12 Easy Christmas Mousse Recipes!
If you’re looking for a light and easy to make dessert for the holidays, mousse is always a good idea! Easy to prepare, light, creamy, and perfect after a big meal, it’s a great choice for those days when you want to offer a sweet treat but you want to avoid anything too heavy.
This collection of the best Christmas mousse recipes features everything from nostalgic eggnog to classic chocolate to fruity berry, and there’s sure to be something here that your family and friends will love.
Expert Tips & Tricks for Making Mousse
Making a good mousse is something of a science. Here are some extra hints and tips that will help you to perfect the process:
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: Always choose high-quality chocolate, fresh cream, and premium flavorings for the best taste and texture.
- Chill Your Tools: Chill the mixing bowl and beaters before whipping cream to achieve better volume and stability.
- Fold Gently: When combining whipped cream or egg whites with the base, use a light folding motion to retain air and ensure a fluffy texture.
- Temper Ingredients: Gradually add warm ingredients (like melted chocolate) to cool ones to prevent curdling or separation.
- Use Stabilizers if Needed: Add a small amount of gelatin dissolved in water for extra firmness, especially for mousse that will be layered or piped.
- Beat Egg Whites or Cream to the Right Consistency: For cream, beat until soft peaks form; for egg whites, beat until stiff peaks form for a stable structure.
- Flavor Creatively: Enhance the mousse with liqueurs, extracts (e.g., vanilla, almond), zests, or spices to elevate its taste.
- Add a Crunch: Layer mousse with crushed cookies, nuts, or granola for added texture and visual appeal.
- Use a Piping Bag for Presentation: Transfer mousse into a piping bag for neat and elegant serving in glasses or cups.
- Refrigeration: Store mousse in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Serve Cold: Always serve mousse chilled to maintain its texture and flavor.
- Avoid Freezing: Mousse made with whipped cream may lose its smooth texture if frozen and thawed, but mousse made with a gelatin base can freeze well for up to a month.
- Prevent Absorbing Odors: Keep mousse in a tightly sealed container to avoid absorbing flavors from other foods in the fridge.
- Fresh Garnishes: Add garnishes like whipped cream or fruit just before serving for the best presentation.
1. Eggnog Mousse
Creamy, spiced, and oh-so-Christmassy, this Eggnog Mousse is like your favorite holiday drink turned into a luscious dessert. It’s wonderfully retro and nostalgic, and it’s special enough to be served on the big day itself.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 cup eggnog
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup rum or bourbon (optional)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions:
- Sprinkle gelatin over water in a small bowl and let it bloom for 5 minutes. Heat gently until dissolved.
- In a mixing bowl, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggnog, sugar, nutmeg, rum (if using), and vanilla. Stir in dissolved gelatin.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the eggnog mixture until combined.
- Spoon into serving glasses and chill for at least 2 hours.
2. Classic Chocolate Mousse
Rich, velvety, and indulgent, this Classic Chocolate Mousse is a dessert that never goes out of style. It’s a great choice when you want something light yet indulgent that’s going to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 large eggs, separated
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brewed coffee (optional)
Instructions:
- Melt chocolate in a double boiler, stirring until smooth. Add coffee if using and let cool slightly.
- Whip egg whites in a clean bowl until soft peaks form, gradually adding sugar until stiff peaks form.
- In another bowl, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- Mix egg yolks into the melted chocolate, then gently fold in the whipped cream and egg whites.
- Divide into serving dishes and chill for 2–3 hours. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, if you like.
3. Salted Caramel Mousse
Sweet, salty, and impossibly creamy, this Salted Caramel Mousse is a decadent treat that feels luxurious but is surprisingly easy to make.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 cup heavy cream, divided
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 large eggs, separated
Instructions:
- Heat sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat, swirling until golden caramel forms. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream and sea salt. Let cool.
- Whip remaining heavy cream to soft peaks and set aside.
- Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold caramel into egg yolks, then fold in egg whites and whipped cream.
- Spoon into glasses and chill for 2 hours. Serve with extra whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
4. Raspberry White Chocolate Mousse
Fruity, creamy, and perfectly sweet, this Raspberry White Chocolate Mousse is a festive pink dessert that’s almost too pretty to eat. I love serving this one when I want to offer up something that’s light and refreshing, and it’s fantastic topped with extra cream and raspberries.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white chocolate, melted
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Blend raspberries with sugar, then strain to remove seeds.
- Whip heavy cream to soft peaks. Fold half of the whipped cream into the melted white chocolate.
- Fold raspberry puree into the remaining whipped cream.
- Layer the white chocolate mousse and raspberry mousse in glasses. Chill for 2–3 hours.
5. Bailey’s Chocolate Mousse
This Bailey’s Chocolate Mousse combines creamy Irish cream liqueur with rich chocolate for a grown-up holiday treat.
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dark chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 large eggs, separated
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions:
- Melt chocolate and Bailey’s in a double boiler. Let cool slightly.
- Whip egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- Fold egg yolks into the chocolate, then gently fold in the whipped cream and egg whites.
- Spoon into glasses and chill for 2 hours. Serve with extra whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
6. Cranberry Mousse
Tart and sweet, this Cranberry Mousse is a refreshing and festive option perfect for the holidays.
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions:
- Simmer cranberries, sugar, and orange juice until cranberries burst. Blend until smooth and strain.
- Bloom gelatin in water and dissolve.
- Whip heavy cream to soft peaks. Stir gelatin into cranberry puree, then fold in whipped cream.
- Chill for 2 hours. Garnish with whipped cream, cranberries, and a dusting of icing sugar.
7. Dark Chocolate Orange Mousse
Zesty orange pairs beautifully with rich dark chocolate in this elegant mousse. It’s dinner party worthy, and it’s a great choice if you want to impress your guests but have the option of making your dessert in advance to save on time and stress!
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate, chopped
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 large eggs, separated
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions:
- Melt chocolate, orange juice, and zest in a double boiler. Cool slightly.
- Whip egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- Mix egg yolks into chocolate, then fold in whipped cream and egg whites.
- Chill for 2 hours. Serve garnished with whipped cream, orange zest, and chocolate shavings.
8. Swirled Candy Cane Mousse
Peppermint perfection in a glass! This Swirled Candy Cane Mousse is a festive and fun dessert for all ages.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white chocolate, melted
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
- Red food coloring
Instructions:
- Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- Fold whipped cream into melted white chocolate and peppermint extract.
- Divide into two bowls; tint one with red food coloring. Swirl together in glasses.
- Chill for 2 hours and garnish with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.
9. Chocolate Peppermint Mousse
Rich chocolate meets refreshing peppermint in this holiday classic.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
- 2 large eggs, separated
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions:
- Melt chocolate in a double boiler and stir in peppermint extract.
- Whip egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- Fold egg yolks into chocolate, then fold in whipped cream and egg whites.
- Chill for 2 hours. Serve with cream, chocolate shavings, and fresh mint leaves.
10. Strawberry Champagne Mousse
Celebrate the holidays with this bubbly, fruity mousse that’s perfect for special occasions! It’s fun, fruity, and sophisticated.
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 cup strawberries, blended
- 1/2 cup champagne
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin
Instructions:
- Blend strawberries with sugar and champagne.
- Bloom gelatin and dissolve. Stir into strawberry mixture.
- Whip heavy cream to soft peaks and fold into strawberry mixture.
- Chill for 2 hours. Garnish with strawberries and whipped cream.
11. Tiramisu Mousse
Layers of coffee and mascarpone mousse make this Tiramisu Mousse a dreamy dessert. It’s a delicious pick-me-up after a big meal, and I’ve served this one before on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve!
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup mascarpone
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup strong coffee
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Whip heavy cream, mascarpone, sugar, and vanilla to soft peaks.
- Divide the mixture in half; stir coffee into one half.
- Layer coffee mousse and mascarpone mousse in glasses.
- Chill for 2 hours and decorate with whipped cream and cocoa powder before serving.
12. Berry Mascarpone Mousse
This creamy Berry Mascarpone Mousse is light, fruity, and perfect for a festive dessert table.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup mascarpone
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup mixed berries
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Blend berries with sugar until smooth.
- Whip heavy cream, mascarpone, and vanilla to soft peaks. Fold in berry puree.
- Spoon into glasses and chill for 2 hours, garnished with whipped cream and fresh berries.
These 12 festive mousse recipes are fantastic choices if you’re looking for a light yet deliciously satisfying dessert for the Christmas table. My favorite thing about them is that they can be prepped in advance, which is always welcome when you’re trying to balance making multiple dishes and courses at the same time!
