Chocolate Mousse Loaf with Raspberry Purée

This sweet finale can be made a day ahead and chilled until time to serve.

Yield: 16 servings

Ingredients

• 2  cups  whipping cream, divided
• 2  (8-ounce) packages semisweet chocolate squares
• 1/2  cup  light corn syrup
• 1/2  cup  butter or margarine
• 1/4  cup  sifted powdered sugar
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• 1  (10-ounce) package frozen raspberries, thawed
• Garnishes: fresh mint sprigs, fresh raspberries

Preparation

Line a 9- x 5-inch loafpan with plastic wrap, extending edges of wrap over sides of pan; set aside.

Combine 1/2 cup whipping cream, chocolate squares, corn syrup, and butter in a heavy saucepan; cook, stirring constantly, over low heat until chocolate melts. Cool.

Beat remaining 1 1/2 cups whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form; fold into chocolate mixture. Pour into prepared pan, and chill at least 8 hours.

Process raspberries in a blender or food processor until smooth, stopping once to scrape down sides. Pour purée through a fine wire-mesh strainer, if desired, pressing with the back of a spoon; discard seeds. Chill.

Invert mousse loaf onto a serving platter, and remove plastic wrap. Slice loaf, and serve with raspberry puree. Garnish, if desired.