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Creamy pumpkin mousse topped with whipped cream, pepitas, and cinnamon in a glass mug.
Daniel

Pumpkin Mousse

Silky, cloud-light pumpkin mousse with warm spices and a whisper of maple - no baking required.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280

Ingredients
  

For the Mousse
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream very cold
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar sifted
  • 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp ground ginger
  • 0.125 tsp ground nutmeg freshly grated if possible
  • 0.125 tsp fine sea salt
For Garnish
  • 0.5 cup whipped cream optional
  • 2 tbsp crystallized ginger finely chopped, optional

Equipment

  • Electric Mixer or Stand Mixer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Medium Bowl
  • Rubber spatula
  • Serving glasses or ramekins

Method
 

Make the Mousse
  1. In a large bowl, beat the cold heavy cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. The cream should hold its shape but still curl at the tip when you lift the beaters. Do not overbeat or it will become grainy.
  2. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt until completely smooth and no lumps remain, about 1 minute.
  3. Take about one cup of the whipped cream and fold it vigorously into the pumpkin mixture to lighten it. This step is crucial - it prevents the remaining cream from deflating when you combine everything.
  4. Add the lightened pumpkin mixture back to the bowl with the remaining whipped cream. Using a rubber spatula, fold with a gentle figure-eight motion, turning the bowl as you go, until no streaks remain and the mixture is a uniform pale orange. Work quickly but gently to maintain volume.
  5. Divide the mousse among 6 serving glasses or ramekins, filling about three-quarters full. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours, until fully set and chilled through.
  6. Top each mousse with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crystallized ginger just before serving. The mousse should be spoonable and hold its shape on the plate.

Notes

For the lightest texture, chill your mixing bowl and beaters for 15 minutes before whipping the cream. If you only have pumpkin pie filling, reduce the powdered sugar to 3 tablespoons and omit the spices. This mousse can be made a full day ahead and actually improves in flavor as the spices meld.