This easy Caramel Mousse recipe is one of my favourite make-ahead desserts. Made with just 3 ingredients and only 10 minutes of prep, it's rich, creamy and perfect for serving in individual dessert jars for dinner parties or whenever you need an effortless no-bake dessert.
Over the years, some of the most popular dessert recipes on Sandhya’s Kitchen have been simple no-bake treats like Mango Mousse, No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe and 10-Minute Tiramisu Jars. They’re the kind of desserts I make when I want something easy, reliable and guaranteed to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
Honestly, this is now one of my favourite make-ahead desserts because it’s incredibly simple but still feels special enough for guests and celebrations. I first made this caramel mousse recipe for a last-minute dinner party dessert, and everyone immediately asked for the recipe.
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Why Add Cream Cheese To Caramel Mousse?
I’ve also tested this mousse without cream cheese before, thinking it would still hold up well. While the flavour was lovely, the mousse turned out much softer and didn’t set properly after chilling. Adding cream cheese makes a huge difference to the texture and gives the mousse that rich, silky consistency while still keeping it light and airy.
If you enjoy easy no-bake desserts, you’ll also love my Mango Mousse and Eggless Chocolate Mousse recipes.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Made with just 3 ingredients.
- Ready with only 10 minutes of prep.
- Easy no-bake caramel dessert recipe.
- Rich creamy and fluffy texture.
- Perfect make-ahead dessert for parties and holidays.
- No eggs or gelatine needed.
- Easy dessert recipe for beginners.
Top Tips
- Use cold heavy cream (in the US) or whipping cream / double cream (in the UK) for the best fluffy mousse texture. The key is to use cream with atleast 36% fat.
- Don’t overwhip the cream or the mousse can become grainy.
- Chill the mousse covered with a plastic wrap for at least 2 hours before serving for the best texture.
- It will take a lot of effort to whip the cream by hand. I highly recommend using an electric mixer or an electric whisk to speed up the process.
- Use a piping bag to pipe the caramel mousse into dessert glasses or mason jars for an elegant presentation.
- If making ahead for a party, garnish just before serving
Ingredients
- Heavy Cream – I use whipping cream for this recipe here in the UK but double cream works well too. Use cream with at least 35% fat and make sure it’s well chilled before whipping for the best light and fluffy mousse texture.
- Cream Cheese – Full-fat cream cheese works best for a rich and stable mousse. I’ve tried making caramel mousse without cream cheese too but the texture turned out much softer and didn’t hold its shape as well after chilling.
- Caramel – I use Nestlé Carnation Caramel from a tin. It gives the perfect caramel flavour and consistency for this easy caramel mousse recipe.
Variations
- Sea Salt – Add a pinch of sea salt for an easy salted caramel mousse variation.
- Chocolate – Top with grated chocolate or chocolate curls before serving.
- Coffee – Add a teaspoon of instant coffee for a subtle caramel coffee flavour.
- Biscoff Crumbs – Crushed Lotus Biscoff biscuits add a delicious crunch.
- Nuts – Toasted pecans or hazelnuts work beautifully with caramel flavours.
How To Make Caramel Mousse?
Step 1: Add heavy cream to a large mixing bowl and whip until firm peaks form. If you turn the bowl, the peak still holds.
Step 2: In another small bowl, whisk the cream cheese and caramel until smooth and fully combined.
Step 3: Fold the whipped cream gently into the caramel mixture.
Step 4: Spoon or pipe the caramel mousse into dessert jars, glasses or ramekins. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.
Salted Caramel Mousse Recipe
To make a salted caramel mousse, swap the caramel for my homemade Salted Caramel Sauce. It adds a deeper caramel flavour with the perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness.
Let the sauce cool completely before folding it into the whipped cream and cream cheese mixture to keep the mousse light, fluffy and smooth. You'll find the exact ingredient quantities and instructions in the recipe card below.
Any leftover salted caramel sauce can be stored in the fridge and used as a drizzle for ice cream, brownies, cheesecakes, pancakes, waffles or coffee.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving these caramel mousse jars with a little caramel drizzle at the bottom before piping in the mousse. They look elegant, are perfect for dinner parties, and make beautiful individual desserts.
They're delicious on their own, but you can also top them with:
- Chocolate chips
- Crushed Biscoff biscuits
- Fresh berries
- Extra whipped cream
- Toasted nuts
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, cover the dessert jars or transfer the mousse to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like serving it straight from the fridge when it's nice and chilled.
Freezing Instructions
This caramel mousse also freezes well. Freeze it in individual dessert jars or airtight containers for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. The texture may be a little softer after thawing, but it still tastes delicious.
Caramel Mousse FAQ's
Yes absolutely. I often use double cream here in the UK and it works beautifully in this mousse recipe.
Usually this happens if the cream was not whipped enough or if the mousse did not chill long enough in the fridge. Using low-fat cream cheese can also affect the texture.
Yes you can use dulce de leche instead of caramel for a deeper richer caramel flavour
You can, but the mousse will have a much softer set consistency and may not hold its shape as well after chilling. Cream cheese helps stabilise the mousse while adding richness.
Absolutely. This easy caramel mousse recipe uses just 3 ingredients and takes only 10 minutes to prepare making it perfect for beginners.
Yes. This is one of the best make-ahead dessert recipes because it can be prepared 1 to 2 days in advance.
Yes. Dessert jars are ideal for serving caramel mousse as they're easy to prepare ahead, simple to transport and perfect for dinner parties.
More Easy No Bake Desserts in Jars Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 cup cream double cream/heavy cream/whipping cream
- 1 cup caramel sauce or dulce de leche
- 1 cup cream cheese
Instructions
- Place the double cream in a mixing bowl. Whisk until you have stiff peaks.
- In another bowl whisk caramel and cream cheese until well combined.
- Add the whipped cream in 2 steps and fold it in with a spatula.
- To serve, pipe the mousse into jars and enjoy. To make it fancy, add 2 teaspoons of caramel sauce at the base, top with caramel mousse, and finish with whipped cream and chocolate chips.
Video
Notes
Use a cream with atleast 36% fat. I prefer whipping cream as its lighter and airier than double cream.
Shreya says
This caramel mousse was absolutely delicious.. We made it last night for England vs Norway match- super hit.