Ireland. Thanks for checking out my recipe.
All the best,
Mairéad
☘️ ☘️ ☘️