By Becky Hardin
Published Sep 24, 2023
This Pumpkin Mousse recipe is easy, creamy, and perfect for fall holidays. The fluffy mousse is infused with cheesecake flavor, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice for the most delicious flavor. You only need a few ingredients to make this delightful dessert, and no baking required!
What’s in this Pumpkin Mousse Recipe?
This quick and easy pumpkin mousse will wow your guests with its rich pumpkin flavor and incredibly light texture!
- Cheesecake Instant Pudding Mix: Use this ingredient dry–do not prepare it according to the instructions on the box. Vanilla or white chocolate instant pudding mix will also work, but will be less tangy.
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens the mousse.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice : Adds a warm pumpkin pie flavor.
- Half-and-Half: Adds moisture to help dissolve the pudding mix. You can substitute whole milk for a softer mousse, or heavy cream for a thicker one.
- Pumpkin Puree : Adds rich and earthy pumpkin flavor.
- Whipped Topping : Makes the mousse light and fluffy. Be sure to thaw if frozen before using.
Pro Tip: Make sure to use 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling already includes sugar and spices and will make the pudding too sweet.
Variations on Pumpkin Pie Mousse
There are so many ways to change up this pumpkin mousse. Try adding some cocoa powder or melted chocolate to create a chocolate pumpkin mousse, or swap some of the brown sugar for maple syrup for a maple pumpkin mousse. And add a splash of rum or bourbon for a boozy take!
This mousse is made from pantry staples, like cheesecake pudding mix, brown sugar, pie spice, and canned pumpkin puree. Add some fresh half-and-half and whipped topping, and you’ve got one tasty mousse!
Nope! Unlike pudding, mousse is not cooked and is served chilled.
Yes, but you will need more sugar! Whip 8 ounces (1 brick) of cream cheese with 1 cup of brown sugar and the pumpkin pie spice until light and fluffy, then add the pumpkin puree and fold in the whipped topping.
How to Store
To store pumpkin pie mousse, spoon it into individual glass serving dishes or a large serving bowl, and cover it tightly with plastic wrap or an airtight lid. Keep it refrigerated for 2-3 days to maintain its freshness.
Freezing is not recommended as it will likely affect the texture negatively.
Serving Suggestions
Top this tasty pumpkin mousse with whipped cream (or pumpkin spice whipped cream !) and baked pie crust pieces, crumbled graham crackers or gingersnaps , crushed nuts, or chocolate chips! Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup or caramel sauce to take it to the next level.
You can also turn this mousse into a parfait by layering with pie pieces or cookies, or spoon it into a prepared pie crust to create a mousse pie.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 6.8 ounces cheesecake instant pudding mix 193 grams (2 (3.4-ounce) boxes)
- ▢ ¼ cup brown sugar 52 grams
- ▢ 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 5 grams, plus more for garnish
- ▢ 1 cup half-and-half 227 grams
- ▢ 15 ounces pumpkin puree 425 grams (1 can) — not pumpkin pie filling!
- ▢ 8 ounces whipped topping 227 grams, thawed if frozen and divided (1 tub)
Video
Instructions
- Whisk the pudding mix, light brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice together in a large mixing bowl until well combined. 6.8 ounces cheesecake instant pudding mix, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- Add in the half-and-half and pumpkin puree and beat with a hand mixer until combined. Be sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula several times so that everything is evenly incorporated. 1 cup half-and-half, 15 ounces pumpkin puree
- Gently fold in 2 cups of the whipped topping and set the rest aside for now. 8 ounces whipped topping
- Spoon the mousse into eight 4-ounce glass serving dishes or one large serving bowl and cover well with plastic wrap.
- Allow the mousse to chill for 15-30 minutes.
- Use a piping bag and star piping tip to pipe the remaining whipped topping onto the top of the mousse.
- Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice, optional, and serve.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Hand Mixer
- Piping Tip Set
Becky’s Tips
- Make sure to use 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling already includes sugar and spices and will make the pudding too sweet.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Pumpkin Dessert Recipes We Love
- Pumpkin Caramel Poke Cake
- Pumpkin Ice Cream
- Pumpkin Lasagna
- Frosted Pumpkin Cookies
- Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake
- Pumpkin Bars
- Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Pie
- Plus More Pumpkin Dessert Recipes!
Pumpkin Mousse Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Hand Mixer
- Piping Tip Set
Ingredients
- 6.8 ounces cheesecake instant pudding mix 193 grams (2 (3.4-ounce) boxes)
- ¼ cup brown sugar 52 grams
- 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 5 grams, plus more for garnish
- 1 cup half-and-half 227 grams
- 15 ounces pumpkin puree 425 grams (1 can) – not pumpkin pie filling!
- 8 ounces whipped topping 227 grams, thawed if frozen and divided (1 tub)
Instructions
- Whisk the pudding mix, light brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice together in a large mixing bowl until well combined. 6.8 ounces cheesecake instant pudding mix, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- Add in the half-and-half and pumpkin puree and beat with a hand mixer until combined. Be sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula several times so that everything is evenly incorporated. 1 cup half-and-half, 15 ounces pumpkin puree
- Gently fold in 2 cups of the whipped topping and set the rest aside for now. 8 ounces whipped topping
- Spoon the mousse into eight 4-ounce glass serving dishes or one large serving bowl and cover well with plastic wrap.
- Allow the mousse to chill for 15-30 minutes.
- Use a piping bag and star piping tip to pipe the remaining whipped topping onto the top of the mousse.
- Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice, optional, and serve.
Video
Notes
- Make sure to use 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling already includes sugar and spices and will make the pudding too sweet.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
