If you're a fan of pumpkin spice, you're not going to want to miss out on this easy no-bake Pumpkin Mousse. The light, airy texture paired with real pumpkin and warm spices makes this an easy fall dessert. It's perfect for your Thanksgiving table or a cozy night at home.
I've always been a big fan of traditional mousse, so I knew this pumpkin version was going to be a new favorite. It's like pumpkin cheesecake in a bowl. I love that you only need a handful of ingredients to get started, plus it doesn't take much time at all to make.
You get the fluffy texture of mousse with all those familiar pumpkin pie flavors, without actually making a pie. And did I mention that you don't have to take up any oven space? That's a big win when you're making Thanksgiving dinner.
Be sure to try my Oreo Mousse and this Caramel Mousse for two other super simple options.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese - Makes the mousse rich and creamy and gives it enough structure to hold its shape.
- Heavy cream - Whipped until stiff to give the mousse its light and fluffy texture.
- Powdered sugar - Sweetens the mousse and blends easily into the cream cheese.
- Pumpkin puree - Adds real pumpkin flavor. Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Pumpkin spice - Adds those warm cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove flavors that pair perfectly with pumpkin.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Pumpkin Mousse
Step One: Put the heavy cream in a bowl and whip it using a hand mixer until stiff peaks form. Add it to a different bowl. Whip the cream cheese and sugar until fluffy.
Step Two: Mix in the pumpkin spice and pumpkin puree. Add some of the whipped cream and mix. Fold in the rest of the whipped cream and mix.
Step Three: Spoon or pipe the easy mousse recipe into serving bowls.
Top Tip
For the fluffiest pumpkin mousse, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form before adding it to the pumpkin mixture. Then gently fold in the whipped cream rather than beating it in. This keeps as much air in the mousse as possible.
Substitutions
- Brown sugar - For a deeper molasses flavor, you can replace a small portion of the powdered sugar with brown sugar. Keep in mind that powdered sugar dissolves more easily and helps give the mousse its smooth texture.
- Homemade pumpkin pie spice - If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, use a combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a tiny pinch of cloves.
Variations
- Vanilla extract - Add a splash of vanilla extract for a little extra flavor.
- Cinnamon - Add extra ground cinnamon if you want the warm spices to stand out more.
- Maple - A little maple extract would be an easy way to turn this into a maple pumpkin mousse.
- Chocolate - Top each serving with mini chocolate chips or chocolate shavings.
- Crunch - Sprinkle crushed gingersnaps or graham crackers over the top right before serving.
Try our No Bake Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies for more delicious pumpkin recipes.
Equipment
To make this easy Pumpkin Mousse, you'll need a large mixing bowl, electric hand mixer or stand mixer with a whisk attachment, rubber spatula, and individual serving bowls or glasses. A piping bag is optional if you want to pipe the mousse into the dishes.
Storage
Store leftover Pumpkin Mousse in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days. You can also cover individual serving dishes tightly with plastic wrap.
I don't recommend freezing this mousse because the dairy can separate as it thaws and change the light, creamy texture.
Common Questions
You can serve it straight from individual dessert bowls or glasses with a spoon. For a little crunch, add gingersnap cookies or graham crackers on the side. It's also a fun dip served with Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies.
Yes. This is actually a great make-ahead dessert. Prepare it earlier in the day, cover it, and keep it chilled until you're ready to serve. You can also make it the night before; for the prettiest presentation, wait to add toppings until serving.
Make sure you're using cold heavy whipping cream. A cold mixing bowl and beaters can also help, especially if your kitchen is warm. Continue beating until the cream holds its shape when you lift the beaters, but stop before it becomes grainy.
For garnishes, a dusting of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice is an easy option. You can also add homemade whipped cream, chocolate shavings, mini chocolate chips, chopped pecans, crushed gingersnaps, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
📖 Recipe
Pumpkin Mousse
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 8 oz heavy cream
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- 2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
Instructions
- Whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Transfer to a separate bowl.
- Whip the cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice.
- Add ⅓ of the whipped cream and mix well.
- Slowly fold in the remaining whipped cream.
- Spoon or pipe into small serving bowls.
Nutrition
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