• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ahead of Thyme logo

  • Home
  • About
    • About Me
    • Work With Us
    • Press
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • Food Blogger Business School
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Dessert » Pumpkin Mousse

    Pumpkin Mousse

    Leave a Comment

    60 Shares
    Pin59
    Yum1
    Share
    Tweet
    More
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    This rich, creamy Pumpkin Mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly and requires little experience to whip up. Make this holiday mousse with a little time and a few common ingredients to create pumpkin spiced perfection — and no baking required!

    In fact, you can whip up this delicious dessert in only 15 minutes of prep (plus two hours of chill time) and have it ready to go the moment you’re ready for it. It’s easy to make ahead and freezer-friendly too.

    This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com

    Why You'll Love This Pumpkin Mousse

    • A simple and delicious fall dessert. As the seasons change, the demand for pumpkin spice everything goes up. Why? Because it’s delicious and classic! Add in the creamy richness of cream cheese and whipped cream and you’ve got an irresistible concoction of silky spice on your hands.
    • It doubles as a dip. You can serve this pumpkin puree mousse on its own with a spoon, or as a dip with things like graham crackers, gingersnaps, or teddy graham — adapt it to whatever works for you.
    • It’s easy to make. Making mousse with pumpkin is a lot easier to make than you think! If you haven't made homemade mousse before, then you will be pleasantly surprised. This easy no bake treat comes together in literally minutes with a handful of ingredients before it's ready to be set in the refrigerator.
    • It has the best texture. The melt-in-your-mouth fluffiness of this mousse is thanks to whipped heavy cream, which helps the softer ingredients (like the cream cheese and pumpkin puree) hold a more structured shape. It’s silky smooth yet firm.
    • Great for holiday parties. Pumpkin mousse cups are a crowd favorite and are sure to please guests at any event you make them for! You can also leave it as a family-style serving and take it to potlucks, provided your transit time is low and you have a place to refrigerate it before serving. Don’t anticipate leftovers — this one usually gets devoured quickly!
    This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com

    Ingredient Notes

    To make this easy Pumpkin Mousse, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

    • cream cheese - cream cheese helps give the mousse a silky consistency, but if you’re out, you can swap it with neufchatel cheese, ricotta, or a vegan cream cheese alternative.
    • brown sugar - maple syrup or honey will work best as a 1:1 substitute for brown sugar.
    • pumpkin pie spice - pumpkin pie spice is just a blend of spices, so you can make your own or use a store-bought blend. Cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, clove, and allspice are all you’ll need. 
    • pumpkin puree - you can use homemade pumpkin puree or the grocery store version. Either way, it’s important to note that pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie mix are not the same thing. Pumpkin puree only contains pumpkin, whereas pumpkin pie mix has a different texture and already includes sugar, spices, and other ingredients for pumpkin pie.
    • vanilla extract - vanilla bean paste, though a little harder and more expensive to get your hands on, would amplify the flavors even more in this mousse recipe.
    • heavy cream - you can also use a non-dairy version.
    • sugar
    • whipped cream - optional, for topping. There are several vegan whipped cream alternatives on the market that would work just fine in this recipe like coconut whipped cream or whipped cream made from almond milk.

    You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, and hand mixer.

    Toppings

    Feel free to serve pumpkin mousse in individual cups as is. You can also top them with your favorite toppings. Try:

    • whipped cream and a dusting of pumpkin pie spice
    • crumbled graham crackers or gingersnap cookies
    • whipped cream and sprinkles (customize the colors based on a holiday that you are serving this during)
    This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make the Best Pumpkin Mousse

    1. Beat cheese. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer and beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
    • This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com
    • This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Add sugar and spice. Add brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice and continue to beat until light and fluffy and fully blended together.
    • This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com
    • This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Add pumpkin. Add the pumpkin puree and vanilla and mix until combined.
    • This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com
    • This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Whip cream. In a medium mixing bowl, whip the cream using your hand mixer set on low-medium speed until you form soft peaks, about 1 minute. Add the granulated sugar and set the mixer to high and continue to whip until you reach stiff peaks, about 1 more minute.
    2. Combine. Gently fold the whipping cream mixture into the pumpkin mixture until fully combined with no streaks visible.
    • This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com
    • This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com
    • This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Chill. Transfer the mousse into individual sized serving cups. You can pipe them to make the transfer easier. At this stage, the mousse will be very soft. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the mousse set. If you have time, leave it overnight.
    2. Serve. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice on top.
    • This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com
    • This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Serve

    Pumpkin Mousse is delicious served on its own with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice on top.

    If making this for a holiday dessert spread this fall, here are some other favorite fall desserts to include:

    • Apple Pie
    • Butternut Squash Bread
    • Individual Apple Crisp
    • Baked Apples
    • Pecan Pie
    • Apple Pie Bars

    Storage and Freezing Instructions

    How to Store

    Spoon the pumpkin mousse into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days. It may lose its shape and “flatten” a little over time, so use it or freeze as soon as possible.

    How to Freeze

    Transfer the leftover mousse into an airtight, freezer safe container or freezer bag and store for 2-3 months. To thaw the mousse, just transfer the bag into the refrigerator and let it thaw for several hours (or overnight) until it’s gone back to its original consistency.

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    • Don’t over-whip your whipping cream. You’ll want to pull your whipped cream the moment it’s formed stiff peaks — any longer than that and the milkfat and the solids will start to separate and you’ll be left with very sweet homemade butter and buttermilk. Those things sound good, but won’t make fluffy mousse.
    • Get the timing right. There’s not a lot of downtime in this recipe, and things can fall apart if you spend too much time searching for an ingredient or utensil in between steps. Make sure you set yourself up for success by grabbing everything you need prior to starting the recipe.
    • Make it ahead of time for special occasions. Because this mousse is freezer friendly, it can be made ahead of holiday parties or gatherings! This would be a perfect dessert for a fall birthday, Halloween party, Thanksgiving, or football night. You can also go the extra mile and offer it with themed toppings for the occasion.
    This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com

    More Pumpkin Recipes

    • 20 Best Pumpkin Desserts
    • Pumpkin Bread
    • Pumpkin Pie
    • Mini Pumpkin Pies
    • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Pumpkin Cornbread

    Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

    Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more recipe updates.

    Print

    Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com

    Pumpkin Mousse


    • Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
    • Yield: 4-6 servings
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill.


    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (1 cup)
    • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
    • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (+ more for topping)
    • 1 cup pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 ⅓ cup heavy cream (or whipping cream)
    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • whipped cream (for topping)

    Instructions

    1. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer and beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
    2. Add brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice and continue to beat until light and fluffy and fully blended together.
    3. Add the pumpkin puree and vanilla and mix until combined.
    4. In a medium mixing bowl, whip the cream using your hand mixer set on low-medium speed until you form soft peaks, about 1 minute. Add the granulated sugar and set the mixer to high and continue to whip until you reach stiff peaks, about 1 more minute.
    5. Gently fold the whipping cream mixture into the pumpkin mixture until fully combined with no streaks visible.
    6. Transfer the mousse into individual sized serving cups. You can pipe them to make the transfer easier. At this stage, the mousse will be very soft. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the mousse set. If you have time, leave it overnight.
    7. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice on top.

    Notes

    How to store: Spoon the pumpkin mousse into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days. It may lose its shape and “flatten” a little over time, so use it or freeze as soon as possible.

    How to freeze: Transfer the leftover mousse into an airtight, freezer safe container or freezer bag and store for 2-3 months. To thaw the mousse, just transfer the bag into the refrigerator and let it thaw for several hours (or overnight) until it’s gone back to its original consistency.

    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Chill Time: 2 hours
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: No Bake
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: pumpkin mousse, pumpkin mousse cups, no bake pumpkin mousse,

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    This rich, creamy pumpkin mousse is a fall dessert favorite. It’s beginner-friendly, no bake, and easy to whip up in 15 minutes before ready to chill. | aheadofthyme.com
    Pumpkin Mousse
    60 Shares
    Pin59
    Yum1
    Share
    Tweet
    More
    « Potato Dinner Rolls
    Carrot Pumpkin Soup »

    Stay Updated

    Subscribe now to receive all the latest recipes, tips and news directly to your inbox.
    * indicates required
    How often would you like to receive recipe updates

    Food Blogger Business School | foodbloggerbusinessschool.com

    Food Blogger Business School

    A step-by-step program that teaches food bloggers how to grow and scale their blogs into a full-time business

    in less time and without posting endless content until you burn out.

    LEARN MORE

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome!

    Quick and easy recipes for the everyday home cook, using fresh, seasonal and wholesome ingredients -- from healthy meals to take-out to comfort foods. | aheadofthyme.com

    Hi, we're Sam and Dan! We like to help busy people eat real food that tastes good. Here, you can find hundreds of delicious, quick and easy recipes, using quality and wholesome ingredients. Read more about us

    Stay Updated

    Subscribe now to receive all the latest recipes, tips and news directly to your inbox.
    * indicates required
    How often would you like to receive recipe updates

    Food Blogger Business School | foodbloggerbusinessschool.com

    Food Blogger Business School

    A step-by-step program that teaches food bloggers how to grow and scale their blogs into a full-time business

    in less time and without posting endless content until you burn out.

    LEARN MORE

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About Ahead of Thyme

    Hello and welcome! I'm Sam -- the founder of Ahead of Thyme, where we help busy people eat real food that tastes good. Here, you will find hundreds of delicious, quick and easy recipes, using quality and wholesome ingredients. So stay a while, browse around, and make something tasty for dinner tonight.

    • RSS Feed
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Work with Us
    • Shop
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • Food Blogger Business School
    • Newsletter

    Browse

    • 60+ Easy Dinners
    • 60+ Chicken Recipes
    • 25+ Ground Beef Recipes
    • 40+ Pasta Recipes
    • 50+ Bread Recipes
    • 25+ Air Fryer Recipes
    • Dessert

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

    Copyright © 2023 Ahead of Thyme Incorporated