Vanilla mousse is the perfect light dessert for any occasion. With just two ingredients and only 15 minutes of prep time, this elegant treat is surprisingly simple to make. Get ready for a celebration of flavors with this silky-smooth vanilla parfait that’s both effortless and indulgent!
If you’re looking for a vanilla mousse recipe that’s both simple and luxurious, you’re in the right place. Unlike heavy desserts, mousse has a light, airy texture that melts in your mouth. The secret to achieving this perfect consistency lies in gently folding the whipped cream mixture into the base to create a cloud-like texture.
One of the best things about this vanilla parfait is its versatility. You can serve it as is or layer it with vanilla custard for a richer dessert. This dessert is easy to customize; you can make individual servings in small glasses or assemble it in a grand trifle-style parfait. Since it requires minimal effort, it’s perfect for both beginner and experienced bakers. With the right balance of sweetness and creaminess, this vanilla mousse is sure to impress!
Content Covered Here
Why We Love This Vanilla Mousse Recipe
- This dessert is easy to make.
With just three simple ingredients, this vanilla dessert comes together effortlessly—no eggs, gelatin, or complicated steps required—making it perfect for a quick after-dinner treat or a stunning party dessert.
Another black-and-white dessert idea you might enjoy is our chocolate sourdough bread pudding, served with vanilla sauce for bread pudding over the top. This dessert is not only impressive, but also simple to prepare and delicious! - This dessert is perfect to make with store-bought ingredients.
There’s no need to prep anything in advance for this layered dessert. Gather your ingredients from the store and mix them together when you’re ready to enjoy your meal. - Whip up fast for unexpected company!
This 15-minute dessert will prepare you for unexpected guests.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Vanilla pudding mix: You’ll need the 3.4-ounce box of instant pudding mix for this recipe.
- Heavy whipping cream: To make the mousse light and fluffy, you’ll need to use the highest-fat cream – which is heavy whipping cream. There are no other alternatives here.
- Chocolate bread: Soft homemade or store-bought chocolate bread is a great option.
Recipe Variations
- Chocolate swirl mousse: Gently fold in melted chocolate for a marbled effect.
- Berry bliss parfait: Layer with fresh berries or oven-dried strawberries for a fruity contrast.
- Nutty crunch: Top with almonds or crushed cookies for added texture.
- Coffee-infused mousse: Stir in a teaspoon of espresso for a mocha-flavored twist and extra vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract for that vanilla flavor.
- Pastry cream fusion: Layer with pastry cream or a custard mixture for an extra decadent dessert.
Equipment Used in this Recipe
- Stand mixer and whip attachment or electric hand mixer
- Medium mixing bowl
- Pastry bag – fitted with large star tip
How to Make Vanilla Parfait
- Make a light and fluffy mousse.
To make this delicious mousse parfait, start by adding heavy whipping cream and dry pudding mix to a large bowl. Using an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whisk the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy. Keep whipping until soft peaks form and the texture thickens—when you lift the back of a spoon, it should hold its shape with tiny bubbles throughout.
- Cube the bread into bite-size pieces.
Since the bread will be served in small cups or bowls for this mousse pudding, each piece must be small enough to ensure the perfect bite.
You don’t want giant chunks that require multiple bites. That can get quite messy!
- Use a pastry bag to pipe the mousse.
Make these desserts 5-star restaurant-worthy by piping the mousse into the cups.
Do this by scooping mousse into a pastry bag fitted with the tip of your choice.
Use your hands to move the mixture toward the tip of the bag and then gently squeeze the mousse into the cups in a circular fashion.
- Layer the ingredients.
For the perfect presentation, layer the mousse, bread, and toppings of your choice in clear cups or bowls.
Start with a layer of mousse, then bread, mousse again, then whipped cream, and chocolate shavings.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Chill the serving glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before assembling your parfaits. This helps the mousse stay cool and firm, ensuring a perfect texture when served!
Serving Suggestions
Vanilla parfait is a versatile dessert that can be dressed up or kept simple to suit any occasion. Serve them with fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for a refreshing contrast to the whipped cream mixture, or top them with oven dried strawberries for a unique twist. For a more indulgent presentation, drizzle with caramel or chocolate sauce and finish with a dollop of frosting or whipped cream.
Do you want to add some texture to your vanilla mousse recipe? Pair your vanilla mousse recipe with a crisp cookie, cupcakes, or a slice of our blueberry pound cake recipe. If you’re serving them at a fancy gathering, accompany them with a glass of chilled dessert wine, a hot cup of espresso, or a refreshing iced coffee. These parfaits, whether for brunches, dinner parties, or a simple treat, are sure to impress!
Recipe FAQs
If your mousse turns out too thin, it’s probably because you didn’t whip the heavy whipping cream long enough. You’ll want to mix the cream and pudding mix together until it’s thick.
We love using homemade chocolate sourdough bread, but you can use store-bought bread, brownies, or even cake.
Yes! We recommend using a chocolate pudding mix if you want to try another flavor.
If you have leftovers, the ingredients for this black-and-white dessert are best stored separately.
Keep the mousse and bread cubes in their containers in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Freezing isn’t a fantastic idea since the texture of the pudding will become grainy when thawed.
It’s so easy to make, though! When you’re ready for this dessert again, you can easily whip up more.
No, egg whites and whole milk won’t work as substitutes for heavy cream in this whipped vanilla cream. Heavy whipping cream has the necessary fat content to create the rich, stable texture needed for mousse. Egg whites can be whipped into meringue, but they won’t provide the same creamy consistency. Whole milk lacks enough fat to whip properly, so the mousse won’t hold its shape. For the best results, stick with heavy whipping cream!
Love Dessert Ideas? Here’s More…
If you tried this vanilla mouse parfaits recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Vanilla Mousse
Equipment
- stand mixer - and whip attachment OR
- electric hand mixer - AND
- medium mixing bowl
- pastry bag - fitted with large star tip
Ingredients
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix *this is the smaller sized box
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups chocolate sourdough bread cubes (3-4 slices of bread) or cake/brownies/chocolate dessert of choice
Instructions
- To the bowl of a stand mixer or a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the pudding mix and heavy cream.
- Using a stand mixer (fitted with a whip attachment) or an electric hand mixer, start combining the ingredients on low speed, gradually increasing to medium-high. Continue mixing until the consistency is light, fluffy, and thick.
- Spoon the vanilla mousse into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip (or you can use a small spoon). Pipe or spoon about one-half of the mixture evenly amongst 6 parfait glasses.
- Arrange bite sized cubes of your chocolate dessert evenly over the mousse, then pipe or spoon the remaining mousse over the top. Garnish parfaits with shaved chocolate, if desired.
Notes
- Chocolate swirl mousse: Gently fold in melted chocolate for a marbled effect.
- Berry bliss parfait: Layer with fresh berries or oven-dried strawberries for a fruity contrast.
- Nutty crunch: Top with almonds or crushed cookies for added texture.
- Coffee-infused mousse: Stir in a teaspoon of espresso for a mocha-flavored twist and extra vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract for that vanilla flavor.
- Pastry cream fusion: Layer with pastry cream or a custard mixture for an extra decadent dessert.
- Chill the serving glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before assembling your parfaits. This helps the mousse stay cool and firm, ensuring a perfect texture when served!
- If you have leftovers, the ingredients for this black-and-white dessert are best stored separately.
- Keep the mousse and bread cubes in their own containers in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- Freezing isn’t a great idea since the texture of the pudding will become grainy when thawed.
- It’s so easy to make though! When you’re ready for this dessert again, you can easily whip up more.
Nutrition
Save This Recipe!
Enter your email below, and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox.
Andrea says
I love a fabulously easy and decadent dessert like this light and fluffy vanilla mousse parfait.
Shweta says
This was so easy to make and the kids had a blast doing this with me! Can’t wait to make it again!
Beth says
I have never seen parfaits made with sourdough bread before! This sounds seriously amazing.
Toni says
This is such a great addition to our holiday menu!! It is so good!
Vicky says
“These Fluffy Vanilla Mousse Parfaits look so pretty! The delicate balance of flavors and textures make it the perfect holiday dessert!