This light and fluffy cranberry mousse is the perfect Valentine’s Day or late winter dessert. It’s easily made with both fresh or frozen cranberries and doesn’t require either eggs or gelatin.
I love whipping up quick and easy desserts in pretty glasses. They kind of justify my ever-growing collection of cups, glasses and dessert bowls! And with Valentine’s Day around the corner, this fresh cranberry mousse served in elegant glass cups makes for a beautiful and delicious dessert.
I have this habit of freezing seasonal fruits to enjoy throughout the year and I always make sure that I have a couple of bags of cranberries in my freezer. This time, I used up my stash quite early in this recipe.
I love pink desserts and instead of using strawberries or rose syrup, I decided to try something with cranberries. Ever since I made this lemon pound cake with a cranberry glaze, I have been addicted to homemade cranberry syrup. It’s not too sweet and has the perfect tangy-sweet balance for me. The syrup can be made with either fresh or frozen cranberries.
When the family was craving a sweet treat one day, I decided to whip up a light mousse flavored with cranberry syrup. My favorite way of making light and fluffy mousse does not call for any eggs or gelatin. I use cream cheese to add structure and stability to a whipped cream mixture. Lightly sweetened and flavored with cranberry syrup, this mousse turned out a pretty pastel pink color with a light and airy texture.
I like to swirl in some more cranberry syrup and maybe a sprinkling of saltine crackers in my mousse. You can also layer this mousse with crumbled sponge cake slices to make a parfait dessert.
Here are a few similar desserts that make for pretty Valentine’s Day or spring desserts.
- Eggless strawberry mousse
- Mango fool with candied almonds
- Mixed berry fool
- Berry tiramisu (kid-friendly version)
Here’s the easy recipe for Fluffy Cranberry Mousse without eggs or gelatin.
- Cranberries - 1 cup, fresh or frozen
- Sugar - ½ cup
- Water - ½ cup
- Lemon juice - 1 tsp
- Heavy cream - 1 cup, cold
- Cream cheese - 4 oz, softened
- Powdered sugar - ¼ cup, divided
- Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
- Cranberry syrup - ¼ cup
- Fresh mint leaves - for garnish, optional
- Cranberry syrup: Take all the ingredients in a saucepan and start cooking on medium-high heat. Soon the cranberries will start popping.
- Stir and cook till the sugar is completely dissolved and berries are mushy. It should look like a thick syrup. Strain syrup into a clean jar and chill before use. Leftover syrup keeps well in the refrigerator for several days.
- Cranberry mousse: In a cold mixing bowl, beat whipping cream and 2 tbsp powdered sugar with the whisk attachment of an electric mixer on medium-speed until soft peaks form. Set aside.
- Take cream cheese, remaining powdered sugar and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Beat on medium-speed until smooth and fluffy.
- Add cranberry syrup and beat until well combined. You can add a bit more syrup for a deeper color and flavor.
- Gently fold in the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Spoon the cranberry mousse into small cups or dessert bowls and chill for 1-2 hours.
- Before serving, top mousse with a spoonful of cranberry syrup and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
Surprise your loved ones with this light and fluffy cranberry mousse on Valentine’s Day. It will make a delightful Easter dessert as well.
Also, did you catch my strawberry desserts roundup post? I have compiled a list of 35 amazing strawberry recipes, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Do check it out.
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In what ways do you use cranberries? Do try this eggless mousse recipe and let me know how you like it.
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I am sharing this over at Fiesta Friday.
Patty Nguyen Zurilgen says
Such a pretty mouse, Anjana! It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy And Harried says
Thank you, Patty!
Albert Bevia - Spain on a Fork says
This mousse looks so amazing! such a great idea to freeze bags of cranberries in your freezer…excellent recipe
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy And Harried says
Thank you!
Life Diet Health says
Anjana I only bought my first lot of cranberries a couple of months ago! I don’t eat turkey so no need for cranberry sauce… Or so I thought! They’re not so easy to get hold of here but seeing this makes me want to find some! What a lovely Valentines dessert! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday.
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy And Harried says
I was introduced to them in the States. I make both sweet and savory relishes with cranberries and have grown to love them!
Jhuls says
They look gorgeous and perfect for this week’s FF party and for Valentine’s, too! 😀
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy And Harried says
Thank you, Jhuls. Happy FF
Zeba@Food For The Soul says
Just beautiful Anjana!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy And Harried says
Thank you, Zeba!
simplyvegetarian777 says
Beautiful pictures Anjana and easy yumm recipe!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy And Harried says
Thank you, Sonal!