There’s something truly magical about the flavors of fall, isn’t there? The moment the air turns crisp, my mind immediately goes to warm spices, cozy sweaters, and of course, all things pumpkin. This creamy pumpkin mousse is the perfect way to capture that seasonal magic in a light, fluffy, and utterly delicious dessert. It’s the kind of treat that feels a little bit fancy but is surprisingly simple to whip up, making it ideal for a quiet weeknight indulgence or for impressing guests at your next holiday gathering.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Pumpkin Mousse
- Incredibly Easy: No baking required! Just a bit of mixing and chilling for a dessert that does all the hard work for you.
- Light & Fluffy: It’s a cloud-like dessert that satisfies your pumpkin pie craving without feeling overly heavy.
- Make-Ahead Marvel: Perfect for planning ahead, as it needs time to set in the fridge, making your day-of prep a total breeze.
- Endlessly Customizable: Top it with whipped cream, crushed gingersnaps, or a drizzle of caramel—it’s your canvas!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this autumnal delight. I promise, it’s mostly pantry staples!
- 1 (15 oz) can pure pumpkin puree
- 1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup cold whole milk
- 1 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
- Additional whipped topping and crushed graham crackers or gingersnaps for garnish, optional
How to Make Pumpkin Mousse
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, instant pudding mix, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves until well combined. The spices will make your kitchen smell absolutely amazing already.
- Gradually pour in the cold milk and continue whisking for about 2 minutes. You’ll see the mixture start to thicken up slightly as you whisk.
- Now, gently fold in the thawed whipped topping. Use a spatula and a light hand to combine everything until it’s smooth and there are no streaks. This is what gives the mousse its dreamy, airy texture.
- Divide the mousse evenly among serving dishes—pretty glasses work great for this! Cover them with plastic wrap and pop them in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours, or until set.
- Just before serving, add a dollop of extra whipped topping and a sprinkle of crushed cookies for a little crunch. Then, dig in!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Measuring spoons
- Individual serving glasses or bowls
Tips & Variations for the Best Mousse
This recipe is wonderfully forgiving. If your mousse seems a bit soft after mixing, don’t panic! Chilling time is key—it will firm up perfectly. For a from-scratch version, you can make your own Homemade Whipped Cream to fold in instead of the frozen topping. If you’re serving a crowd, this recipe easily doubles. Feeling adventurous? A swirl of salted caramel sauce takes it to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Serving Suggestions
This mousse is a star on its own, but it also plays well with others! It’s the perfect light dessert after a heavier meal like my One-Pan Creamy Chicken and Rice. For a true fall feast, serve it alongside a cup of hot coffee or spiced apple cider.
Nutrition Information*
*This is an auto-generated estimate per serving.
Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 250mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g
Whenever I make this creamy pumpkin mousse, it instantly disappears. It’s the dessert I bring to potlucks because I know it will be a hit with both kids and adults. It’s a reminder that the best desserts don’t have to be complicated to be completely memorable. I hope this recipe finds its way into your fall rotation and brings a little bit of joy to your table.
Your Pumpkin Mousse Questions, Answered
Can I make this pumpkin mousse ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, I recommend it. You can make this mousse up to 2 days in advance. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Add any crunchy toppings right before serving so they stay nice and crisp.
Can I use homemade pumpkin puree?
You sure can. If you have the time to make your own puree, go for it! Just make sure it’s unsweetened and has a similar thick consistency to the canned variety. If it’s a bit watery, you might want to strain it first so your mousse sets properly.
How should I store leftovers?
Cover the dishes with plastic wrap or transfer the mousse to an airtight container. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. The texture might soften a tiny bit, but it will still taste fantastic.
Is there a way to make this dessert lighter?
For a lighter option, you can use sugar-free instant pudding mix and a light or fat-free whipped topping. The result will still be deliciously creamy and satisfying.
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Creamy Pumpkin Mousse Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Creamy pumpkin mousse A quick easy dessert recipe Perfect light fluffy nobake fall treat Simple ingredients amazing results in minutes
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin puree
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup cold whole milk
- 1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
- Additional whipped topping for garnish (optional)
- Crushed graham crackers or gingersnaps for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, instant pudding mix, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves until well combined.
- Gradually pour in the cold milk and continue whisking for about 2 minutes until the mixture starts to thicken.
- Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping with a spatula until the mixture is smooth and no streaks remain.
- Divide the mousse evenly among serving glasses. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until set.
- Just before serving, garnish with additional whipped topping and crushed cookies if desired.
Notes
A light, fluffy, and easy no-bake pumpkin mousse dessert, perfect for fall. Made with pumpkin puree, warm spices, and whipped topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 servings
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Fat: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g