Rabri Mousse & Thandai Mousse: 2 Creamy Desserts to Try This Holi

Do you crave something innovative in classic Holi sweets? While gujiyas and malpuas generally hog the limelight, sometimes you just wish to have a dessert that's not only good but also light and cool. This is where Rabri Mousse and Thandai Mousse step in. These mousse sweets borrow inspiration from classic Indian desserts and transform them into light, smooth melt-in-the-mouth sweets perfect for celebrating Holi.

Rabri Mousse combines the rich, cardamom-flavored taste of rabri with the lightness of whipped cream. It gives the tradition of an old-world sweet with the silky lightness of a mousse's bite. Thandai Mousse does the same to the traditional Holi drink, Thandai. With its combination of scented spices, nuts, and rose flavors, this mousse is a cool and creamy dessert that perfectly accompanies the colorful zest of Holi. Whether enjoyed in dainty glasses or in bite-sized shots, these desserts are guaranteed to bring a personal touch to your festivities. Let's proceed with how to prepare these two yummy mousses and learn some expert tips on how to get them just perfect.

Recipe: Rabri Mousse

Ingredients:

• 1 cup homemade or store-bought rabri
• 1 cup fresh cream
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• ¼ cup chopped pistachios and almonds
• A few strands of saffron (optional)
• Edible rose petals (for garnish)

Method:

• If store-bought rabri is used, make sure it is thick and well chilled. When making it at home, boil milk until thick, add sugar, cardamom, and saffron, and cool completely.
• Whip fresh cream with powdered sugar in a bowl till soft peaks are formed.
• Fold in the rabri very gently into the whipped cream till well combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the mousse light and airy.
• Fill the mixture into serving glasses. Garnish with chopped nuts and rose petals. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

Recipe: Thandai Mousse

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh cream
• 2 tbsp thandai syrup or 2 tsp thandai powder
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• ½ cup white chocolate, melted
• 1 tsp rose water
• ¼ cup chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios)
• A pinch of saffron strands
• A few dried rose petals (to garnish)

Method:

• Whip fresh cream and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the thandai syrup or powder, melted white chocolate, rose water, and saffron. Mix until smooth.
• Transfer the mixture to glasses or serving bowls. Decorate with rose petals and chopped nuts.
• Chill the mousse in the fridge for 2-3 hours to set before serving.

5 Holi Mousse Tips to Make Excellent Mousse

Begin with Refrigerated Ingredients

The key to making light and smooth mousse is starting with chilled cream. Cold cream whips quickly and holds better. During warm weather, refrigerate the mixing bowl and beaters for a few minutes and then whip the cream. It will provide stable mousse consistency.

Don't Overmix

Fold ingredients into the whipped cream gently. Overmixing will ruin the air you've whipped in, making you with a heavy instead of light mousse. Fold using a spatula, pushing it in a sweeping motion from the bottom up to preserve the airy texture of the mousse.

Add Melted Chocolate Gradually

For the Thandai Mousse, add the melted white chocolate gradually and do not allow it to be too hot. A temperature shock can cause the mousse to seize and turn lumpy. Ideally, let the chocolate cool slightly before adding it in to ensure the mousse remains smooth and creamy.

Maintain Sweetness with Spices

Both thandai and rabri have strong tastes. While adding sugar, it is advisable to taste the mixture beforehand to avoid making it too sweet. Cardamom, saffron, and rose water not only provide flavor but also maintain the sweetness, giving a balanced taste to the mousse.

Refrigerate Properly for Best Results

Mousse must be refrigerated. Refrigerate the dessert at least 2-3 hours prior to serving to achieve the right consistency. If possible, prepare the mousse a day ahead. This will allow the flavors to get perfectly mixed up while the mousse will set to perfection to enjoy during your Holi celebration