Winter Wonderland-Inspired Mousses

This winter try gorgeous wintery, ‘snow-kissed’ desserts made with white chocolate, spiced ginger, vanilla and other seasonal flavours to usher in the spirit of winter

This winter, look beyond chocolate, pecan, red velvet and coffee and explore dreamy wintery themes for your desserts. Decadent, luxurious, winter wonderland-inspired mousses are the best things you can serve this season.

Think snow-kissed vanilla mousses with a dusting of powdered sugar, or a frosted berry medley that incorporates all winter berries layered with some fresh cream, or maybe even a whimsical winter forest mousse with layers of white chocolate or spiced cake resembling tree barks and edible silver or gold accents

If you want ideas for Yule or Winter Solstice-inspired desserts, bring in some joie de vivre and seasonal joy into your dinner with winter wonderland-themed mousses

Peppermint Snowflake Mousse

A peppermint mousse is the perfect festive dessert; a classic white chocolate or vanilla mousse that can be made with crushed peppermint candies or peppermint extract. This is also an eggless recipe and can be topped with a fun, snowflake-shaped white chocolate piece and crushed candy canes!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
• White chocolate shavings

Instructions:

• Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form and add powdered sugar, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract. Gently fold them in.
• In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
• Now fold the whipped cream mixture into the cream cheese and blend until it has meshed Add crushed peppermint candies or candy canes to the mixture. Fold them in gently.
• Spoon the mousse into serving glasses or bowls.
• Refrigerate the mousse for at least 2 hours. right before serving it, top it with white chocolate snowflakes

Gingerbread Spice Mousse

If you're wary of the same old festive flavours, try a spiced mousse base with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. This gingerbread mouse will fill you with the spirit of the season. A good trick is to add molasses or gingerbread spice for a bracing effect. You can also layer the mousse with crushed gingerbread cookies or add a dollop of whipped cream for the Winter Wonderland effect. Here's how you should go about this recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Gingerbread cookies (optional)

Method:

• Heat molasses over low heat until it is pourable. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
• In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
• In another bowl, mix the molasses, brown sugar, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt
• Add the cream cheese to the molasses mixture and beat until smooth and creamy.
• Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture and add vanilla extract
• Continue the folding process until the mousse is fluffy.
• Spoon the mousse into serving glasses or bowls.
• Refrigerate the mousse for at least 2 hours
• Garnish with crumbled gingerbread cookies

White Chocolate Pomegranate Mousse

Add a dash of colour to this dreamy white mousse with dried cranberries or cranberry sauce; the tartness of pomegranate boosts the sweetness in white chocolate. Try adding more texture by way of crushed nuts or added dried fruits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• ½ cup pomegranate seeds
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• Cranberries for garnish (optional)

Method:

• Mix in pomegranate, water, and granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat for about 8 minutes
• In a heatproof bowl, melt the white chocolate chips stirring until smooth. Allow it to cool slightly.
• In a bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form and in another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
• Add the melted white chocolate and vanilla extract to the cream cheese, and mix well
• Gradually fold the whipped cream into the white chocolate mixture until smooth and well incorporated.
• Add the cooled pomegranate mixture to the bowl and fold it into the mousse, for a swirled effect.
• Sift in the powdered sugar and continue to fold until the mousse is smooth
• Refrigerate the mousse for at least 2 hours
• Before serving, garnish with additional cranberries