Mango Mousse

This Easy Mango Mousse is a light, creamy tropical dessert that’s incredibly easy to prepare with just three ingredients. Ripe mangoes bring natural sweetness, while whipped cream provides a rich, airy texture, and honey adds just the right amount of natural sweetness. Perfect for warm days or as a light finish to any meal, this no-bake mousse is refreshing, indulgent, and stunning when served in individual glasses with fresh mango garnish.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and cubed

  • 2 tablespoons honey (or to taste)

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

  • Mango slices, for garnish

Directions

  1. Puree Mango: Blend mango cubes and honey in a blender until smooth.

  2. Whip Cream: In a cold bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form (about 3–5 minutes).

  3. Combine: Gently fold the mango puree into the whipped cream until well incorporated.

  4. Chill: Spoon the mousse into serving glasses and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until set.

  5. Serve: Garnish with mango slices before serving.

Nutrients

  • Calories: ~250–300 kcal per serving

  • Servings: 4

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes

  • Chill Time: 2 hours

  • Total Time: ~2 hours 10 minutes

Why This Dessert Works

This mango mousse works beautifully because of the balance between texture, taste, and simplicity. The ripe mangoes bring a naturally sweet, fruity base that requires little enhancement. Honey enhances that sweetness without overpowering the fruit, adding floral depth and a touch of smoothness. The whipped cream acts as the airy backbone of the mousse, providing structure while keeping the overall dessert light and fluffy.

Each spoonful is rich without being heavy, fruity without being overly tart, and sweet without being cloying. It’s a delicate dance of flavors and textures that’s surprisingly easy to achieve with minimal ingredients and tools.

A Sweet Ode to Mango Season

There’s something magical about mango season. Juicy, aromatic, and richly colored, mangoes are one of nature’s most beloved tropical fruits. Whether you’re enjoying them fresh off the tree or in recipes like smoothies, sorbets, or salsas, mangoes always add sunshine to your plate.

This mango mousse is a beautiful way to highlight their peak-season flavor. Unlike baked mango desserts where the fruit’s brightness may be muted, here the mango is the star. It’s pureed until silky smooth and folded gently into whipped cream so its flavor remains intact and vibrant.

If you love fruit-forward desserts that are light, chilled, and naturally sweet, this mousse deserves a place at the top of your must-make list.

Nutritional Benefits

Despite its rich and creamy texture, this mousse is surprisingly gentle on the body when enjoyed in moderation. Mangoes are packed with vitamin C, vitamin A, and beneficial antioxidants like beta-carotene, which contribute to healthy skin, immune support, and eye health.

Honey, used here instead of refined sugar, is not only natural but also contains trace nutrients and antioxidants. It has a slightly lower glycemic index and contributes a rounder sweetness with fewer additives than traditional white sugar.

Heavy cream, while indulgent, does offer healthy fats that aid in nutrient absorption—especially the fat-soluble vitamins present in mango. You can lighten the mousse by using coconut whipped cream or a plant-based alternative for a dairy-free version.

This dessert is naturally gluten-free and egg-free, and it can be made vegetarian or vegan with simple swaps.

Tips for Best Results

To ensure your mango mousse turns out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:

Choose ripe mangoes. They should be fragrant, slightly soft to the touch, and vibrant in color. Varieties like Alphonso, Ataulfo (honey mango), or Kesar work best for their sweetness and low fiber content.

Chill your equipment. Whipping cream whips better when cold, so chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before starting.

Don’t overbeat the cream. Whip just until stiff peaks form; overbeating can lead to a grainy texture or butter separation.

Gently fold. When combining the mango puree with the whipped cream, fold gently to maintain the mousse’s airy texture.

Chill thoroughly. This mousse needs at least 2 hours in the fridge to set fully and develop its flavors. It can also be made a day ahead, making it perfect for stress-free entertaining.

Creative Variations

This base recipe is wonderfully versatile. Try these creative spins to make the dessert even more exciting:

Coconut Mango Mousse – Substitute half the whipped cream with coconut whipped cream or add ¼ cup of coconut milk to the mango puree.

Spiced Mango Mousse – Add a pinch of cardamom or cinnamon for a warm, aromatic note.

Citrus Twist – Stir in a bit of lime or lemon zest to add brightness and tang.

Layered Parfait – Alternate layers of mousse with crumbled graham crackers, crushed cookies, or fresh fruit for a more textural experience.

Mango Mousse Tart – Spoon the mousse into a pre-baked tart shell and chill for a fruity, no-bake tart.

Frozen Treats – Pour the mousse into popsicle molds and freeze for a creamy frozen dessert.

Mango-Vanilla Swirl – Mix a bit of vanilla extract into the cream or create a marbled swirl by folding in whipped cream and mango puree in alternating streaks.

Serving Suggestions

Presentation matters, especially for a dessert as elegant as this. Spoon the mousse into clear dessert glasses, wine glasses, or mini jars to showcase its creamy texture and golden color. Garnish with mango slices, fresh mint, or toasted coconut for visual flair.

For a dinner party, serve the mousse with a crisp butter cookie or biscotti on the side. It also pairs well with green tea, white wine, or a tropical cocktail like a mango mojito or sparkling lemonade.

You can also top the mousse with a drizzle of passionfruit pulp, berry coulis, or even a sprinkle of chopped pistachios for a beautiful contrast of flavor and texture.

Make-Ahead and Storage

This mango mousse is an excellent make-ahead dessert. Once spooned into serving containers, it can be refrigerated for up to 2 days, tightly covered with plastic wrap. The flavor actually improves after resting for several hours, as the cream and mango fully meld.

Avoid freezing, as the texture may become icy or watery when thawed. Always serve chilled, and if garnishing with fresh fruit, do so just before serving to maintain freshness.

Leftovers—if you have any—can be stored in the fridge and enjoyed the next day for a refreshing afternoon treat or breakfast indulgence.

Conclusion

Easy Mango Mousse is proof that great desserts don’t need to be complicated. With just three simple ingredients and a little blending and whipping, you can create a tropical delight that feels luxurious, looks impressive, and tastes like sunshine in a glass.

It’s the perfect dessert for those who want something light yet indulgent, simple yet elegant. Whether you’re cooling off after a summer meal, hosting guests, or treating yourself to a fruity pick-me-up, this mousse delivers joy with every spoonful. Creamy, fruity, and wonderfully refreshing, it’s a recipe that’s sure to become a favorite in your warm-weather dessert rotation.

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