This no bake pumpkin cheesecake mousse is a recipe for those of us in California wishing we could start celebrating fall desserts, but rejecting the oven in this wicked hot late summer. It's what you whip up when your air-conditioner-less house is already 80°F in the coolest hallway when you get out of bed at 9am on Saturday morning in October. This pumpkin dessert will still satisfy all your fall cravings with way less effort (and heat) than baking a pie with a fussy crust.
Full disclosure: I knew it was a terrible idea to turn the oven on when I woke up in a sweat, but the several cans of pumpkin purée on my counter beckoned to the season-loving girl in me and I cranked it up to 350°F anyway.
We'd just gotten back from a long weekend visiting my old neighborhood in Philadelphia where the tips of the leaves were just beginning to turn amber in preparation for their impending descent. The sun was still out, but the air had a subtle musty East Coast autumn smell as soon as we stepped off the train. Our day-trip out to the countryside brought back memories of the picturesque fall drive along the Schuylkill River on our way to Pottstown for Thanksgiving my first year in Philadelphia (for non-Philadelphians, that's pronounced "Skoogle River" ... some things still baffle me).
With a rush of fall over me, I craved pumpkin in the most feverish way. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin mac and cheese, pumpkin caramels.
So despite my best judgement, I turned on the oven for a full-on fall treat bake-a-thon. And then (mostly) regretted the decision the moment the kitchen hit a muggy 90°F with no escape except standing in front of the fridge sipping iced tea. A snapshot on my Instagram feed showed a layer of "first snow" somewhere in Alaska.
Over here in California, Lucas and I argued over whether the neighbors could see me shooting pictures of pumpkin cheesecake mousse in my underwear through our sheer curtains (for the record: no, they cannot). Way too hot for clothes inside.
Probably Definitely my own fault.
The weather says summer, but my taste buds want fall. Plus I promised after my meyer lemon love affair, I'd welcome pumpkin with welcome arms. So here we are with a few indulgent servings of chilled no bake pumpkin cheesecake mousse. This recipe is so simple that you can whip it together in about five minutes flat. On the road to making healthy pumpkin muffins (recipe coming soon), I found myself with 6 ounces of leftover cream cheese and half a can of pumpkin purée that I couldn't very well let go to waste. So badda bing badda boom: no bake pumpkin cheesecake mousse.
Each spoonful is light and airy with a spiced pumpkin pie flavor throughout and a tang of cream cheese. Then we dropped a cloud of cinnamon whipped cream on top for good measure - the way pumpkin pie was meant to be eaten. The kind of nostalgic dessert that helps you pretend the melting heat is really just a warm autumn fireplace.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1-½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 ounces full-fat cream cheese (blocked)
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
- 1-½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Optional: ½ cup crushed up ginger snaps to line the bottom of the cups, but only if serving the same day, or they'll get soggy.
INSTRUCTIONS
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the whipped cream on high speed until it begins to froth, a couple of minutes.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla and continue beating until soft peaks form. Transfer the whipped cream to a bowl and set aside.
- In the bowl of the stand mixer (no need to clean it), add the cream cheese and beat on medium speed until smooth.
- Add the pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves and mix until well combined, scraping down the sides as necessary.
- Fold in all but one cup of the whipped cream and mix until completely smooth.
- Using a piping bag fitted with a large tip*, pipe the mousse into 4-6 small ramekins.
- Optional: Line the bottom of the ramekins with crushed gingersnaps.
- Pipe a dollop of the reserved whipped cream on top of each ramekin and sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Chill for at least an hour before serving. Keep any leftovers chilled for up to two days.
Notes
Karen @ The Food Charlatan -
Oh my gosh, I'm so glad I'm not the only one assuming that my neighbors aren't that nosy. It's totally normal to shoot mousse in your underwear. <<--I hope that ends up on my tombstone.
This no bake sounds perfect! since I had to turn on the AC today...again. California, what is going on??
Sarah Menanix -
I'll make sure this is documented in your will. Also - I'm SO jealous of your AC!
Tyler -
I had the pleasure of eating one and it was delicious!
Sarah Menanix -
Yay! I'm so glad you still thought that after it was course 5 of your desserts-only birthday lunch!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom -
Hi Sarah!
I'm so glad I discovered your blog!! It's so funny that you say that about living in CA and not wanting to turn on the oven!! My brother's family and my husband's family are in Los Angeles and they tell us everyday how hot is it there .. so I'm thinking of no bake treats for them like all the time. :P We are now in Wisconsin so we're in the 50s now. . LOVE this bake-pumpkin-cheesecake-mousse!! This is perfection!! Pinned!
Sarah Menanix -
Oh my! I'm a bit jealous of your already-chilly fall (but on the other hand, I'm also excited about FINALLY getting to wear shorts and tank tops)! LA is even hotter than here - definitely don't envy them right now;) Thank you so much, Alice!
Allison -
I'm very happy to see some pumpkin on here! And everyone knows that pumpkin and cream cheese are BFFs. This looks just so incredible I want to grab a spoon and dive in! I really like the simplicity of this dessert and it just happens to be Canadian thanksgiving this weekend AND I'm looking to add a couple of pumpkin desserts to the spread :) Love this idea!!!
Sarah Menanix -
The very best of friends, right?! Oh my goodness - what good timing! I hope you make and love this pumpkin mousse! I'm definitely adding it to our Thanksgiving spread because it's so easy to make that I can just whip it up and then get to work on all the rest of the time-sucker side dishes:) Either way - HAPPY CANADIAN THANKSGIVING!
Beth @ The First Year -
Sarah, you nailed this recipe! I am drooling all over my computer!
Sarah Menanix -
Haha - that happens to me on a daily basis. Thank you so much, Beth!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert -
Wow! This looks fantastic. I am craving a serving right now. Pinned!
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks for sharing it, Jen! Wish I could give you a cup of mousse!
Melissa Belanger -
I totally used to live in Pottstown when I was in second grade! They really get the perfect mix of seasons in PA. Much better than the abrupt cold of WI. Anyway, I love no bake cheesecakes :) They're so much easier than regular cheesecake and the pumpkin is perfect for this time of year. I hope you get the cold weather you're craving soon!
Sarah Menanix -
What a coincidence! You've got that right - that's one of many things I miss about Philadelphia. Thank you so much, Melissa - I'm totally all about less effort desserts. The quicker I get to eat them, the better;)
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life -
I am so sorry to hear that it is still so hot there...hopefully a cool spell will come through very soon for you! I love that you created these awesome no bake cheesecake cups and that you shoot photos in your undies! Too funny and good that the neighbors can't see :-)
Sarah Menanix -
Ha - it was so hot that I probably wouldn't have cared if the neighbors could see (it really was my husband who was super concerned when he walked in and saw me!). Thanks for the wished for cooler weather!
Lisa / Good on Paper -
Sarah, this looks so good and easy to make. Bookmarked it! At least it's slightly cooling down. I'm horrible though, it seems like I always turn on the oven when it's hot -- Nick thinks I'm crazy. But I just crave baked goods when it's hot! This one is a great alternative though ;)
Sarah Menanix -
Haha - we should leave all the boys/men to hang out in one cool house while we turn another house into a sauna on those hot days. I was just thinking as I posted this that it would be so cute in mason jars with little labels like the ones you made for the s'mores jars but for a Thanksgiving spread.
Lisa / Good on Paper -
That mousse in those jars would be awesome!!! Do it!! I think Osh has them for a good price :)
Ashley Pitt @ A Lady Goes West -
It has been SO hot, and it's not fun when you don't have an air conditioner. Luckily, we have a little fan to move the air around in our tiny apartment, but this weekend wasn't pretty inside. I love fall desserts so much, and anything pumpkin is a welcome treat in my book. Good job!
Sarah Menanix -
I hear you - my husband and cats quarantined themselves to the east end of the house with the fan pulling in as much air as possible through the sliding glass door while I kept sweating in the kitchen. Thank you so much, Ashley!
ellie | fit for the soul -
Bahahahaha oh dear....tmi from me, but I can relate to the underwear state of shooting pictures. EeekS! But I never told you that, okay?
And these are so so so adorable!!!! I just want to grab them all and show them off in a bakery display. :D I'm surprised that I'm not all pumpkin crazy (yet), since pre-Selah I was eating it pretty much throughout the year. Also, that musty East Coast fragrance sounds so nice right now. Going there for the Fall is one of my "dreams". ;)
Sarah Menanix -
Haha I will tell no one (except everyone who reads this - WRITE THAT DOWN FOLKS!;).
Thank you so much, Ellie! I have faith that the pumpkin craving will come over you soon - maybe it'll take the first rain? Also, I 100% recommend visiting the East Coast in the fall - I grew up with trees that changed colors, but they hardly compare to the trees in Philadelphia.
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes -
I have a friend who lives in Cali who has been saying how hot is is there. Are you going to hate me if I say I'm jealous??? I love hot weather and I miss it already. I love this mousse - so perfect for fall!! Gorgeous photos, too.
Sarah Menanix -
Haha - this might be a "the grass is always greener" situation. Thank you so much, Ashley!
Tina @ Just Putzing Around the Kitchen -
I'm so glad I have a can of pumpkin puree in the pantry right now, b/c I'm definitely making this PRONTO. Also, w.r.t. underwear photo-shooting...I definitely hopped out of the shower last week and started shooting right by our balcony window in my birthday suit b/c the light was so perfect. We have no shades/blinds/curtains. I'm convinced we live too high up to be seen by our neighbors though, so it should be OK....
Sarah Menanix -
Ooo la lal! I hope that you have neighbors that read your blog and now are going to sit back and enjoy the Sunday show.
Courtney @ FitCakes -
Very nice photography! How do you do it?! :)
Sarah Menanix -
Oh my goodness - You're too sweet! Thank you! (It takes me forever to shoot and edit photos - so maybe that's my response: lots of trial and error;)
Kayley | The Kitchen McCabe -
I would totally shoot pics in my underwear if it were too hot. Except that its in the low 60's and we live at my parents house while we're waiting to close on a house.
So nevermind. I actually wouldn't ;)
LOVE these pictures, Sarah! These cheesecakes look gorgeous and yummy!
Sarah Menanix -
Oh my - I'm sure your parents would be in for quite the surprise haha! 60s sounds like the perfect fall weather. Thank you so much, Kayley!
Thalia @ butter and brioche -
These pumpkin 'cheesecake' mousses look SO delicious. I especially love that they are no bake! Great recipe, thanks for sharing it Sarah!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you Thalia! This is one of those desserts that looks impressive but take basically no time at all.
Maite's Sweet Food -
This cheesecake mousse looks awesome!!What a colour and an original dessert!!!
I love it!!
Sarah Menanix -
Yay! Thank you so much!
Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking -
Ohmygosh -- I've TOTALLY done photo shoots "dressed" like that too! Sitting in front of the window with the sun shining down in blazing hot Sac... Thank goodness for fences because I wouldn't want my neighbor to have to explain that to her kids. Not that they would have really cared, anyway... But I love your twin-version of dessert! I seriously want to trade. :) Pinned!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much, Amy! Let's trade - my hips will love me for it;)
(Also...please stop spamming me with kindness - SHEESH!)
(Also also - when are you coming to get lemons??)
Raquel @ My California Roots -
I am having the same exact dilemma with with fall flavors but the hot weather here in California! I can't WAIT until we get some cool days and, if it ever happens, rain! This mouse looks so delicious. I would eat it off the screen if I could!
Sarah Menanix -
Yes - RAIN! We got one day last week and a few little sprigs of green popped up from our dead grass, but I could definitely use some more. Wouldn't that be so great if I could figure out a way to deliver mousse electronically?? Thank you so much, Raquel!
Mira -
This recipe is so in time for fall! I love that these are "no bake", although I don't mind turning the oven on (Chicago!) :) Pictures are more than beautiful Sarah!
Sarah Menanix -
Aw - thank you Mira! Even with the cooler temperatures, the no-bake totally cuts down on prep time. Meaning you get to eat them WAY sooner. ;)
Stephanie Leung -
Hi! i was wondering how do you make you're recipes on that template? I'm kinda new to the blogging world and would love to get some tips and tricks!
thanks!
Sarah Menanix -
Hi Stephanie! I use the plugin called Easy Recipe Plus for my recipes and you can use the plugin to stylize the template to match your blog. It also allows you to add a bit of CSS if you want even more control over the style of it!
Isadora @ She Likes Food -
And I thought Arizona was hot! We actually got some rain today and for the first time in forever I was freezing! I'll try to send some cool weather your way! Or maybe this pumpkin mousse will be like a fall/rain dance and the more you eat the cooler it will get! These look awesome and like the perfect way to use the can of pumpkin that has been sitting in the cupboard for far too long now :)
Sarah Menanix -
Wow! Send some of that rain to California please (I read somewhere that we currently only have about an 18 month supply of water stored up here in California!). I like the way you think - I should definitely eat more of these then. I hope you like the mousse! Please let me know if you end up making it!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia -
I am a fall loving girl too! Thank goodness I live in the PNW. I couldn't handle 80+ degrees in October :) These look divine by the way!
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks, Des! Maybe I need to come up and visit you! Also can you send some of that rain down this way?
Ania -
Great blog and delicious recipes. And beautiful photos :)
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you for stopping by Ania!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health -
Haha- I would have never guessed that's how you pronounce Schulykill! That's hilarious and really weird at the same time.
I've been overseas for the past two weeks so I'm hoping that California will cool down for my return home tomorrow. If not, at least I can make this without breaking a sweat. Pumpkin and cheesecake are a match made in heaven and you can't beat the ease of a no-bake recipe!
Sarah Menanix -
Welcome back! It seems to have cooled down a bit today so maybe you brought the cool weather with you?! I totally agree - no-bake is where it's at (me = lazy).
Min -
It's ridiculously hot over here too, but it's not going to stop me from cranking up the oven because all my favorite fall veggies beg to be roasted. However, this no bake mousse sounds like the perfect way to enjoy pumpkin on days when it's especially toasty.
I actually shoot right next to one of the largest windows in the house. I'd rather not since I live in a really.really active neighborhood. To adults and children (and dogs and cats), I offer free entertainment. I'm glad you have the option of shooting in your underwear haha.
Glad to hear that you're reunited with your hubby! I've been to Philadelphia once to visit my best friend who was attending UPenn at the time. Skoogle river..I prefer that spelling over..I don't even want to spell it haha. Hope you're doing well!!
Sarah Menanix -
I bet it's hot over there! And girl, I'm totally with you - I just can't help but turn the oven on.
Oh gosh - I love that your neighbors get to watch you shoot! I'm now imagining you living on a busy street where passersby stop to watch you cook through the window (like a cooking show on mute). Haha - probably not so, but makes me giggle!
Thanks lady! Sadly, Lucas is back in China until Friday - it's just me and the cats for now. And some pumpkin cheesecake mousse...
Lila Smyth -
Yum! I couldn't believe the heat. Ha, photographing in underwear, love it. I love fall too, just went to a pumpkin patch with my little guy today. So fun.
Sarah Menanix -
Oh my goodness! I haven't been to the pumpkin patch since I was a kid, but I've been itching to go recently. What fun!
Natasha @ The Cake Merchant -
I totally feel you over here in Texas, and I don't judge you at all for taking pictures in your undies. Love your photos of this gorgeous mousse!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much, Natasha! We just got back from Texas a few weeks ago and it was surprisingly cooler there than it was here! But believe me - I've definitely had my fair share of hot Texas visits in the middle of summer.
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen -
Our weather has been really warm and amazing this year too! It's not blazing hot, but just right, which is rare at this time of year. I'm so glad you braved the oven for us, because this pumpkin mousse looks amazing! Pinned!
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks so much for sharing it, Kristi!
Pang @circahappy -
I will definitely welcome this "No bake pumpkin cheesecake mousse" anytime, esp. right now. Is it still warm in SF? I am in Thailand at the moment, and yearn for Fall weather.
Though pumpkin is my favourite Fall dessert, and whatever you make, I am sure it will be so delicious.
I am loving this mouse because I can make it in my mom's kitchen right now. I can definitely create "Fall" in this part of the world with your good looking dessert.
<3 <3 <3
Sarah Menanix -
Today was just a bit cooler, but definitely still warm enough to walk around without a sweater. I hope you get to try this mousse - it's so easy and one of my new favorites. Thank you so much so your sweet words, Pang! I hope you're having a great time in Thailand (when I saw you were in Thailand, I was definitely jealous:)
Amy @ BorrowedSalt.com -
I am so glad that I'm not the only one cooking in my undies. This week I have been dying to "bake" in my roasted Santa Monica kitchen... This is perfect. Thank you. And for the affirmation that pants are not a requirement.
Sarah Menanix -
Haha - solidarity! Oh man - I bet it's even hotter in Santa Monica right now....but at least you have the beach! I hope you enjoy this no-bake recipe:)
ATasteOfMadness -
No bake? Count me in! This looks amazing!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much!
Carla (@charliesue) -
I cannot overstate how immediately I need to make these. I suspect you will agree that I should nix the chicken/broccoli for this week's lunches and make these instead?
Sarah Menanix -
Absolutely. And then bring them over to me when we have dinner. Kthnx.
Daria -
I’m so glad I discovered your recipe. I teach cooking classes for children, in my country, and these recipes really helped. Thanks!
Sarah Menanix -
Aw - how much fun is that?!
Valerie at Weekend Wonders -
WOW! This sounds and looks delicious <3 Great idea!! xx
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks, Valerie! xo!
Katie | lovely letters -
I hope the frequency of my "stunning" comments doesn't somehow impact the sincerity. I honestly cannot say it enough how beautiful your photos are. WOW!
I couldn't have put the mixed emotions about hating the heat but needing the pie any better. So so eloquent. Always love reading your stories :)
xx Katie
Sarah Menanix -
Keep it comin' girl ;) Ha! But seriously though, I love hearing that you read the posts - makes me so giddy inside! I'm so happy I got to see you on Sunday! xo.
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter -
Haha glad the neighbours can't see you when you did the photo shoot in your undies - hate how the oven warms up the entire place when you don't need it too - no bake treats like this are just the answer. They look gorgeous! Pinned :)
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much, Kelly! We just got new neighbors across the street, so it would have been a nice surprise if they saw me in my skivvies while unloading the UHaul! ;)
Chris @ Shared Appetite -
Oh boo hoo, it must be terrible being in CA when it's a beautiful 80 degrees in October... with your backyard full of rainbows, sunshine, and Meyer lemon trees. No, I'm not jealous or anything... we might get a snow flurry this weekend here in NY. That's right... now who's jealous. Hahahahahaha.
P.S. this mousse looks legit! Pinning!
Sarah Menanix -
Always want what you can't have! ;) But that snow flurry is gonna get real old after the roads are too hard to drive on. Just sayin....
Thanks for sharing it Chris!!!
Elic -
I'm allergic to the corn starch in powdered sugar. Do you think this would work with Splenda instead? I've safely used Splenda to make other things.
Sarah Menanix -
Hi Elic! I haven't used splenda in desserts before because I'm not huge fan of the taste. However, if you can't use powdered sugar, this blog has a great tutorial on easily making your own powdered sugar without corn starch. You just need to mix granulated sugar and a bit of tapioca starch in a blender or food processor until it's fine. Hope this helps!
Rana -
Hi,
Do you think I could make this the night before thanksgiving for early thanksgiving dinner? Wondering if the consistency would hold up. Thanks.
Sarah Menanix -
Rana! I'm so sorry for the delay. Somehow all of my comments went to my spam folder and I missed this. This is probably too late, but YES, I've kept it for up to 3 days in the fridge and the ginger snaps were still crunchy:)
Scott -
Wow, this sounds great. Look forward to trying it! I also live in Southern California, and while I have air conditioning, I remember being grateful not to be entertaining on Thanksgiving last year when the temp reached 90 (in the city!)
Jaci -
SO good to hear that there is someone else out there without AC - dying to cook & bake - in their underwear, of course - like me!!
-Hot in Illinois :)
nnyl -
Instead of gingersnaps, I'm thinking of using this to fill chocolate cups and drizzeling with salted caramel sauce.
DEL -
c
Can I use buttanut puree which I would make myself cos we have neither buttanut nor pumpkin puree in tins on our shelves.? I am dying to try this recipe. We are not really Pumpkin pie mad here in South Africa but I realise it is a great favourite in the States.....I prefer buttanut to pumpkin cos it is firmer. Warm regards from Cape Town !
Sarah Menanix -
I think butternut puree would be great! Just make sure that the puree is really smooth! In the states, often what is labeled as "canned pumpkin" is actually a mix of pumpkin and butternut anyway, so the flavor will work great!
The Brunette's Tofu -
Such an amazing recipe! I'll definitely try this one. Thanks for sharing.
Continue your amazing work! Kiss
Liz -
I recommend using monkfruit instead of sugar. It is a zero sugar natural sweetener and unlike stevia doesn't have a bitter aftertaste.
Susan -
I've finished making this twice. I guess I have mixed the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract too long because each time it turned watery.. I kept waiting for soft peaks and each time it turned watery. I just want to know....any suggestions for what I did wrong. :(
Sarah Menanix -
Hm! So sorry you're having trouble - this is one of the recipes I make the most often so I'm happy to troubleshoot! In the first step, when you're whipping the cream with sugar and vanilla, it should take a few minutes (with a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, if doing it by hand with a whisk it'll take upwards of 15 min or so!), but you should whip it until it is the texture of whipped cream. If it's still milky and not fluffy, then keep whipping. It will be finished when you lift the whisk out of the cream and you see a soft peak stay up. It's doubtful that you went too long… If you beat it too long you'll end up with butter (With water that has separated out). My guess is that you didn't whip the cream long enough so when you folded it into the cream cheese it was still just liquid and not yet whipped cream. Does this help??
Sarah Menanix -
Alternatively, my friend thinks that it is possible that instead of stopping when there are soft peaks you might be over whipping it until it separates. You're looking for the stage just after it's no longer milky liquid - when you lift the whisk, the cream that comes from the whisk forms a peak that gently folds and softens onto the surface. Hope this helps!
Rebecca Hawkins -
I've made this recipe several times now. My family loves it. I divide it into little mason jars or plastic containers and pack them into lunches.