3-Ingredient Pumpkin Mousse Recipe

Say it with us: 3-ingredient pumpkin mousse. Yes, this magical little dessert exists, and we are ready to fully embrace it into our kitchen and our lives. What we love, beyond its flavor and texture, is its simple ingredient list and easy-to-follow instructions. It's brought to you by recipe developer Sher Castellano, and she uses a smart, short list of ingredients and a few expert tips to throw this recipe together in no time at all.

This easy mousse recipe will please all the pumpkin lovers — especially those avoiding, gluten, artificial flavors, and high-fructose corn syrup. All you need is half-and-half, plain unsweetened and unseasoned pumpkin puree, and a package of Instant French Vanilla Jell-O Pudding & Pie Filling. The pumpkin puree adds that classic pumpkin flavor and a beautiful warm orange color, the pudding mix lightly sweetens the dessert while adding a hint of vanilla, and the half-and-half gives the dessert its body and richness.

Now let's get started!

To get started, we're going to collect our ingredients. As we mentioned, the ingredient list is short and sweet. Gather up the half-and-half, plain unsweetened and unseasoned pumpkin puree, and a package of Instant French Vanilla Jell-O Pudding & Pie Filling. It's worth noting that Castellano says, "both the regular vanilla flavor and the french vanilla flavors work great." So, get whatever you prefer.

And while salt is a completely optional ingredient, we think a small pinch goes a long way to balance out the sweetness, so go ahead and have a little bit ready, too.

The first step to making this 3-ingredient pumpkin mousse is also the only active step in the instructions. You can make this recipe in one bowl by whisking all of the ingredients by hand. It really is that simple. So, combine the half-and-half, pumpkin puree, Instant French Vanilla Jell-O Pudding & Pie Filling, and a pinch of salt (if desired) in a mixing bowl, and whisk them until smooth. Whisking should take you about 30 seconds to complete. 

The next step is to portion the 3-ingredient pumpkin mousse into dessert cups. You can use basic ramekins like Castellano did, or you can put it in something more interesting and festive, like a cocktail glass. Whatever you choose, simply spoon the mousse into the vessel. If you like the way it looks as is, move on to the next step. If you want the top smooth, use a small spoon to spread it flat. 

Castellano also suggests, "Another fun alternative is to serve this mousse family-style — mound it in a bowl, garnish with toppings, pass out spoons, and dig in."

There are so many reasons we love this dessert recipe. But at the top of the list is the fact that this mousse is ready to enjoy immediately after portioning. There's no chill time unless you decide to prepare it ahead of time. In that case, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.

This mousse is wonderful on its own or with a garnish. Castellano recommends "cacao nibs for some crunch, mini chocolate chips for some extra sweetness, or sea salt if you like a sweet and salty treat."