Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Make the Mousse
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
