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Chocolate Terrine with Raspberry Sauce

posted by Liz Berg on August 18, 2024

Chocolate Terrine with Raspberry Sauce is the perfect option for an elegant chocolate dessert to add to your menu! This sublime chocolate terrine is the perfect option.

This Chocolate Mousse Terrine is ideal for the holidays, dinner parties, and special family gatherings. It makes a stunning presentation served on top of a vibrant, sweet raspberry sauce.

Overhead view of a Slice of Chocolate Terrine with Raspberry Sauce on a white plate with a red handle fork.

Table of Contents hide

1 Why You Must Make

2 Ingredient Notes:

3 Expert Tips

4 Culinary Lesson: How to Fold

5 Frequently Asked Questions

6 You May Also Like:

7 Chocolate Terrine with Raspberry Sauce

Why You Must Make

If your family is anything like mine, they demand a chocolate dessert on any special occasion. On Thanksgiving, a French silk pie joins the pumpkin. On Easter, a fudge lamb accompanies the layer cake or mousse. Christmas is up for grabs…and I have a feeling this chocolate terrine will be requested again.

It’s rich and chocolaty!
A simple sauce makes it holiday-worthy.
It can be made the day before so you’re not fussing with dessert while finishing up the rest of the menu.

Ingredient Notes:

Butter – I use salted as salt is a flavor enhancer, even in desserts. The amount in butter will not make the dessert salty. I also add a wee bit of salt to the chocolate mousse mixture.
Semisweet Chocolate – I recommend Ghirardelli bars. They’ll melt better than chocolate chips, which can be used in a pinch.
Instant Coffee – Coffee enhances the flavor of chocolate. It may be omitted if that’s your preference.
Powdered Sugar and Cocoa Powder – Sift to remove any lumps
Extra Large Eggs – Separate when cold as the yolks are less likely to break. Make sure the 3 egg whites you reserve aren’t contaminated with any yolk or they won’t whip properly. Note: the eggs will not be cooked so use pasteurized eggs if you have access or else use caution if serving this to the elderly, very young, or anyone with a compromised immune system.
Heavy Cream – Should be at least 36% butterfat to whip properly.
Kahlua – a coffee liqueur. As noted above coffee enhances the flavor of chocolate, plus alcohol is a flavor enhancer as well. This is optional or you may use another liqueur that would complement chocolate like Grand Marnier (orange).
Vanilla – Use pure vanilla extract, never imitation.
Lemon Juice – Never use bottled juice from the grocery store shelves, always freshly squeezed for the best flavor.

Chocolate Terrine with Raspberries and mint garnish on a white serving tray.

Expert Tips

If you’re going to unmold your terrine, make sure to line your loaf pan with plastic wrap.
Use pasteurized eggs if serving at-risk guests including the very young, very old, or immunocompromised. Uncooked eggs are in this mousse recipe.
There is no substitute for the eggs as they provide both the silky texture and the lightness for this mousse.
If your terrine is too soft to cut, place it in the freezer for an hour or two to allow it to firm up.

You may be squeamish when you realize this dessert contains raw eggs. We all need to be aware of foodborne illnesses, but there are ways to make terrific desserts like this without the risk of salmonella.

Have you heard of Safest Choice eggs*? Check your market for availability. You’ll need it for your Christmas eggnog (but not your Eggnog Scones!), French silk pies, meringue toppings, and more. These eggs are pasteurized therefore eliminating chances of exposure to salmonella bacteria. Uncooked eggs are essential to creating the velvety texture of this dessert. It’s worth the effort to find pasteurized eggs, so young and old alike can enjoy this holiday treat.

PRO-Tip: I’ve pasteurized eggs at home. It requires that you keep your eggs in water at 140-142º for 3 minutes which is long enough to kill any salmonella bacteria that could be lurking on or in the eggs.

*Note that I haven’t been able to find pasteurized eggs locally for the past couple of years. Darn it.

Culinary Lesson: How to Fold

If you know how to “fold,” you can make this terrine. Folding is the gentle process of combining one fluffy mixture into a more dense one. The goal is to not deflate the fluff (in this case the egg whites, then the whipped cream) too much so the dessert stays somewhat light.

Use a large rubber spatula and start by “cutting” through the middle following this process: down, across the bottom of the bowl, then up and fold over.
Then repeat and repeat, rotating the bowl as needed, until the mixture is homogeneous.
This means the mixture is all one color, and in this recipe, the batter looks chocolaty without any white streaks.

This ambrosial chocolate mixture is poured into a plastic-wrapped loaf pan and chilled. To serve, a hot knife cuts through the chocolate with ease. Garnish as you like. I know you’ll swoon with your first, second, and all subsequent bites!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Terrine?

A terrine is a rectangular dish with straight, high sides and a lid. Dishes cooked or made in a terrine are also called terrines. These range from meat pates to gelled aspic to vegetable dishes and even desserts.

How Do You Serve a Terrine?

A terrine is usually served by the slice after it’s unmolded. It can be cold or at room temperature depending on the recipe and your preference.

Can You Freeze a Chocolate Terrine?

Yes, this recipe freezes nicely. Freeze it in the loaf pan and make sure it’s wrapped tightly so it doesn’t get freezer burn. Defrost in the refrigerator to serve. It can be frozen for up to a month.

Can You Eat a Terrine When Pregnant?

It all depends on the ingredients. Since this chocolate terrine contains raw eggs, it shouldn’t be eaten by a pregnant woman unless pasteurized eggs are used.