Light & Fluffy Pumpkin Mousse

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1 hour 15 minutes

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This light and fluffy Pumpkin Mousse is filled with warm pumpkin spice flavor that makes every bite taste like fall. Made with just a few simple ingredients, it’s the kind of no-bake treat that gets everyone excited for pumpkin season.

A small white dish filled with pumpkin mousse, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, with a gold spoon on the side.
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Easy Pumpkin Mousse Recipe

Once fall arrives, I find myself craving pumpkin everything, and this light and airy pumpkin mousse is a treat I look forward to most. It has all the warm, cozy flavors of pumpkin pie without having to roll out crust or heat up the oven.

During the busy holiday season, I love that it can be made ahead and chilled until serving. Whether you spoon it into jars or keep it simple in a big bowl, it’s festive, delicious, and perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to Thanksgiving feasts.

If you love this mousse, you’ll definitely want to try my No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake too. It has the same pumpkin spice flavor but with a rich, creamy cheesecake base.

A white dish filled with creamy pumpkin mousse topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon, next to a gold spoon on a marble surface.

Why We Love This Recipe

  • It tastes like pumpkin pie in mousse form but with a creamier and lighter texture.
  • No bake desserts are lifesavers during the holidays when oven space is tight.
  • It’s festive enough for a Thanksgiving dessert yet simple enough for a weeknight treat.

Ingredients

Various ingredients in bowls and cups on a white surface, including Cool Whip, cream cheese, pumpkin puree, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.
  • Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese creates a smooth, creamy base
  • Sugar: Sweetens the mousse without overpowering the pumpkin spice
  • Pumpkin pie spice: Brings in the classic fall flavors
  • Pumpkin purée: Gives the mousse its pumpkin flavor and beautiful color
  • Cool Whip: Keeps the mousse fluffy and light
  • Vanilla: Adds depth and warmth
  • Extra Cool Whip: Perfect for topping before serving
  • Ground cinnamon: A simple garnish

How To Make The Best Pumpkin Mousse Dessert

Step 1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.

Step 2. Mix in the pumpkin puree until the color is even and everything is fully combined. Scrape down the bowl as needed.

A glass bowl containing cream cheese, pumpkin puree, sugar, and spices with a bowl of whipped topping and a small dish of cinnamon nearby.
A glass bowl with pumpkin pie filling being mixed with a spatula, next to a bowl of Cool Whip and a small dish of cinnamon.

Step 3. Gently fold the Cool Whip into the pumpkin mixture with a spatula, keeping the mixture light and fluffy.

Step 4. Spoon the mousse into jars or a large serving bowl.

A glass bowl containing a mixture of pumpkin puree and whipped topping with a spatula, with a small bowl of cinnamon nearby on a white surface.
A glass bowl filled with thick, light orange whipped mixture being mixed with a spatula on a white marble surface.

Step 5. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Step 6. Top the whipped topping and a sprinkle of cinnamon just before serving. You can add a few drops of vanilla to the whipped topping to give it more flavor.

Storage Instructions

You can cover and refrigerate this mousse up to 3 days. Wait to add the toppings just before serving. I don’t recommend freezing it because the texture does not hold up well.

A white scalloped bowl filled with creamy pumpkin mousse topped with a sprinkle of brown spice, next to a gold spoon on a white surface.

Tips And Tricks

With these little tricks, your pumpkin mousse will turn out smooth, fluffy, and full of cozy flavor every time.

  • Soften the cream cheese fully. Cold cream cheese won’t blend smoothly and can leave tiny lumps.
  • Make sure to use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling already has sugar and spices, which will throw off the flavor.
  • Fold gently. Stirring too hard will deflate the fluffy texture of the mousse.
  • Chill before serving. At least an hour in the fridge helps the mousse set and develop flavor.
  • You’ll definitely want an electric mixer for this. You can use either a stand mixer or hand mixer…you just need the power to whip it up light and airy.
Three small dishes of pumpkin mousse topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon, placed on a white surface with a red napkin and gold spoon nearby.

Variations And Add-ins

A few easy tweaks can give your pumpkin mousse a whole new spin, whether you want more crunch, chocolate, or a whole new twist.

  • Gingersnap crumble: Add crushed gingersnaps at the bottom of each jar for crunch.
  • Pumpkin mousse pie: Spoon the mousse into a graham cracker pie crust and chill for a simple no bake pie.
  • Chocolate twist: Swirl in melted chocolate or layer with brownie pieces for a richer fall dessert.
  • Maple flavor: Replace some of the sugar with maple syrup for a cozy fall sweetness.
  • Nutty topping: Sprinkle pecans, walnuts, or almonds on top before serving.
  • Parfait style: Alternate mousse with whipped cream or granola layers for a fall breakfast treat.
  • Holiday trifle: Layer mousse with cake cubes and whipped cream in a trifle dish for a show-stopping centerpiece.
  • Spices: Add extra cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a pinch of ginger for a stronger spice flavor.

FAQs

Can I make pumpkin mousse a day ahead?

Yes, it actually improves after chilling overnight. Just hold off on adding toppings until right before serving.

Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

Absolutely. Use about 2 cups of heavy whipping cream whipped with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Make sure the heavy cream is cold for best results.

Can I add layers to this pumpkin dessert recipe to make it more decorative?

Yes, try crushed graham crackers or cookies (ginger snaps taste great), granola, or cake pieces for a trifle-style presentation.

A spoonful of whipped pumpkin mousse with a light, airy texture, held above a bowl with more mousse and an orange ingredient in the background.

More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes

A white bowl filled with light orange pumpkin mousse, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, on a white surface with a gold spoon.
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Light and Fluffy Pumpkin Mousse


Course Desserts & Sweets, Holidays, Sweets
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Light, airy, and full of pumpkin spice, this easy no-bake Pumpkin Mousse is the perfect way to celebrate fall.

Equipment

  • Hand mixer (or stand mixer)
  • Mixing bowls (at least 2)
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Serving dishes or dessert jars

Ingredients
 

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 1/2 cups pure 100% pumpkin puree
  • 4 cups Cool Whip thawed
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • Ground cinnamon optional

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
    8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • Mix in the pumpkin puree until the color is even and everything is fully combined. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
    1 1/2 cups pure 100% pumpkin puree
  • Gently fold the Cool Whip into the pumpkin mixture with a spatula, keeping the mixture light and fluffy.
    4 cups Cool Whip
  • Spoon the mousse into jars or a large serving bowl.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
  • Top the whipped topping and a sprinkle of cinnamon just before serving. You can add a few drops of vanilla to the whipped topping to give it more flavor.
    Ground cinnamon

Notes

  • Soften the cream cheese fully. Cold cream cheese won’t blend smoothly and can leave tiny lumps.
  • Make sure to use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling already has sugar and spices, which will throw off the flavor.
  • Fold gently. Stirring too hard will deflate the fluffy texture of the mousse.
  • Chill before serving. At least an hour in the fridge helps the mousse set and develop flavor.
  • An electric mixer is a must. Whether it’s a stand mixer or a hand mixer, you need the strength to whip the mixture light and airy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 178mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 7597IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 1mg
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used.

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    About Lisa O’Driscoll

    Lisa O’Driscoll is a lifestyle and parenting expert, cookbook author, and the creative force behind Fun Money Mom, a popular blog she’s Lisa O’Driscoll is a lifestyle and parenting expert, cookbook author, and the creative force behind Fun Money Mom, a popular blog she’s run since 2014. She’s the author of the children’s cookbook Roll It, Slice It, Mash It, Dice It, designed to get kids excited about cooking. With multiple TV appearances under her belt, she loves sharing her expertise on family-friendly recipes, creative DIYs, and party planning and is always on a mission to inspire and entertain!

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