Chocolate Strawberry Mousse

Ingredients

• For the chocolate base layer:
• 7 ounces (about 1 1/4 cups) Ghirardelli Bittersweet 60% Cacao Baking Chips
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3 large eggs, separated
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• For the strawberry mousse layer:
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 packet (.25 ounces) powdered gelatin
• 1 cup milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 4 ounces (approx. 5 or 6 large berries) fresh strawberries, hulled and finely chopped or pureed
• 2 tablespoons strawberry preserves
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• Drop of pink food coloring (optional)
• For the garnishes:
• 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 2 ounces Ghirardelli White Chocolate Baking Bar, chopped
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped softly with 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 9 Ghirardelli Strawberry Bark SQUARES