mmm mmm mousse

Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope you're all having wonderful holidays - and here's a treat that's great for Christmas and New Years! My sister whipped up this eggnog mousse one night and it was the perfect holiday dessert to enjoy with good company by the tree. Thank you Martha Stewart for the recipe!

Ingredients:
3 Tablespoons dark rum
3 Tablespoons brandy
1 envelope unflavoured gelatin
3 large eggs, separated
1 cup sugar
2 cups heavy cream
1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/8 Teaspoon ground cloves
2 Teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions:
Prepare an ice bath; set aside. Combine spirits in a small bowl. Sprinkle with gelatin; let soften, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water; whisk until mixture is pale and fluffy, 2 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in gelatin mixture.

Set bowl over pan again; cook, whisking, until the gelatin has dissolved, about 3 minutes. Transfer bowl to the ice bath; scrape down sides of bowl, and whisk until cooled slightly, 1 to 2 minutes

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the remaining 1/2 cup sugar with cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla. Whisk until stiff peaks form. Fold one-third of whipped cream into gelatin mixture, then gently fold gelatin mixture into remaining whipped cream. Refrigerate (no more than 5 minutes) while preparing the egg whites.

In a clean bowl of the electric mixer, whisk egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into cream mixture. Transfer to a serving dish; cover. Chill until firm, at least 30 minutes or overnight. Serve chilled, garnished with coffee caramel and other recommended toppings.