If fall had a texture, it would be this apple cinnamon mousse. It’s light and fluffy whipped cream folded together with warm, spiced apple butter, cinnamon, and a little maple syrup, and it tastes like apple pie filling turned into a cloud. Best part? It takes 5 minutes and you never turn on the oven.
This mousse is a perfect Fall dessert, just like pumpkin spice icebox cake and even a cinnamon roll milkshake!
I make this every Thanksgiving (along with some of my other Thanksgiving recipes!) because my oven is completely booked that day, and this apple mousse can be made ahead and tucked in the fridge. My kids love helping fold everything together (and sneaking spoonfuls when they think I’m not looking). If your family loves cinnamon as much as mine does, this one is going to be on repeat all season.
You are going to love this recipe! Once the weather starts cooling off, bring me all the warm, cozy spices! My family and I absolutely love apple cinnamon mousse because it’s the perfect mix of sweet, creamy, and just a little bit cozy.
The fluffy whipped cream combined with the spiced apple butter makes it feel like fall in every bite. Plus, anything with cinnamon instantly gets a thumbs-up around here just like my apple cinnamon chia seed pudding! If you love making homemade mousse, check out my peanut butter mousse and 3 ingredient chocolate mousse too!
You seriously will not believe how easy this is to make! I love how quickly I can whip this up, especially when I want something homemade but don’t have a ton of time. The kids even get involved by helping fold in the cream. There's nothing I love more than an easy no bake dessert! This recipe is great to make for Thanksgiving, along with all the no bake Thanksgiving recipes, because you can make it ahead of time and save on that oven space!
What is Apple Butter?
Apple butter is a highly concentrated form of applesauce that’s cooked slowly until the sugars caramelize, giving it a rich, spiced flavor. You can find it in most grocery stores near the jams and spreads. It is always in my refrigerator during the Fall because it adds a bit of warmth to whatever it is added to. With the leftover apple butter, make an apple cinnamon dip!
Ingredients to Make Apple Cinnamon Mousse
- Apple butter. This is what gives the mousse it's warm, cozy flavor.
- Powdered sugar. Don't use granulated sugar. It will make your mousse a little too grainy.
- Heavy cream. Make sure it is very cold.
- Maple syrup. For a little added sweetness and more Fall flavors.
Be sure to check out the printable recipe card for full recipe information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
- Make it caramel! Who doesn't love a caramel apple! Drizzle some caramel sauce over the top of the mousse. Then use the rest of the caramel to make a caramel milkshake. Thank me later!
- Make it thicker! To make this mousse a little thicker, add a scoop of Greek yogurt to the stiff peaks. This will also increase the protein too!
- Change how you garnish this mousse! There are so many different ways that you can garnish this mousse. Crushed graham crackers, chopped nuts, a drizzle of caramel, or some ground cinnamon are all delicious ways to garnish this mousse.
How to Make Apple Mousse (Step by Step)
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, add the heavy cream. Whip until still peaks form. A hand mixer will work in whipping the cream too.
Step 2: Add the powdered sugar, apple butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and maple syrup.
Step 3: Fold all the ingredients together until everything is incorporated. Be very careful when folding in the ingredients. You don't want to deflate the fluffy mousse.
Step 4: Serve chilled topped with cinnamon, chopped walnuts, or diced apples.
Lynn's Tip!
For the best results when whipping cream, chill the mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 15 minutes before starting. This helps the cream whip faster and hold its shape better.
Tips for the Fluffiest Cinnamon Mousse
- When whipping the cream, stop as soon as stiff peaks form to avoid turning it into butter.
- When folding in the ingredients, it's important to do it really gently. You don't want to deflate the cream by mixing the ingredients too forcefully.
- If you don't have apple butter, you can use unsweetened applesauce for a lighter flavor, though the texture may be a bit looser.
How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Mousse
I love spooning this into little clear cups for Thanksgiving dessert so everyone gets their own. For a parfait, layer it with crushed graham crackers and diced apples, and it tastes just like apple crisp. You can also serve it as a dip with apple slices and cinnamon graham crackers, which is how my kids like it best. A drizzle of caramel on top never hurts either! I love serving it alongside no bake pecan pie bars, and may even tip a bar into the mousse!
Storage Instructions
This is a great recipe to make ahead of time! It will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days if kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
If you would like to freeze it, I would suggest turning the mousse into popsicles and enjoying it frozen. You can fill the popsicles with the mousse and freeze it for 3-4 hours. It won't defrost well, so it's better to freeze it and then enjoy it frozen.
Make Ahead for Thanksgiving
This is my go-to make-ahead holiday dessert. Make it up to 2 days ahead, spoon it into serving cups, cover them, and keep them in the fridge. Add your toppings right before serving so the graham crackers and nuts stay crunchy. It frees up the oven and gives you one less thing to worry about on the big day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Swap the heavy cream for coconut cream.
Definitely! If you have homemade apple butter, feel free to use that!
If you don't have homemade whipped cream or prefer to not make it, you can use store bought whipped cream. Don't use the stuff in the can, cool whip would work instead.
It tastes like apple pie filling whipped into something light and creamy. The apple butter gives it deep, cozy apple flavor, the cinnamon and maple syrup add warmth, and the whipped cream keeps it airy instead of heavy.
Yes, you can use unsweetened applesauce instead, but the mousse will be looser and the apple flavor a bit lighter. I like to add an extra pinch of cinnamon and chill it for at least an hour so it firms up a little.
It keeps in the fridge for 2 to 3 days in an airtight container, so it’s perfect for making the day before a party or holiday. Add your toppings right before serving.
Apple Cinnamon Mousse (with Apple Butter!)
Equipment
- Stand Mixer
- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Heavy Cream
- ½ cup Powdered Sugar
- ¼ cup Apple Butter Store bought or homemade
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 2 tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the heavy cream. Whip until still peaks form.
- Add the powdered sugar, apple butter,cinnamon, vanilla, and maple syrup.
- Carefully fold all the ingredients together until everything is incorporated. You don't want to deflate the cream by mixing the ingredients too forcefully.
- Serve chilled topped with cinnamon, chopped walnuts, or diced apples.
Notes
- When whipping the cream, stop as soon as stiff peaks form to avoid turning it into butter.
- For the best results when whipping cream, chill the mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 15 minutes before starting. This helps the cream whip faster and hold its shape better.
- This is a great recipe to make ahead of time! It will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days if kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator
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