One of the most interesting and delicious desserts, you’ll ever make is my Pomegranate Mousse Cake. It has a few more steps than most of my recipes, but it’s well worth the effort and is a guaranteed show stopper!
Named by Huffington Post as one of the Best Dessert Recipes of all Time
**updated from original post shared on June 27, 2010.
I had already decided to make a cake, but I wanted it to be a little different than the usual layer cake.
As I looked through my countless cookbooks, I finally found my inspiration In Baking by James Peterson. It wasn’t a particular recipe that caught my eye, but a mixture of a few recipes. After working through the process, I adjusted and combined three recipes to make my Ultimate Pomegranate Mousse Cake!
How do I Make a Pomegranate Mousse Cake?
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make the yellow cake.
*Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two 9 inch cake pans.
Mix the flour, baking powder and salt together, making sure they are well blended. Set aside till needed.
- Cream butter and ¾ cup of sugar with the paddle attachment of your mixer. After the butter has softened replace the paddle with the whip attachment, and continue mixing for about 5 minutes.
- Whisk in the egg yolks one at a time until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the milk and vanilla, to the mixing bowl and mix just enough to blend.
- Add the flour mixture, ½ cup at a time. Don’t over mix! Transfer this all to a larger bowl.
- Whip egg whites and cream of tartar in your mixer for about 3 minutes until soft peaks form. Add the remaining sugar and continue to whip for about 2 minutes until medium peaks form.
- Add egg white mixture to butter mixture ¼ at a time, fold in with a rubber spatula, Fully incorporating before adding more, repeat process until all your egg whites have been folded in.
- Spread batter into your cake pans dividing evenly, and smooth it out with a spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes in a conventional oven, or until the cake bounces back to the touch, or a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Let the layers cool for 5 minutes then turn out onto a cake rack.
*While the Cake is Baking Make the Pomegranate Curd and Mousse
How do I make pomegranate curd?
- Place the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, pomegranate reduction and lemon zest into a heatproof bowl that fits over a saucepan and whisk until well blended(not over the saucepan).
- When the first step is completed, place the bowl over a saucepan with an inch of simmering water in it, as the mixture begins to get warm add the butter a little at a time, and whisk the mixture until it thickens. This will take about 5-7 minutes, make sure not to let the mixture boil!
- Allow mixture to cool, until needed
How do I make Pomegranate Mousse?
- Whip your cream to medium peaks, adding the sugar as it begins to thicken. Refrigerate until needed.
- Place the gelatin and water in a small bowl and let it sit for about 10 minutes, or until it has absorbed all the water
- Stir the softened gelatin with a fork to get rid of any lumps. Then place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until the gelatin dissolves completely.
- Add the gelatin mixture to the curd. The curd must be warm for it to mix in properly ( you may have to warm up the pomegranate curd if it has cooled too much). it should be warm to add your gelatin mixture into it. Whisk the mixture until it has been well blended. Once finished, set aside and allow to get to room temperature.
- Fold (by hand) the whipped cream into the room temperature curd mixture, mix just enough to blend, do not over mix or use an electric mixer. This will cause the mousse to break!!
*Refrigerate until needed.
- Take your cooled cake and split each layer into 2 sections, this will give you 4 layers.
- After splitting the layers brush the cut side with pomegranate syrup.
- After you have brushed on the pomegranate syrup, spread an even layer of mousse on top of the cake, using a spatula or knife to make it level to the edges.
- Add the next layer with the cut layer up and repeat the process for the next two layers.
- For the final layer place the baked side up. There is no need to brush this layer.
- Place this into the refrigerator to chill while you make the topping for the cake.
How do I make the topping for the pomegranate mousse cake?
- Add the pomegranate juice and pomegranate liquor (optional) to a small bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over the liquid and let stand 1 minute to soften gelatin.
- Transfer the liquid to a small saucepan. Add the sugar and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved.
- Pour the mixture into a bowl and set the bowl into an ice and water bath, stirring the mixture gently until it is cold and slightly thickened but not yet set.
- Stir in pomegranate seeds and spoon the topping onto the top layer of the chilled mousse cake
- Place the cake back into the refrigerator for at least one hour, to finish setting up.
*This cake can be made a day ahead of time in the refrigerator before serving.
I picked up a fresh Pomegranate and prepared the arils to use in the cake topping. If you can’t find fresh pomegranates, you can find Pomegranate Fresh Arils (Pom Poms Wonderful) at most grocery stores.
Kitchen tools I use for my cakes
- offset spatula (essential for bakers)
- 9-inch USA Pan Bakeware cake pans
- 9-inch parchment cake circles
- silicone spatulas
- wire whisk
- mixing bowls
More Cake Recipes You’ll Love!
Pomegranate Mousse Cake
Named as one of Huffington Posts Best Desserts of all time, my Pomegranate Mousse Cake with pomegranate mousse between each layer and topped with pomegranate seeds in a pomegranate glaze is the Ultimate Cake!
Servings: 16 slices
Calories: 472kcal
Ingredients
Yellow Cake
- 2¼ cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks) room temperature
- 1½ cup sugar
- 3 large eggs separated
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar
Pomegranate Curd
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest finely grated
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¾ cup pomegranate reduction reduce 32 ounces of pomegranate juice to 10 ounces over medium high heat.
Pomegranate Mousse
- 4½ teaspoons unflavored gelatin 1½ packets
- ¼ cup water
- 3 cups pomegranate curd
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Pomegranate Topping
- 6 ounces pomegranate juice
- 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
- 1 ounce pomegranate liquor optional – can be easily ommitted, use 1 ounce more pomegranate juice in its place
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- seeds from one pomegrante or Fresh Arils (refrigerated in a cup at grocery store)
Instructions
Yellow Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two 9 inch cake pans.
- Mix the flour, baking powder and salt together, making sure they are well blended. Set aside till needed.
- Cream butter and ¾ cup of sugar with the paddle attachment of your mixer. After the butter has softened replace the paddle with the whip attachment, and continue mixing for about 5 minutes.
- Whisk in the egg yolks one at a time until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the milk and vanilla, to the mixing bowl and mix just enough to blend.
- Add the flour mixture, ½ cup at a time. Don’t over mix! Transfer this all to a larger bowl
- Whip egg whites and cream of tartar in your mixer for about 3 minutes until soft peaks form. Add the remaining sugar and continue to whip for about 2 minutes until medium peaks form.
- Add egg white mixture to butter mixture ¼ at a time, fold in with a rubber spatula, Fully incorporating before adding more, repeat process until all your egg whites have been folded in.
- Spread batter into your cake pans dividing evenly, and smooth it out with a spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes in a conventional oven, or until the cake bounces back to the touch, or a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes then turn out onto a cake rack
Pomegranate Curd
- Place the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, pomegranate reduction and lemon zest into a heatproof bowl that fits over a saucepan and whisk until well blended(not over the saucepan).
- When the first step is completed, place the bowl over a saucepan with an inch of simmering water in it, as the mixture begins to get warm add the butter a little at a time, and whisk the mixture until it thickens. This will take about 5-7 minutes, make sure not to let the mixture boil!
- Allow mixture to cool, until needed
Pomegranate Mousse
- Whip your cream to medium peaks, adding the sugar as it begins to thicken. Refrigerate until needed
- Place the gelatin and water in a small bowl and let it sit for about 10 minutes, or until it has absorbed all the water
- Stir the softened gelatin with a fork to get rid of any lumps. Then place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until the gelatin dissolves completely.
- Add the gelatin mixture to the curd. The curd must be warm for it to mix in properly ( you may have to warm up the pomegranate curd if it has cooled too much). it should be warm to add your gelatin mixture into it. Whisk the mixture until it has been well blended. Once finished, set aside and allow to get to room temperature.
- Fold (by hand) the whipped cream into the room temperature curd mixture, mix just enough to blend, do not over mix or use an electric mixer. This will cause the mousse to break!!*Refrigerate until needed.
Assembly
- Take your cooled cake and split each layer into 2 sections, this will give you 4 layers.
- Begin with the first layer, After splitting the layers brush the cut side with pomegranate syrup.
- After you have brushed on the pomegranate syrup, spread an even layer of mousse on top of the cake, using a spatula or knife to make it level to the edges.
- Add the next layer with the cut layer up and repeat the process for the next two layers.
- For the final layer place the baked side up. There is no need to brush this layer.Place the cake into the refrigerator to chill while you make the topping for the cake.
Pomegranate Topping
- Add the pomegranate juice and pomegranate liquor (optional) to a small bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over the liquid and let stand 1 minute to soften gelatin.
- Transfer the liquid to a small saucepan. Add the sugar and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved
- Pour the mixture into a bowl and set the bowl into an ice and water bath, stirring the mixture gently until it is cold and slightly thickened but not yet set.
- Stir in pomegranate seeds and spoon the topping onto the top layer of the chilled mousse cake
- Place the cake back into the refrigerator for at least one hour, to finish setting up.*This cake can be made a day ahead of time in the refrigerator before serving.
Notes
***you can use chamboard or any berry liqour if you can’t find pomegranate liqour. You can also eliminate the liqour completely. Just add another ounce of pomegranate juice to replace the liqour.
Nutrition
Calories: 472kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 151mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 910IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 1mg
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Natalie
Beautiful cake. I absolutely love the freshness from pomegranate.
Sangita
What a beautiful looking cake. And delicious as well…
Addie
This cake is stunning! So yummy too!
Swathi
Pomegranate mousse cake looks yum.
Nora | Vividly Christmas
This looks so delicious! Have to try this out soon! Thanks for sharing!
Jere Cassidy
We love pomegranates and have never had it in a mousse or curd form with just sound amazing, pinning to make for the holidays.
Freya
This sounds and looks delicious
Sloan
I love pomegranates! Such a unique idea using them to make a mousse!
michele
What a beautiful cake – the colour of the pomegranates are incredible! Perfect for a special occasion.
Farrukh Aziz
I’ve been craving dessert, and I really need to try this out! I have all the ingredients in my pantry which is great! Can’t wait to try this out!
Amy
Love pomegranate and mousse. What a great combo!
Sharlene
My cakes didn’t rise either. My baking powder was new and I checked and triple checked the recipe. Is it possible there was supposed to be baking soda in the recipe? The pomegranate curd and mousse are both heavenly, however.
Anne
Hi Dennis,
In your notes above the recipe, you indicate that the pomegranate reduction is 32oz of pom juice reduced to 10oz and then add 2oz of liquor. The recipe, as written, refers to pom reduction as 32oz reduced to 10oz but doesn’t mention the liquor. Is it correct to add the 2oz liquor to the 10oz reduced pom juice before using it in the recipe?
Thanks!
Chef Dennis Littley
hi Anne
yes add the liquor after you’ve done the reduction.
Lori Simmons
Why did my cakes not rise😭 I did sub baking soda/ cream of tartar for the baking powder but followed the recipe as written otherwise
My layers are tasty but just under 2 cm tall
Chef Dennis Littley
hi Lori
The only reason I can think they didn’t rise was the age of the baking soda or cream of tartar or the amounts used. I know they can be used as a substitute for baking powder but I have never used them as a replacement.
Candace Levy
Any chance this whole cake could be made a day in advance? If not, how many hours in the fridge after fully assembled can I get away with? Thanks! Looking forward to making it this weekend!
Chef Dennis Littley
sure you can easily make this a day before
Candace
I made this cake yesterday…. it was phenomenal. The sweet, tart pomegranate topping is so delicious that it could be used as a topping to a cheesecake… the crunch of the seeds adds a fun element to the cake as well.
Instead of using the yellow cake… I used vanilla cake mix and added pistachio pudding to it. I also swapped out the lemon for orange peel and orange juice for the custard. Also, for the pomegranate topping I also added Triple Sec liquor instead of the liquor it called for.
Those changes made for an unforgettable cake. It took longer to make… but well worth the effort. I will be making this again.
anna
Hi chef,
good recipe, but someone uses your photo 🙁
Chef Dennis Littley
Thanks for letting me know Anna.
Farbod
thanks , I ake this dessert it’s so delicious , it was a good experience for me
Max Mautner
Thank you!
Stacy
Chef
I tried to make this but has a few problems …
1. My cakes didn’t rise. Made two batches and it was the same with both. But, on a bright note I was left with four flat cakes so I had the right amount of layers!
2. My mousse was too thin. Turns out it would have done much better had I chilled it first. So,next time I will have to do that.
Everything tasted delicious during the process and we will eat it for thanksgiving. Can’t wait!
Chef Dennis Littley
hi Stacy
sorry to hear about your cake, you may want to check your baking powder to make sure its not too old. I can’t think of any other reasons that the cake didn’t rise. As for the mousse, make sure the whipped cream is nice and thick, as well as the curd. If those are properly thickened the gelatin should finish thickening the mousse.
hope your Thanksgiving was happy!
houngandave
Actually, while the cake looks and seems great, I have a problem here – you left out ingredients in your list on some recipes, at least on the ones using pomegranates. In the curd recipe, you left outthe lliquor, the seeds in the glaze – at least some general amount would be handy, and the drink looks like you added milk or cream (if you didn’t, it would help if you mentioned the best way to get the layer effect for us klutzes out there). If you would check and correct the recipes, it would be helpful. I would have more confidence in the complete presentation if you confirmed nothing else was missing, like from the cake recipe, for example.
Chef D
hi
thanks for stopping by and pointing out I left out the seeds from the glaze, it is the seeds of one pomegranate. As for the others there is no liquor in the curd, the liquor is in the Pom reduction and the amounts are as stated. There is no dairy in the drink, its simply as stated in the recipe. Other than the amount of pomegranate seeds there is nothing missing from the recipes.
have a nice day.
Dennis