Apple Pistachio Mousse

Festive desserts

Apple Pistachio Mousse is light, airy, creamy, crunchy, and mouthwatering to taste. It totally is that festive dessert you want to keep coming back to for seconds!

Just the combination of sweet apples with the crunchy pistachios makes this eggless mousse a delectable sweet treat! Plus, it's a no-cook,no-bake recipe!

I am a sucker for easy desserts. It's quick to put them together and they can be made without a fuss. Check out this Jhajhariya dessert recipe. It's made in the microwave!

I have been making these mousse cups for dessert for Rakshabandhan for three years in a row! We love it! Since this is such an easy recipe, I wanted to share it with all of you.

BTW, mousse is a French dessert! In old French, “mousse” actually means “froth.” It's a fluffy and airy dessert similar to a pudding.

What is Rakshabandhan

Before you know it, the holiday season will soon be upon us. For us, Indians, beginning next week we have all our major Hindu festivals lined up one after the other.

Starting with Karadaiyan Nonbu - a festival for married women across South India followed by Raksha Bandhan.

Here the sisters of all ages tie a thread, talisman, or amulet, called the Rakhi, around the wrists of their brothers, symbolically protecting them.

The brothers in turn also vow to protect their sisters at all times and give them gifts in exchange for the rakhi.

Celebrating this festival

Traditionally, this festival is celebrated grandly across India except in the South of India and we are South Indians. But that didn't stop us from celebrating this festival. 

Living in a cosmopolitan city like Bombay made that happen. When we as kids saw the whole city celebrating this day with so much vigor, I insisted that we celebrate it too.

Our parents agreed instantly and since then I have been tying a rakhi to my younger brother. Mom would always make Paal Poli every Raksha Bandhan which we would devour.

Now that my brother and I live on different continents, it's difficult to be together during this festival. We have to settle for rakhi and gifts shipped via Amazon and video calls.

It's not the same feeling of celebration but what else can one do?  The same is the case with KR and his sister. It is in moments like these you miss living with family even more.

Why make this

This mousse is like a cheesecake in a jar! This decadent dessert is a burst of flavors in the mouth. It is sweet, tart, and crunchy all at the same time.

• It's an eggless mousse recipe
• Apples are the hero here
• Can be served in cups or individual jars
• It's a no-cook, no-bake recipe
• A gluten-free dessert
• Can be made in 15 minutes
• Made with just 6 ingredients
• A great make-ahead dessert
• Ideal for large groups
• It's a beautiful no-fuss dessert

Apples - Get juicy red apples for this recipe. The sweeter it is the better.

Pistachios - I used whole nuts and chopped them using this nuts chopper.

Cream Cheese - I have used original cream cheese in this eggless cheesecake-style mousse recipe. You can also use low-fat cream cheese as well.

Make sure to take it out of the fridge a few hours before you plan to make this mousse so that it softens up. 

Sour Cream - Lite sour cream is what I have used here. It gives this mousse a nice tangy flavor.

Sugar - White granulated sugar or caster/powdered sugar can also be used.

Saffron is an optional ingredient. You can use it as a garnish for an aromatic flavor.

Besides these ingredients, you will also need small glass jars/cups to serve this mousse. If you like serving food in small jars, then check out Mango Cranachan and Dahi Vada recipe.

1. The first step is washing the apples well and scraping off the wax with a knife. Chop them finely using a chopper. There is no need to peel them. Chef Tip - Transfer it to a bowl and add lemon juice to it. This prevents it from blackening. Let the apples rest in there till you prepare the mousse.
2. In another mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese, sour cream, and sugar.

3. Using an electric hand blender, beat the mixture till light and creamy. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to fully incorporate everything.
4. Then strain the apples and add them to this bowl along with chopped pistachios. Reserve some for garnish.

5. Fold in the mixture using a silicone spatula.
6. Portion into small bowls or glass jars. Use a piping bag if needed. Place them into the refrigerator and allow them to chill for 2 hours. Then cover them with cling wraps till it's time to serve.

Serving suggestions 🍽 

Before serving, garnish it with some chopped apples, pistachios, and saffron strands (optional). Serve these cheesecake mousse cups chilled.

You can also serve them in a gigantic martini glass serving dish, mini mason jars, small bowls, cocktail glasses, or disposable glasses.

This delicious mousse can be served on any special occasion like baby showers, birthdays, anniversaries, parties, Valentine's day, game nights, or date nights.

It's perfect for the festive season like Rakshabandhan, Janmashtami, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi, Thanksgiving, Christmas, July 4th, or for New Year's party.

Actually, it's a super versatile treat that you can have any time of year! If you are like us, you can also enjoy this Apple Pistachio mousse as something sweet after a meal.

BTW, if you are a fan of cheesecakes, then check out this Chai Cheesecake and Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicle recipe.

Top recipe tips 💭

Wash the apples well and scrape off the wax on them with a knife before using them. There is no need to peel the skin.

If you want a smoother texture, grate the apples instead of chopping them. Instead of apples, feel free to use any other fruit like mango, frozen berries, chickoo, etc.

Saffron is optional. Add it as a garnish if you have it handy. Even cardamom can be added. Adjust sugar according to the sweetness of the apples.

Recipe FAQs

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