Strawberry Chocolate Mousse

Strawberry Chocolate Mousse
By: Jo-Anne Clark Brown

2 (1oz) squares of semisweet chocolate
3 Tablespoons hot water
8 oz cream cheese
1 Tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
¼ cup milk
2 cups (1 pint) whipping cream
2 Tablespoons superfine baking sugar
2 cups sliced strawberries

In a saucepan with a heavy bottom or in a double broiler melt the chocolate in the hot water over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from the heat and cool.

In a medium bowl beat half of the cream cheese with confectioners sugar until well blended. Add the milk and beat until blended. In a separate bowl whip the cream until it begins to thicken. Add the sugar and continue to beat until stiff. Do not overbeat. Mix 2 cups of the whipped cream into the creamed cheese mixture, then mix in 1 cup of the sliced strawberries. Transfer to a soufflé dish or dessert bowl. Chill.

Beat the remaining cream cheese until fluffy. Blend in the melted chocolate and remaining whip cream. Cover the chilled strawberry-cream cheese mixture with the chocolate mixture. Chill completely for about 4 hours. Serve with the remaining sliced strawberries and additional whipped cream if desired.

Serves 6-8.