
When I asked Bill what he would like me to prepare for him while I am gone for a few days, his answer was an unequivocal "Mousse please!". Yes, he is a softee and I know his mom spoiled him with homemade desserts pretty much all his life so his answer did not come as a surprise. I did prepare a few things to warm up after work during the five days I'll be gone but I know Bill. When I showed him where everything was in the fridge, his eyes immediately landed on these Vanilla, Salted Butter Caramel and Chocolate Mousses. And they were all the way in the back. Of course.
So where am I going for 5 days that he needs a fridge full of goodies? San Francisco! I am attending the 2009 BlogHer conference which will be held on Saturday. I am also one of the speakers at the conference! I am so psyched about this event for so many reasons. For starters just take a look at the program here. All these amazing bloggers giving of their experience and expertise, I am honored to be among them and hope to contribute as much as they are.
Then there are all these attendees that I will finely get to meet in person and finally hug silly until they call security because Tartelette is cutting their air supply from excitement! Friends kept tweeting they wanted to meet me, well I want to meet them just as much.

Last May, I was supposed to join Bill on a working trip near Jen from Use Real Butter and we immediately made the plan that I'd stay with her a few days while he'd work. That plan fell through. We were both upset at the circumstances and she asked if I'd be coming to San Francisco for BlogHer. She was. Maybe we could meet up there. This summer has been financially sucky so we were pretty much tied down not going anywhere for a long time. She emailed back the same day and said in her usual ways "Damn it Helen! You're going! Here are Frequent Flyers miles we are not using and you are sharing a room with me. Get a conference ticket and we'll figure something out."
Yes. That is the kind of chick Jen is and I am proud to call her my friend. She rocks. Period.
Man! Those tickets were hotter than the best Nutella crepes on a street cart in Paris. They sold out before I could even log on the computer. So waitlist it was. Drats! Then my name got tossed in the hat for potential speaker and the wait began. Either a ticket would come open or I'd be a speaker in which case I would not need one. Nothing happened on either front for a very long time. Then, I finally scored a ticket and three days later got an email about being a speaker (in case you are wondering, that ticket went back in the ticket pool).

So here we are...On Friday I get to squeeze silly one of the best gals I know and on Saturday I will be talking about "Your Blog is Great…now what? Letting your blog lead the way to new opportunity". I am honored, ecstatic and nervous all at once. Sharing this panel with Jaden and Amy gives the chance to see three different people with different opportunities, different paths and at different pit stops on their careers. I have no doubt this panel will be informative and fun. Did I say I was psyched already? Ok, ok....
Well, I am not done being psyched because my friend Anita from Married With Dinner extended an invite to stay with her a couple for a few days passed the conference and of course I jumped on it! Finally we get to hang out! We have plenty of fun things planned and I can't wait to tell you about it through pictures and emotions. There will be plenty of dinners, lunches and stories shared with friends and strangers and I hope to post a few fun shots while I am gone.
I know by now you must be pretty tired about me gushing about the next five days, so I will shut up and give you back some of the "good schtuff" I am lucky to experience everyday by hosting a little giveaway.

To win one of these adorable demi style aprons by The Hip Hostess (winner's choice) all you have to do is leave a comment on this post between Thursday September 24th and Sunday September 27th, midnight Eastern Time. My dear husband will draw the winner at random and I will put her/him in contact with The Hip Hostess to pick the preferred demi style apron. But that's not all! Deborah from The Hip Hostess generously offers all the readers of Tartelette a 15% discount on any order throughout October 15th 2009. Use the promo code TART (all caps) at check out. Very cool!
Enter Jen's to win an Ipod Nano and enter here to win a fabulous apron handmade by The Hip Hostess, so you can bake and groove in style. And no, we did not plan it, would not have worked, ahah!
Now you can understand why I loaded the fridge with tons of good things for Bill to eat while I am gone. I am sad he won't be able to walk around SF with me but I know he is not yet prepared for a room full of people saying "Oh my god it's you!" and hugging you every 5 minutes. He said mousse was just fine. Especially one that starts with a soft and silky Bavarian cream and combines delicious layers such as vanilla, salted butter caramel and chocolate...

Vanilla, Salted Butter Caramel and Chocolate Mousse:
Serves 4 to 6 depending on the size of your ramekins
Notes: you want to prepare the caramel part of this triplr mousse first as it needs to cool down properly before being incorporated to the rest of the base.
For the caramel:
1/2 cup (100gr) sugar
2 tablespoons (30ml) water
1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or fine sea salt
1/4 cup (60ml ) heavy cream
2 teaspoons (10gr) unsalted butter
For the chocolate:
4 oz (120gr) dark semisweet chocolate
For the vanilla mousse base:
4 egg yolks
1/4 cup (50 gr) sugar
1 cup (250 ml) whole milk
1/2 vanilla bean
1 Tb (7gr) powdered gelatin, sprinkled over 3 Tb water
1 cup (250ml) heavy cream
Prepare the caramel:Place the sugar and water in a medium heavy bottomed saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Continue to cook until caramel in color. Remove from the heat and add the salt, heavy cream and butter. Stir with a wooden spoon until completely smooth. Let cool to room temperature.
Prepare the chocolate:
In a medium bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt the chocolate until smooth. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
Prepare the mousse base:
In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until very pale. In the meantime, in a large saucepan set over medium heat, bring the milk and the vanilla bean (split open and scraped over the milk) to a boil. Slowly pour the milk over the yolks, whisking constantly. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan over medium low heat and cook until the cream coats the back of a spoon (as if making creme anglaise). Add the softened gelatin and stir until melted completely into the cream. Let cool to room temperature.
Whip the heavy cream to soft peaks and fold it into the cooled cream base. Divide the base into three equal portions (one will stay untouched).
Assemble:
Add a couple of tablespoons of the base to the caramel to lighten it a bit and stir with a spoon. Gently fold the rest of the alloted mousse base into the caramel with a spatula.
Do the same for the chocolate portion.
Layer all three parts evenly into dishes or ramekins and refrigerate for an hour.
430 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 430 Newer› Newest»Love your blog, love the photography, love the mousse, love the aprons! Love it all!
Have a fantastic time in SF! You will have a blast for sure! It's wonderful that you are speaking at the conference. Wish I were able to attend. Gorgeous mousse!
Chocolate and salted caramel, can we put it in a to go cup and call it a day?
Ooh, have a fantastic time with Jen in SF! I have her to thank for finding your blog...
I love those aprons! And the mousse looks delicious.
Your mousse is gorgeous! I would love to win an apron, also!
OMG - I love the cherry apron so much. It's so adorable.
I would love to win one!
Having to test out a new apron would be the perfect reason to start making mousse again (:
Thanks for the give away, and I'm jealous about the conference!
Have fun at the conference.. I always love these little cute spoons. The mousse looks like it's too cute to eat.
those aprons are adorable! i think i might have to get myself one even if i dont win ^^
Those aprons are so cute! And the mousse looks delicious :)
I cannot wait to make this delectable dessert!! And the aprons are adorable. :) I wish I was going to San Fran too, I would love to learn more about how to make a blog successful.
San Francisco - that's my town! Be sure to try desserts at Citizen Cake, and head over to Berkeley to eat at Chez Panisse if you can!
OoOooOohHhHhHHh!!! I wannnnnnt!! :D
If only I could get my boyfriend to eat moussey things. Perhaps if I cooked some up in one of those lovely aprons... ;)
If I won I'd pick the Cherry Me apron print. Love your blog!
Awww, those are adorable!
Great news on getting into Blog Her. Good luck and have fun! That mousse is gorgeous and looks delicious.
something about layered desserts makes me swoon! :)
You never disappoint your readers. Looks delicious!
oh how cute! and as usual everything looks delicious....
I think that the aprons are so cute. I want to say that your photos of the food our fabulous!
those aprons are lovely, just like everything on your site!
I cannot wait to make these delicious goodies! Yum, yum, yum!
The aprons are just the perfect thing to wear while making these little cups of mousse, too!
You have the best most delicious recipes. I love your blog.
And... aren't those aprons adorable.
the mousse looks yummy! And those aprons are darling as well!
micaela6955 at msn dot com
mmm that looks delicious! the aprons itself are pretty darn cute too!
I'm tossing my name in the hat.
cute, cute, cute!
Beautiful posts..and lovely aprons! :)
mmm those look so good.
Ohh, how I've always lusted after these aprons...
San Francisco sounds like fun to me.I'll be vacationing in Charleston this year.Will the apron help with the mousse?Than surely I need one.
Salted caramel ANYTHING is amazing :)
your photos are beautiful and mouth-watering!
and the aprons are adorable!
The mousse and aprons both look fabulous!
Woah, I love the salted caramel layer! I'd love to make these using some clear glasses like you did :)
Have a great trip to San Francisco!! Whenever you get a chance please tell us about your conference for all us bloggers that can't be there! Enjoy!!
www.deharinaydemaiz.com
Wow! Now that is fate! What a fabulous big hearted gal, Jen is the definition of Friend...
I wish you well at the convention! (so near, yet so far...I'm in Tacoma, WA)
The mousse looks delish. And have fun at BlogHer :D
OOoh, I love all your photos. They are so delicious looking and beautiful. I would love to win one of these pretty aprons.
When does your cookbook come out? Have been thinking about buying an apron recently. Would be great to win one.
The aprons are adorable. You changed your blog I notice.
chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com
Have fun! Love the mousses...they are gorgeous. Sarah in New Zealand.
I really wish I could be there too! I'll comfort myself with your mousse... and maybe I'll win an apron, too! :)
You should just close the contest now because I'm totally going to win :)
Oh, that looks delicious, and the aprons are so cute!
that is beautiful mousse!! WISH i could bake like that...and sure you can enter me into the apron giveaway...I LOVE the black and white one!!!
Those aprons are almost too beautiful to use. I said almost.
Would love to win one of these gorgeous aprons! Thanks ;-) Yudith
Yummy! Beautiful aprons! teresa942@gmail.com
I love them!!
Mary G.
Looks absolutely divine! Have fun at the con~!
i love the aprons and the mousse is yummy looking. xoxo
Wow, I am totally amazed by your blog. And your creations! Wish I was going to SFO just to meet you.
I love those aprons! Is international shipping included?
Those desserts look soo nice!!! Wish i could take a bite!
love the aprons too,i dont have one yet so here is to hoping i win something for once in my life :P
Hope you enjoy the conference. Make sure you do some sight-seeing. I live here and I still do it. You are inspiring as always.
This is the Dessert I didnt know I was waiting for!! Thanks a lot!
I am going to try it right away and make it for "the girls" on my birthday next week! thanks so much!
Wow! Sounds like you're in for a weekend full of good things - so wonderful to read about how it all came together for you.
Can't wait to hear about your adventures when you get back.
Looks delicious and your photos are as stunning as ever. The approns look super cute. Fingers crossed
Lovely aprons that sure would make my fall cooking more fun!
Hi Helen,
I'm following your blog for so long now, but I'm always too shy to write. You really inspire(d) me with your great photography and delicious recipes. So far I created a own food blog this summer.
Anyway your mousse just looks perfect and is on the head of the to-do-food-list.
Have a good time in San Francisco!
me me me!!! I would like to have one too :P
Thank you for the giveaway!!
Love the aprons...and the mousse au chocolat too.
Have a nive trip in San Fran and viele Grüsse aus München!
I'm feeling vicarious excitement. I can just imagine you & Jen sharing a room. Hope you get SOME sleep.
We're simply delighted and totally flattered to be featured on Tartelette.You have definitely captured the sweet side of life with your amazing photos. Thanks a bunch for all the sweet talk, Merci!
Have a wonderful trip!
Love your blog! Your photos are amazing.
Three flavors of mousse, Bill is so lucky. The aprons are great as I love that site and planning a birthday gift to my SIL who collects them. Have fun in SF.
This would be such a treat for my parents-in-law, coming tonight!
The mousse looks outrageously delicious, and the aprons are adorable! Thanks for the wonderful post, and have a great trip!
Oh man. Curse you, grad school, for giving me homework to interfere with my chance to make this mousse RIGHT NOW!
I love the aprons and would like to win one. F. Moore
Those aprons are absolutely adorable, and even though I never win anything like this, I'll still throw my hat in the ring. Enjoy the conference!
I haven't made mousse in years, I'd love to make it in one of those cut aprons!
Wow, that mousse dessert looks fabulous and is definitely something I'll be trying!
*The aprons are simply adorable too!*
Have a great time in CA. I'm a little bit jealous. All those headliners! Including you.
C'est magnifique !!!
Your blog is so fabulous...
Have a wonderful time in SF - and I hope my husband never sees this post, because he'll be expecting me to leave him mousse....
Love the triple layer mousse...now I have to get glass ramekins. Love the aprons too.
I so wish i could go to blogher, although at this point my only friends in the food bloging world were my friends before as well. Your speech sounds wonderful, I am sure everyone will enjoy it. have a blast, I know you will.
-Robin
Ooo! I love the turquoise apron... the black and white is very cute too!
Have a great trip! Can't wait to make these!
Whoa! Your blog comments exploded!
I'm going to have to try this mousse, I made the mascarpone mousse the other day though and it didn't work, I think I let the egg yolks cook when I was mixing. Arg!
I love aprons! I have some made by my grandmother including a child-sized one she made for me about 40 years ago! I'd love to add one of these to the collection.
I hope your trip is as wonderful as those desserts look! Have a lovely time~
Great blog! And those aprons are adorable!
Bonjour! I just got a new roommate 3 weeks ago - he's from Paris and he asked me where to buy ramkins for a dessert he wants to make, but I haven't found any to his liking yet. Do you have any suggestions of good places to get them? I always see such beautiful ones on your blog! (PS, the aprons are awesome!) Merci beaucoup!
Your blog makes my thighs AND eyes grow.
It's to freaking pretty!
OMG! I'm glad it's impossible to gain weight from "looking" at food photos. My sweet tooth is drooling at your pics.
Looking forward to meeting you in San Fran!
--Rachelle
aka @Travelblggr
love the cute aprons! have a blast on your trip... ok ill admit it... im a little jelous!
The mousse looks so perfect. I definitely feel inspired.
Love anything with salted butter!
Those aprons are so cute! I don't own an apron but have lately been on the search for a cute one.
cute aprons!
The mousse and the aprons look great! Have a good trip.
these look divine!
Wish I could attend BlogHer, too! Have a great time!
I just followed a link from Dee (Pioneer Woman) and hopefully my day will now be doubly-lucky!
Have a great time at the conference!
What lovely aprons and lovely mousse, too!
Jennifer
Your photos are amazing! I wish I had the technique you do! Also, can you teach me how to make French macarons!?
I love making your deserts, thank you so much for sharing them with everyone! The aprons are adorable!
Send A Philly gal one of those uber hip aprons! :)
Those little cups of mousse look delicious! I love the giveaway you are hosting, my fingers are crossed:)
Your mouse and the aprons are adorable!
Have a great time in San Francisco!
have fun in the bay area! go to chez pannise.
Oh, my, these aprons are the sweetest thing!
Thank you for the giveaway!
Have a great time in SF! I'm not a bit envious (yeah, right). These aprons are precious.
mmm...mousse!
Everyone loves aprons. And caramel mousse.
crossing my apron stringsXX
That mousse looks delicious...and with salted butter caramel...you really do know what's best! I'm also loving those aprons
how exciting!
Adorable aprons, AND yummy stuff. I <3 reading your blog!
Beautiful is the word that's coming to my mind!!!
The aprons are really pretty as well!
Love these! So cute!
I've been racking my brains all week as to what to make for dessert on Sunday - these are just what I need. Enjoy SF.
Your photos are beautiful and recipes sound divine...now if I only had the time. :)
Cute Aprons!
That mousse looks amazing! I can't wait to try it. Those aprons are awesome. I think I just might have to check out the website! Have fun at BlogHer!
Hey Helen,
As always gorgeous presentation! :)
Btw, where in the US (I am in New York) can I buy the Greengate spoons? They are soooo lovely!!! I tried online but most of the retailers are in Europe!
Thanks
Asha
Those layers in that mousse are gorgeous! I need some sweet little bowls like that.
And- Squee! Lovely aprons!
These look heavenly!!!
the recipe sounds great!!!!!! It's definatly a must try! I love all of your mouse.. keep them coming!!!
great giveaway idea... you're right about those aprons being adorable!
omg that looks TOO GOOD :o **drools**
Thanks for the giveaway! Have fun in SF!
Wow, these aprons almost look too pretty to use!!
Wow, those aprons are rad. And I suddenly have a craving for salted caramel. Hmm. Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!
I love your blog! It makes me want to stay home all day and recreate what you've done!
What a beautiful dessert! And the apron is gorgeous, too!
Helen, have a wonderful time with your friends, and I'm sure Bill will not be hungry with your scrumptious little surprises left in the fridge.!!!
What cute aprons! So modern and chic! I'd love to win one.
I love those aprons, especially the blue one! Fingers crossed!
The mousse looks amazing....I wish I could eat eggs and milk
adorable aprons! love the pink sorbet.
That mousse looks amazing. I want to buy little glasses especially for this recipe! I copied it!! And I'd love to ge included in the giveaway.
Oh. my. gosh. this dessert looks absolutely delicious! I have to have one now even though it is 10:20 PM and I don't have half of the ingredients in my house...
I am hoping to finally meet you at BlogHer Food. Several years ago you were kind enough to do a recipe testing for my book, The World Is a Kitchen. So many food bloggers participated in that endeavor, and most I only know through the internet. Your, and their, generosity overwhelmed me and I still carry that joy in my heart. Getting to meet such generous people like you will be wonderful. I hope to be able to say hello and thank you, in person.
Susan Brady, aka Mrs B from Eating Suburbia
Beautiful..as always!
Congrats on speaking at the BlogHer conference. They couldn't have picked a better speaker. Let me know if you want any tips for where to eat in SF.
Those aprons are adorable, but I'm absolutely in love with that mousse.
You're wonderful! Your hubby is such a lucky man!
Aprons are beautiful as is everything you make. When can we order/pre-order your cookbook???
Definitely adorable!
The mousse is so beautiful!!! The layers look perfect, and I'm sure the combination of salted caramel and chocolate is amazing. I love those aprons too!
I find your blog the most compelling off all the baking blogs. I absolutely love reading your written words and learning new techniques/recipes. I also love those aprons.
I absolutely love your baking blog; it's by far the most compelling of all the baking forums I've read. I also love your attention to detail, your technique, and above all your recipes. I also love the aprons.
Your culinary creations never cease to make my mouth water - I can't wait to see each new one!
Looks fantastic! I'm taking this one with me on vacation to wow my DH...wish me luck!
The aprons look BEAUTIFUL!
Absolutely love this website. I have learned so much from reading it. Have a wonderful time on your trip!
Adorable aprons!
I hope everyone has a great time at the BlogHer conference this weekend. It promises to be an incredible weekend... :-)
I want that! (Do I mean the mousse or the apron? BOTH)
Those are beautiful!!! And the mousse looks YUMMY! I was on Whisk Kid then popped over to Jens site and then found you from Whisk Kid.
Glad I stopped by!
SF has a ton of great presenters today!
Mmm! This looks so delicious. Salted caramel is a favorite of mine.
Those aprons are like the cutest things in the world! My sister recently got me one in Japan which I love!
What!? Helen, you are in San Francisco now?
I wasn't aware of this conference and looks like the registration is over already, but I would love to meet you in person if you have time. You have no idea how much inspirations I get from your site!
wow helen! i am so happy for you and proud of you!!! i wish the conference was in ny but you must be speakingtoday, maybe even RIGHT NOW!!! hooray for you helen, you deserve it!!
love your photography and recipe! :)
Again, your food looks absolutely delectable. And the aprons are very pretty. Thank you for the giveaway!
Love, love, love your blog! Planning to work on macarons during some time off this fall (around the demands of a newborn). These aprons are gorgeous!
Congrats! I hope you have a fantastic time in SF and be sure to tell us all about it!
And thank you for the giveaway opportunity. The "a la Mode" aprons are adorable. I just can't decide between black and avocado though!
I love your blog and can't wait to try the Vanilla,Salted Butter Caramel and Chocolate Mousse .
Beth
I will be making these in the near future.
I joined the Daring Baker's challenge after seeing all of your lovely creations. I have nowhere near your level of talent, but I am trying my best to get there one day. Anyway, keep it up - you're amazing! :-) Valerie (vwoods2008 AT gmail DOT com)
That recipe looks amazing... and the aprons are cute too! Have a great time at the conference - sounds like fun :)
Maravilhosa mousse e lindo avental! :))
The aprons are so pretty! And the mousse looks delicious.
Oh man - you had me at salted caramel. Nom!
I would just like to say that I frequent literally dozens of food blogs and the photography on yours is some of the best I've seen! Not to mention your recipes are always wonderful and I love to try them :D
I love seeing all of your creations and desserts. I am a pastry chef too and it is always fun to see what others are making and creating.
Love that mousse but those aprons are adorable!!! I would love to be the winner of one of those!
I love your macaron recipes. They're inspiring!
I wish I could be at that conference in my most favorite city! Congrats to you. I would so love to hear you speak.
The aprons are adorable. I now am crossing my fingers.
mantab uey.,.,.,.,.:) :)
Thanks for the delicious and creative recipes. I'll definitely be making this recipe soon:)
San Francisco is my all time favorite city! I hope you have a great time on the west coast!
Hoping you a safe trip and much fun. I'd also love to have an apron.
darlabeck(at)yahoo(dot)com
The aprons are beautiful!
I think my little boy would LOVE mousse! Should I make him some and set him on the same path as your Bill's mother set him?! HA.
what a "sweet" wife you are! the mousse looks amazing! ;-)
Very excited for you! Wish I could be there also :) That mousse just looks ridiculously good. I might have to make it for my B one day :)
yolks for the mousse, whites for the macarons! guess i'll just have to make both :) have a wonderful time in california!
Dear Tartlette-
As a fellow Daring Baker, I feel that you simply MUST come to SW Virginia immediately after the conference and make these for me.
I insist. Yupyup.
ooh ooh me!
Oh, the mousse looks SO delicious, I'll definitely have to try that :)
And the aprons are super-cute! I'd love to win one.
That mouse looks divine! I may need to try that! The apron are very cute, would love one of those too!
oh, those aprons are beautiful!!
What great aprons! I would love the Avocado a la mode or Cherry Me!
i like them alot.. i hope i can have one of your oprons..
oh, those look absolutely delicious. i must try them out once i am better again..
Wow. I want an apron in every color and style... I do know, however, that I'll be purchasing these as my bridesmaid gifts! So adorable... and the mousse will be made tonight for dessert. My fiance' will be so delighted! Thank you as always!
cute aprons! hope I win one :)
first up, love your blog! my mom is a huge apron wearer and always harasses me for not wearing one in the kitchen, I would love one of these for her. thanks!
I am COMPLETELY in love with these aprons! I want one so bad!
I just love these aprons! So cute and I am sure just as functional!
I love these aprons! So cute and just as functional!
This post has so many of my favourite things: SF, salted butter caramel, vanilla and chocolate!
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