Description

Cranberry Mousse Cups are a creamy no-bake dessert with a buttery graham cracker base, fluffy cranberry mousse, and whipped cream on top. This easy recipe is perfect for holiday dessert ideas, Christmas food ideas, Thanksgiving treats, make-ahead desserts, quick party desserts, and simple no-bake recipes when you want something pretty, sweet, and refreshing without turning on the oven.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 pinch salt

1 cup cranberry sauce or cranberry compote, cooled

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon orange zest

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold

1/2 cup whipped cream for topping

1/2 cup sugared cranberries for garnish

8 small mint leaves for garnish

Instructions

1. Stir the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and salt together until the mixture looks like damp sand.

2. Divide the crumb mixture between 8 small dessert cups and press it lightly into the bottom of each cup.

3. Beat the softened cream cheese in a large bowl until completely smooth and creamy.

4. Add the cranberry sauce, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest, then beat until the mixture is evenly pink and smooth.

5. In a separate chilled bowl, whip the cold heavy cream until medium peaks form.

6. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cranberry cream cheese mixture in two additions until smooth and airy.

7. Spoon or pipe the cranberry mousse over the crumb base in each cup.

8. Refrigerate the cups for at least 3 hours, or until the mousse is chilled and softly set.

9. Top each cup with whipped cream, sugared cranberries, and mint just before serving.

10. Serve cold and keep leftovers refrigerated.

Notes

Use cooled cranberry sauce or compote only; warm cranberry filling can loosen the mousse.

For the smoothest texture, soften the cream cheese fully before mixing.

Add the whipped cream and sugared cranberry garnish shortly before serving for the prettiest presentation.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 dessert cup
Calories: 315
Sugar: 23g
Sodium: 145mg
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 68mg

Keywords: cranberry mousse cups, no-bake cranberry dessert, holiday dessert ideas, Christmas dessert, Thanksgiving dessert, easy recipe, food ideas, make-ahead dessert