Pumpkin Mousse Recipe
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These pumpkin mousse cups have the taste and texture of a whipped pumpkin pie. They are so smooth, airy and have just the right amount of pumpkin spice flavor. They are topped with a rum infused, lightly sweetened with whipped cream and dusted with cinnamon for extra pizzazz.
One of my friends, Natalia, brought a pumpkin pie to Thanksgiving dinner one year served with a side of rum infused whipped cream and I just fell in love with the flavor combination. It is a must try for pumpkin lovers! There is just one teaspoon of rum but my oh my is it seriously amazing! If you don’t have rum, worry not since it can easily be replaced with vanilla.
These are easy, cute and perfect for a Thanksgiving potluck! This makes 16 half-cup servings but you can put them into smaller cups for a larger crowd and make 32 quarter-cup servings.
One of my readers, Nadia, shared that she makes our original Bird’s Milk Jello with pumpkin and ofcourse I had to recreate. Her invention was brilliant. My husband and I both really enjoyed these and so did our baby girl. She took her first bite and had all kinds of cute 2-year-old commentary including: “deelicious” and “more!” Thank you Nadia for sharing this recipe with us!
P.S. Want to know which tools we used to make this recipe? See the Amazon affiliate links in the instructions below.
Pumpkin Mousse Ingredients:
2 packets unflavored gelatin (14 grams or 1/2 oz total)
1 cup (8 oz) milk, any kind
1 cup granulated sugar
15 oz can pumpkin puree
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
16 oz sour cream
16 oz whipped topping*, thawed in the refrigerator
ground cinnamon, to garnish
*Cool whip or preferably truwhip will work in this recipe. I was able to find True Whip at Fred Meyer in the health food freezer section. It’s a higher quality product and costs more but also doesn’t contain all of the controversial ingredients that people dislike in cool whip. Now you can still enjoy all of the recipes that people post with that dreaded cool whip. YES! 😉 You’re welcome.
Rum Whipped Cream Ingredients:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 Tbsp powered sugar
1 tsp rum (dark or golden), or vanilla extract
How to Make Easy Pumpkin Mousse:
1. In a small saucepan, combine 2 packets unflavored gelatin with 1 cup milk. Place over medium heat and whisk continually until the mixture just begins to steam and gelatin is dissolved then remove from heat and let cool 15 minutes (Do NOT boil).
2. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer on medium speed, whisk together 1 cup sugar, 16 oz sour cream, 15 oz pumpkin puree and 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, and mix until blended. Add 16 oz of whipped topping and mix on medium low speed just until blended, scraping down the bowl as needed.
3. With the mixer on, slowly drizzle in the warm milk mixture and once it is fully incorporated, immediately divide between your ramekin serving cups or pour into an 11×13 glass casserole dish and smooth out the top. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight for the mousse to set.
To Make the Rum Whipped Cream:
1. Using an electric mixer (hand mixer with egg beaters attached or stand mixer with whisk attachment), beat together 1 cup heavy whipping cream with 2 Tbsp powdered sugar on high speed for about 2 minutes or until thick and spreadable. Add 1 tsp rum and beat just to incorporate. Do not over-beat or it will turn buttery.** Pipe or dollop whipped cream just before serving and finely dust with ground cinnamon to garnish.
**P.S. Make whipped cream just before serving for best flavor. The rum flavor tends to mellow out and diminish if the cream is refrigerated overnight. Thankfully it’s the easiest part of this dish and literally takes 2 minutes to make.
⬇Print-Friendly Pumpkin Mousse Recipe:
Pumpkin Mousse Recipe
Ingredients
Pumpkin Mousse Ingredients:
- 1/2 oz unflavored gelatin , (2 packets or 14 grams total)
- 1 cup milk, any kind
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 15 oz can pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 16 oz sour cream
- 16 oz whipped topping, thawed in the refrigerator
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, to garnish
Rum Whipped Cream Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 Tbsp powered sugar
- 1 tsp rum, dark or golden, or vanilla extract
Instructions
How to Make Easy Pumpkin Mousse:
-
In a small saucepan, combine 2 packets gelatin with 1 cup milk. Place over medium heat and whisk continually until mixture just begins to steam and gelatin dissolves. Remove from heat and cool 15 min (Do NOT boil).
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In the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed, combine 1 cup sugar, 16 oz sour cream, 15 oz pumpkin puree, 1 tsp pumpkin spice, and mix until blended. Add 16 oz of whipped topping and mix on med-low speed until blended, scraping down the bowl as needed.
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With mixer on, slowly drizzle in the warm milk mixture and once fully incorporated, immediately divide between your serving cups. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight for the mousse to set.
To Make the Rum Whipped Cream:
-
Using an electric mixer, beat together 1 cup heavy cream with 2 Tbsp powdered sugar on high speed about 2 minutes or until thick and whipped. Add 1 tsp rum and beat just to incorporate. Do not over-beat.** Pipe or dollop whipped cream just before serving and dust with cinnamon to garnish.
Recipe Notes
**Make whipped cream just before serving for best flavor.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Love Pumpkin?? Check out all of our Favorite Pumpkin Recipes Here!
I hope you all have a lovely Thanksgiving!! If these make it to your Thanksgiving celebration, let me know 🙂
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Excellent recipe. I love the slight tartness of the sour cream. It is a great contrast to the creaminess and sweetness of the mousse. Thank you for sharing it.
You’re welcome, Ana! 🙂
Just finished making this. Can’t wait to try it. I put some in phyllo shells. I didn’t have sour cream so I used Greek yogurt. I will post how it turned out.
Hi Nancy! Yes, I’d love to hear how they turn out. 🙂
I want to make this for Thanksgiving and hoping to get as much done before the day of. How many days in advance can I make the mousse? I will wait to make the whip topping that day.
Hi, I would say 2-3 days on the mousse (keep it covered so it doesn’t absorb other fridge smells) and I would whip the cream fresh just before adding it since it tends to soften in the refrigerator.
I want to try this recipe for my little girl’s Thanksgiving Lunch at School, if I use small deserts containers of 3oz how many servings will I get?
I just want to say that I love all your recipes and I love your sweet spirit. You never deserve snarky comments from people but you are always classy. I cook more from your site than any other. Thank you!
Hi Liz, I’m so glad you enjoy my recipes! Thank you!
Do you have a substitute for “whipped topping”, being that it is a hydrogenated oil?
Hi Ralph, one of my readers shared this very helpful review: “I just substitute whip cream I make from whipping heavy cream and it turns out great. This is what I do for all recipes that involve cool whip. Especially when I make strawberry pretzel salad. Try it! It is 100 times better”
Perfect. Thank you as I was just going to ask this same question. I much prefer real whipped cream but that is just me.
Could I use leaf gelatin instead of powder. It is not available in Denmark. If so how many would you use?
Hi Gitte, I don’t have experience using gelatin sheets but here is a helpful article from Nigella on converting gelatin leaves to powder that may be helpful to you.
Can this mousse be frozen? Having company on Sunday so wondering if it can be made ahead?
Hello there, I haven’t tried freezing this yet to advise. If you do try it, please share with us how it turns out!
I’m 55 I’ve been cooking since twelve and using cool whip. One, the regular cool whip pumpkin mousse is delicious and cuts about 4 steps and some ingredients off your recipe. Two I have many things to worry about on a personal, national and global level, cool whip isn’t one of them. Lol.
These are the ingredients for cool whip- it isn’t real food!
WATER, 22% HYDROGENATED COCONUT AND PALM KERNEL OIL, GLUCOSE-FRUCTOSE, CORN SYRUP, SODIUM CASEINATE (FROM MILK), POLYSORBATE 60, NATURAL AND ARTIFICAL FLAVOUR, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, XANTHAN GUM, GUAR GUM, COLOUR.
I just substitute whip cream I make from whipping heavy cream and it turns out great. This is what I do for all recipes that involve cool whip. Especially when I make strawberry pretzel salad. Try it! It is 100 times better
Thank you so much for sharing that with us!
Audrey, I’m guessing you’re referring to a version that also calls for pudding mix.
I am grateful that Natasha shares these recipes with those of us who prefer to take a few extra steps when making treats that are still made with nutritious whole foods.
Side note: Adding “LOL” doesn’t detract from the rudeness of your comment.
Can I use this recipe to frost cakes? If Yes, what can I use to thicken the consistency to frost cakes?
Hi Gismel, this would not work to frost cakes.
Excellent! Followed the recipe exactly. So easy! Light and just sweet enough. Making this again tonight for dinner guests. I cut the recipe in half – it does make a lot.
I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe Lisa! That’s so great!
do you have a recipe for a pumpkin puree?
Hi Claudia! We sure do! you can find our Pumpkin Puree recipe Here!
I have been having a pumpkin pie craving for about a week now. I finally had the time to make a dessert and this is what decided on. My husband and I couldn’t have been more pleased with the flavor and taste. I only made 1/2 the recipe, but it all came out so well! We will be enjoying for a few nights to come! Thank you for an amazing alternative to making a pie without the crust!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Molly! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review 🙂
Hi Natasha, have you ever substituted out the dairy? I know I could use coconut milk/almond milk to replace the milk. But the sour cream and cool whip I’m not sure. I habe tried to whip coconut milk fat but I do not know how well it will hold. Have any suggestions?
I honestly haven’t tried that Annie! Doesn’t look like anyone posted about that either. Has anyone tried that before I’d love to know also. I’ve heard of vegan version of sour cream made from coconut milk before but haven’t tried that in this recipe.
I think I may try something for Thanksgiving. There is dairy free coconut milk yogurt I may be able to replace with sour cream and I’m sure they have some type of dairy free whip I can use. I will let you know if I try.
I would love to know the outcome! Thanks Annie!
Is this a gluten free recipe?
Hi Cyndi, yes this is a gluten free pumpkin mousse 🙂
I have not made this moussebut I’ve made lemon mousse. It freezes beautifully! And then delicious served as a frozen mousse or just thaw it!
Keep this in mind with the large quantity this makes!
Thank you for sharing this with us, Nancy!
Could I put this in a glass bowl instead of individual ramekins?
I haven’t tried that but it may work! Please let me know how you like it if you experiment!
Nashenka, if I do not eat gelatin, is it possible to do agar agar powder instead?
Hi Ana, I honestly have not tried that but with agar powder it would probably need some modification and would not substitute straight across. Has anyone else tried with agar? Please let us know and thanks in advance! 🙂
I also was turned off by having a Cool Whip in the ingredient list. But I made my own whipped cream and added it instead. Turned out great! I also didn’t have a pumpkin spice – I added some Allspice instead). The mousse has a light and airy texture.
I made this dish for this Thanksgiving (in addition to other recipes from Natasha – sweet potato dish and Apple slab pie). I didn’t realize how much the recipe yields!! I’m still eating it! (My children didn’t care much for it. Well, more for me!
Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers! I appreciate it!
Can the home made pumpkin pure recipie from ur blog be used for this recipie?
Hi Nadya, I think that would work well, just be sure it is very well drained. The canned ones seem a little more concentrated which gives this a slightly stronger pumpkin flavor than homemade puree.
This looks incredible! Yum!
It is so delicious! I hope you love it Lisa!
Dear Natasha,
Greetings from Dubai !! Thank you for your delicious and healthy recipes.
How can we substitute Pumpkin puree if its not available? Do we have to boil or roast the pumpkin ?
Greetings Tanaz! 🙂 You can make your own well-drained pumpkin puree for this recipe. We have a great tutorial on DIY pumpkin puree here.
Thank you so much , Natasha.
Appreciate your response.
Regards
🙂
Hey Natasha my birthday is on the 11
Hello Kristy! Happy Birthday! 🙂
Hi, is there something I can substitute for pumpkin pie spice? I have cinnamon and nutmeg, wondering if that would work without altering the flavor too much.
Hi Evinka, I think you could still make that work. You might google a DIY pumpkin spice recipe like this one to see ideas for proportions of spices and maybe adding something else that you may not have thought of if you have it on hand such as ginger and allspice.
Hi Natasha, how much of the Pumpkin pie Spice extract should I use if in liquid (seams like you have powdered on the photo) Thank you ))
Hi Tanya, I haven’t tried that product in this but form what I’ve read, it should be equal amounts 🙂
Has anyone tried making this with real whipped cream?
Hi Terry, I haven’t tried this one with whipped cream, but here is our vanilla mousse with whipped cream substituted which may help.
Is truwhip the same as cool whip?
Hi Olga, yes 🙂 I have notes on substitutions towards the top 🙂
I would like to make these for Thanksgiving as I like the idea to prepare as much the day before. Thanks for the idea!
However “truwhip” or whipped topping sounds like whipping cream to me, if I increase the amount of gelatine slightly, do you think whipping cream would be a good replacement? Have never seen or heard of truwhip or any other whipped topping and just googled the product, looks like whipping cream to me. Thanks for your help.
Hi Jenny, it is a type of pre-made whipped cream, or whipped topping. Freshly whipped cream would still work with some minor adjustments. I made my vanilla mousse similarly using heavy whipping cream instead and it still worked – you can see that recipe here and compare the vanilla mousse portion for substitution ideas. It wasn’t as mousse-like as this one but it still worked.
Thank you Natasha! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving as well! God Bless!
My pleasure Katya, you as well! 🙂
Natasha, as always thank you for new recipes and ideas!
What do you think if I skip pumpkin puree? I was thinking about adding cocoa powder maybe.
Thank you!
Hi Julia, yes, you could omit the pumpkin. Here are the rest of our recipes using the same or similar base without pumpkin.