The holidays are rapidly approaching and we will soon be in the midst of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve preparations. However, we will still have all the regular family and work responsibilities along with random potlucks, school plays, office parties, the kids extracurriculars, hosting dinners for family and friends and the list continues.
My chest is getting tight just thinking about it! I don’t know about you, but I often find it difficult to keep the holiday juggling act running smoothly, there are just too many balls in the air.
I have a holiday secret to share with you. Next time you’re invited to a potluck, office party or are having friends for a holiday dinner, I have the answer to the “what can I take?” or “what will we have for dessert?” questions. Well in advance, I make a pan or two of these fabulous, no-bake Chocolate Mousse Squares and have them tucked away in the freezer, ready to impress.
The first time I had these deliciously decadent, Chocolate Mousse Squares was several years ago. A fellow nurse and I were working the weekend shift in the Operating Room and she brought in a pan of these squares as a little dinnertime treat!
It was love at first bite! These squares are a silky, smooth, creamy delight; once you have one, you will definitely be hooked.
Today, in advance of the holiday madness, I am making Chocolate Mousse Squares with the help of my new Baker’s Secret Easy Store bakeware. This is the perfect dessert for both a random potluck or an elegant holiday dinner party!
They are super easy to make and the best part, you can make them days ahead and just store them in your freezer. (To avoid encountering the “empty pan phenomenon”, I suggest storing these squares under tight security!)
On a side note. Storage in my kitchen is at a premium and I LOVE how easy this Baker’s Secret bakeware set is to store. Each piece nests and stacks with the others for compact, space-saving storage. The pieces also are easy to use – they have nonstick surfaces (safe for metal utensils!) and are dishwasher safe.
The easy to store set includes:
- Includes 4” x 8” medium loaf pan, 6-cup muffin pan (2-1/2” x 8”x 1-1/3”), 8″ square dish, 9-1/2” x 13-1/2” cookie sheet and 9″ x 13″ cake pan
- Superior nonstick surface
- Durable & long-lasting
- Dishwasher & metal spatula safe
- Also sold separately
- Full Lifetime Warranty
You can go from this:
Everything fits together into a small orderly set, in about five seconds flat.
To this in seconds.
These decadent Chocolate Mousse Squares are almost as quick to make as these pans are to stack together. I hope you will give this recipe a try, you won’t be disappointed!
Gather everything you will need. There is nothing worse than getting part way through a recipe only to discover you are missing an ingredient.
Mix cookie crumbs and melted butter together; press into bottom of the pan.
Using an electric mixer, beat cheese until smooth and creamy.
Beat in milk, then melted chocolate and finally, Cool Whip until well combined.
Pour over prepared crust.
Line your square pan with two alternating strips of parchment paper. (Leave an overlap on all sides to facilitate easy removal of frozen squares from the pan.)
The delicious finished squares.
TIP – Remove the squares from the freezer about 15 minutes before serving. This allows them to soften a little and facilitates immediate devouring!
- 1¼ cup dark chocolate cookie crumbs
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 5 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted (melt according to package directions)
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tubs plain, spreadable style cream cheese
- 2 cups cool Whip, thawed
- Line a square pan, I used a Baker's Secret 20 cm x 20 cm x 5.2cm (~ 8"x8"x2") with two alternating 8-inch strips of parchment paper. (Leave an overlap on all sides to facilitate easy removal of squares from the pan)
- Mix cookie crumbs and melted butter together; press into bottom of the pan.
- Using an electric mixer, beat cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Beat in the milk then melted chocolate and finally, Cool Whip until well combined.
- Pour over the prepared crust.
- If desired, top with a sprinkling of additional cookie crumbs.
- Freeze for a minimum of 4-6 hours.
- Remove dessert from freezer 15 minutes prior to serving.
- To serve, using parchment, lift squares from pan to a cutting board and slice.
I hope knowing a pan or two of these Decadent Chocolate Mousse Squares are tucked away in your freezer, relieves some of your holiday stress. As always, if you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to ask.
What are some of your favourite desserts to make over the Christmas holidays?
Do you like to have a stash of goodies stored in your freezer for unexpected guests?
You can connect with Baker’s Secret, one of the World Kitchen family of brands via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
GIVEAWAY
One Canadian winner is going to receive a Baker’s Secret, 8″ cake pan.
My favorite thing to bake during the holidays is apple pie and cookies!
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My favourite thing to bake are snowball cookies!
I love to cook duck over the holidays. A family tradition.
I love to bake my grandma’s gingerbread cake!
I love knowing I have a stash of goodies in my freezer……I don’t have them yet, but after I make this delicious recipe it will be a start! :-)
I like making sugar cookies during the holiday season
cookies…lots of different varieties!
I love to bake shortbread cookies and gingerbread cheesecake.
Assorted Christmas cookies
I love baking sugar cookies and shortbread!
Meat pies are what I love to bake during the holidays
I like to make pumpkin pies or butter tarts
shortbread. thanks
Love baking cookies.
My favorite thing to cook around the holidays is Nanaimo Bars.
I like making fudge of all flavors.
Millionaire’s shortbread is my favourite. You squares are stunning though.
my fave thing to make is peanut butter balls and bark.
It looks delicious.
My favorite thing is preparing food with family.
I make a really mean banna split cake
I love baking all sorts of cookies and chocolaty treats. I don’t have a favourite really.
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I fill myself up with shortbread every holiday season.
Besos, Sarah
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My favorite thing to make is finding new deserts to try.
I love making ginger snaps.
Warm apple pie, yum.
I love making butter tarts!
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I love to bake shortbread at the holidays!
I love to make bouche de noel and shortbread!
My go-to recipe is chocolate Mudpies (no-bake chocolate cookies)
I like making cookies and squares
My favourite thing to bake for the holidays is all kinds of cookies!
I have to make Snowball and Peanut butter ball cookies for my family.
I love to bake sugar cookies for my family during the Holidays!
shortbread cookies
ice box cookies!
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Shortbread , gingerbread, cheesecake (turtle) , okay so anything sweet , decadent and just plain sinful
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I love baking banana bread during the holidays. It is so delicious and the perfect baked good for sharing.
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I love to bake gingerbread cookies and peppermint cream puffs during the holidays!
I love pumpkin pie/sweet potato pie with real whipped cream & pumpkin pie spice sprinkles on top Yum
Shortbread is the one for Christmas holidays!
Cheers.
Shortbread cookies
I like making candy cane bark
I love to Bake Shortbread Cookies
I love cooking and baking in general. It makes me super happy to be in the kitchen but I do love cooking a full traditional chicken, stuffing type meal and I love baking shortbread cookies. They always seem to get loooots of compliments!
Definitely Nanaimo bars – yum!
Any kind of cookies!
I love to bake (and decorate) sugar cookies during the holidays.
my favorite thing to bake is sugar cookies with icing
i like making skorr bars
peanut butter cookies
I love making gluten free cream puffs! Maybe a tie for make the toe plates though!
I love baking cookies and tend to go a bit overboard making them at Christmas time.