Fluffy Ricotta Mousse

Indulge in the simplest yet most elegant dessert you’ll ever create: Ricotta Mousse. This exquisite no-bake treat boasts a velvety smooth texture and a subtly sweet flavor that will captivate your senses. Crafted with just four core ingredients, it transforms into a creamy, decadent masterpiece perfect for any occasion, from casual weeknight delights to sophisticated dinner parties. Prepare to be amazed by its effortless preparation and irresistible charm.

Why You’ll Adore This Ricotta Mousse

This Ricotta Mousse isn’t just a dessert; it’s a culinary experience designed for ease, elegance, and pure enjoyment. Here’s why this recipe is destined to become a staple in your kitchen:

• Effortlessly Simple: Forget complicated baking techniques or obscure ingredients. This recipe is incredibly straightforward, making it accessible for even novice cooks. With minimal steps and common pantry items, you can create a dessert that tastes gourmet.
• Quick Preparation: In today’s fast-paced world, time is a luxury. This ricotta mousse comes together in under 10 minutes of active prep time. That’s less time than it takes to preheat an oven, allowing you to whip up a delicious treat without sacrificing your precious evening hours.
• No-Bake Perfection: On scorching summer days or when you simply don’t want to heat up your kitchen, a no-bake dessert is a lifesaver. This mousse requires only chilling to firm up, making it the ultimate cool and refreshing indulgence for any season.
• Light and Creamy Texture: Unlike heavier desserts, this ricotta mousse is wonderfully light and airy, yet remarkably creamy. The careful draining of the ricotta ensures a smooth, luscious consistency that melts in your mouth, offering a truly delightful sensory experience.
• Elegant Versatility: Whether you’re hosting a sophisticated dinner party, celebrating a special occasion, or simply treating yourself to a weeknight delight, this mousse fits every scenario. Its refined appearance and delicate flavor make it versatile enough for formal gatherings, while its ease of preparation makes it perfect for everyday enjoyment.
• Customizable Flavor Profile: While delicious on its own, this mousse serves as a fantastic canvas for various toppings and flavor enhancements. Fresh fruits, a drizzle of honey, or a sprinkle of herbs can transform it to suit your mood or the season.

Light, creamy, and cool, topped with vibrant summer fruits and a golden drizzle of honey, this ricotta mousse is a fuss-free treat that promises to please every palate. If you love simple yet spectacular desserts, you’ll find this recipe utterly irresistible.

For more delectable dessert inspirations, explore our other favorites like the Carrot Coffee Cake, Southern Peach Pie, Eggless Key Lime Pie, Strawberry Shortcake Recipe, and Lemon Sandwich Cookies.

Crafting Your Perfect Ricotta Mousse

Creating this dreamy ricotta mousse is a straightforward process, broken down into a few easy steps. The key to its silky texture lies in properly draining the ricotta and blending the ingredients until incredibly smooth.

1. Prepare the Ricotta (Essential First Step)

   For the best and creamiest results, you’ll want to drain your ricotta cheese overnight. This crucial step removes excess moisture, preventing a watery or grainy mousse. To do this, simply line a fine-mesh strainer with a piece of cheesecloth (or a clean kitchen towel). Spoon the whole milk ricotta into the lined strainer. Gather the edges of the cheesecloth over the ricotta, creating a neat package. Place the strainer over a bowl to catch the draining liquid, then weigh it down gently with another bowl or a small plate. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, though overnight is truly ideal. This extended draining process ensures a wonderfully thick and rich ricotta base.

2. Blend the Ricotta Mixture

   Once your ricotta is thoroughly drained and beautifully firm, it’s time to create the flavor base for your mousse. Transfer the drained ricotta to the bowl of a food processor. Add the vanilla extract for a warm, aromatic note, a generous drizzle of honey for natural sweetness, and a pinch of kosher salt to balance the flavors and enhance the overall taste. Process these ingredients together for about 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture is incredibly smooth and velvety. Be sure to stop and scrape down the sides of the food processor bowl as needed to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated and no lumps remain.

3. Fold in Whipped Cream

   Now for the light and airy texture! In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the cold heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes, but keep a close eye on it to avoid over-whipping. Once the cream is stiff, gently add the prepared ricotta mixture to the whipped cream. Using the electric mixer on a very low speed, give it just a whirl or two until it barely begins to combine. The ricotta mixture is quite thick, so a rubber spatula is best for the final incorporation. Switch to the spatula and carefully fold the two mixtures together, using gentle strokes, until everything is evenly incorporated and the mousse is uniformly light and creamy. Be careful not to deflate the whipped cream.

4. Chill and Serve

   Cover the bowl of the finished ricotta mousse with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. This chilling time is essential for the mousse to firm up and allow the flavors to meld beautifully. For an even firmer texture and deeper flavor, you can chill it overnight. When ready to serve, spoon the luxurious mousse into elegant glass bowls or cups. Garnish generously with a final drizzle of honey, some freshly torn basil leaves for a surprising aromatic touch, and an assortment of colorful fresh fruits like sliced strawberries and plump blueberries. The combination of creamy texture, sweet and savory notes, and fresh fruit is simply divine!

Expert Tips for Ricotta Mousse Perfection

To ensure your ricotta mousse turns out absolutely perfect every time, keep these helpful tips in mind:

• Choose Quality Ricotta and Drain Thoroughly: The quality of your ricotta significantly impacts the mousse. Opt for a high-quality, whole milk ricotta. The most critical step is draining it well, ideally overnight. This process removes excess whey, preventing a watery texture and ensuring a rich, concentrated flavor and smooth consistency. Don’t skip this step!
• Alternative Blending Methods: If you don’t own a food processor or a high-speed blender, don’t worry! You can still achieve a smooth ricotta base. Simply use your electric mixer to whip the drained ricotta, vanilla extract, honey, and kosher salt until it becomes very smooth. It might take a few extra minutes, but the result will still be wonderfully creamy.
• Gentle Folding is Key: When combining the thick ricotta mixture with the delicate whipped cream, be mindful of your technique. Use the electric mixer for only a quick whirl or two to just start the incorporation. Then, switch to a rubber spatula and gently fold the mixtures together. This helps to maintain the airiness of the whipped cream, which is essential for the light mousse texture. Overmixing at this stage can deflate the mousse.
• Plan Ahead for Chilling: While 1 hour of chilling is the minimum, allowing the mousse to refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or even better, overnight, will result in a firmer, more set dessert with more developed flavors. This also makes it an excellent make-ahead option for entertaining.
• Storage Best Practices: Any leftover ricotta mousse should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. Beyond that, the texture might begin to change slightly, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.
• Serving Temperature: This mousse is best served chilled. The cold temperature enhances its refreshing quality and helps to keep its delicate structure intact.

Creative Variations to Elevate Your Mousse

This basic ricotta mousse recipe is a fantastic starting point, but don’t hesitate to experiment with different flavors and textures to make it uniquely yours:

• Nutty Toppings: Add a delightful crunch by topping your mousse with toasted slivered almonds, finely chopped pistachios, or delicate pine nuts. The nutty aroma and texture contrast beautifully with the creamy mousse.
• Fresh Fruit Medley: While strawberries and blueberries are classic choices, feel free to use any fresh fruit in season. Ripe raspberries, juicy blackberries, segmented oranges, or even thinly sliced peaches can add a burst of color and natural sweetness.
• Herbaceous Twists: Instead of basil, consider using fresh mint leaves for a brighter, cooler flavor profile. A sprig of thyme or a hint of rosemary could also offer a surprisingly sophisticated, savory-sweet element.
• Sweetener Swaps: Replace honey with pure maple syrup for a different kind of earthy sweetness, or use agave nectar for a vegan-friendly option if adjusting other ingredients.
• Citrus Zest Infusion: For a zesty kick, finely grate the zest of a lemon, lime, or orange into the ricotta mixture during the blending step. The citrus oils will add a bright, aromatic lift to the mousse.
• Chocolate Indulgence: Fold in a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder into the ricotta mixture for a chocolate ricotta mousse, or sprinkle grated dark chocolate on top for a luxurious finish.
• Spiced Warmth: A tiny pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom can add a subtle warmth, especially appealing during cooler months.
• A Touch of Balsamic: For a truly gourmet experience, try a very light drizzle of good quality balsamic glaze over the fruit topping. The acidity beautifully cuts through the richness of the mousse and highlights the fruit’s sweetness.

Explore More No-Bake Desserts

If you’re a fan of fuss-free, delicious treats that don’t require an oven, you’ll love these other no-bake dessert ideas:

Ricotta Mousse Recipe

This ricotta mousse is a creamy, velvety smooth, decadent dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Only 4 ingredients whipped up in under 10 minutes!

5 from 2 votes

Print
Pin
Rate

Course:
Dessert

Cuisine:
American

Prep Time:

10 minutes
minutes

Chilling Time:

1 hour
hour

Servings:
4

Calories:

436
kcal

Author:
Leigh Harris

Ingredients

• 
  
  16
  oz
  Whole milk ricotta
  (15-16oz) well drained
  
  
• 
  
  1 1/2
  tsp
  Vanilla extract
  
  
• 
  
  2
  tbsp
  Honey
  more for garnish
  
  
• 
  
  1/8
  tsp
  Kosher salt
  
  
• 
  
  1
  cup
  Heavy cream
  cold
  
  

Garnish

• 
  
  Sliced strawberries, fresh blueberries, torn fresh basil, and honey
  
  

Instructions

1. Place the ricotta in a cheesecloth-lined fine mesh strainer, and wrap the cheesecloth over the top of the ricotta. Place it over a bowl, weigh it down, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, overnight is best.
   16 oz Whole milk ricotta
2. In the bowl of a food processor or blender process the drained ricotta, vanilla extract, honey, and kosher salt until very smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Scraping down the sides as needed.
   1 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract,
   2 tbsp Honey,
   1/8 tsp Kosher salt
3. In a large bowl using an electric mixer whip the heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks, 1-2 minutes. Add the ricotta mixture and give it a whirl or two using the electric mixer just until it starts to mix. Then switch to a rubber spatula and fold the mixture until it is evenly incorporated.
   1 cup Heavy cream
4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until it is firm, up to overnight. Serve in a glass bowl or cup, and garnish with honey, torn fresh basil, and fresh fruit.
   Sliced strawberries, fresh blueberries, torn fresh basil, and honey

Notes

When using the electric mixer to blend the ricotta and whipped cream together, only mix just a little to get it to start combining. The ricotta mixture is very thick and a little difficult to blend at the beginning. Once it’s lightly combined, switch to a rubber spatula and fold gently to maintain the mousse’s light and airy texture.

Nutrition

Calories:
436
kcal

|

Carbohydrates:
14
g

|

Protein:
14
g

|

Fat:
36
g

|

Saturated Fat:
23
g

|

Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g

|

Monounsaturated Fat:
10
g

|

Cholesterol:
125
mg

|

Sodium:
185
mg

|

Potassium:
183
mg

|

Fiber:
0.02
g

|

Sugar:
11
g

|

Vitamin A:
1379
IU

|

Vitamin C:
0.4
mg

|

Calcium:
275
mg

|

Iron:
1
mg