Easy Peanut Butter Mousse

Cream cheese, peanut butter, heavy cream, and powdered sugar combine fast in this Easy Peanut Butter Mousse — a fluffy, no-bake dessert everyone loves.

this Recipe

I need to start by being honest: this was never supposed to be a thing.

Picture this. It’s late. I’m standing in my kitchen, hungry for something sweet but not about to bake a whole cake (because let’s be real… dishes). I wasn’t even wearing proper “baking clothes” — think oversized hoodie and socks that do not match.

But I had peanut butter. And cream cheese. And heavy cream. Oh, and sugar. That’s when the lightbulb went off. Or maybe it was just fridge light hitting me in the face. Whatever. The point is — I thought, why not try?

Five ingredients later (okay, six if you count vanilla — optional but nice), I had mousse. Not just mousse, though. Easy Peanut Butter Mousse that tasted like a fancy dessert you get at a restaurant… only I made it in 10 minutes and didn’t have to share (unless you count my very persistent dog).

The next day, I shared it with family. It was gone in record time. My sister even texted later asking, “You still have more of that fluffy peanut butter stuff?” Nope. Not even a spoonful left. That’s when I knew this was going to be my go-to forever.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Peanut Butter Mousse Recipe?

Okay, yes — it’s peanut butter. That already makes it amazing. But it gets better:

• No baking. Nope. Not even a little. The oven can nap today.

• Comes together ridiculously fast. Like, “I need dessert now” fast.

• Fluffy yet rich. Creamy peanut butter vibes but lighter, almost cloud-like.

• Only needs simple ingredients. You probably have them in your kitchen right now.

• Customizable. Wanna swirl in chocolate? Toss in pretzels? You totally can.

Plus, it looks impressive in little serving dishes. People will think you spent forever making it. You didn’t. But let them believe that.

Ingredient Notes:

Let’s chat about the ingredients — they matter, but they’re also super simple.

• Heavy whipping cream (1 cup): This gives the mousse its signature fluffy texture. No cream? No mousse.

• Powdered sugar (1 cup): Adds sweetness and helps the whipped cream hold up.

• Cream cheese (1 cup, softened): Makes it rich and smooth. Plus, a little tang keeps it from being overly sweet.

• Creamy peanut butter (1 cup): The star of the show. Use your fave brand — just not natural peanut butter (too oily, trust me).

• Vanilla extract (optional, 1 tsp): Adds a lil’ depth. Nice but not mandatory.

How To Make Easy Peanut Butter Mousse?

Step 1: Whip the cream.
Grab a big bowl. Pour in the heavy cream and powdered sugar. Start whisking on low unless you enjoy sugar clouds floating all over your kitchen. Once thick, crank up to medium and beat until stiff peaks form. Basically, it should hold its shape but still look soft and pretty.

Step 2: Beat the peanut butter base.
In another bowl, toss together your softened cream cheese, peanut butter, and vanilla. Beat until creamy and smooth. Like, no lumps. Scrape the bowl. No one wants sneaky cream cheese chunks later.

Step 3: Bring it all together.
Take about 1/4 of your whipped cream and stir it into the peanut butter mixture. This makes the next step easier. Then gently (and I mean gently) fold in the rest until fluffy and uniform. No rushing — think of it like you’re tucking it into bed.

Step 4: Chill + serve.
Spoon or pipe into cute serving dishes. Or regular bowls. Whatever you’ve got. Cover and chill for at least an hour. That’s it! Before serving, top with whatever you like. Crushed peanuts, chocolate chips, whipped cream… or just leave it plain. It’s perfect either way.

Storage Options:

• Fridge: Cover tightly and keep up to 3 days.

• Freezer: Not really ideal. It gets icy and weird. Stick to the fridge, trust me.

Honestly though? This mousse usually disappears before storage is even a question.

Variations and Substitutions:

This mousse plays well with others. Try these:

• Crunchy peanut butter: Adds little peanutty surprises.

• Chocolate swirl: Melt some chocolate and swirl it in. Oh yes.

• Add fruit: Sliced bananas or strawberries take this over the top.

• Dairy-free version: Coconut whipped cream + vegan cream cheese work too.

• Add toppings: Pretzels, caramel drizzle, crushed Oreos… all fair game.

What to Serve with Easy Peanut Butter Mousse?

This mousse is a star on its own, but if you’re feeling extra:

• Chocolate cookies or wafers: Great for scooping.

• Fresh berries: Strawberries or raspberries balance the richness.

• Coffee or espresso: Because rich + creamy + bitter = YES.

• Brownie chunks or cake cubes: If you wanna go big.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I have to use powdered sugar?
Yep. It blends easier and keeps the whipped cream stable.

Is natural peanut butter okay?
Wouldn’t recommend it. Too runny and oily for mousse magic.

Can I freeze it?
Not really. It gets icy. Stick to the fridge and enjoy fresh.

If you’ve ever wanted dessert that’s low effort but tastes like you kinda know what you’re doing, this Easy Peanut Butter Mousse is it.

It’s creamy. It’s fluffy. It’s comforting. And honestly? It’s way too easy to eat straight from the bowl while standing at the fridge door (no judgment here).

So — are you in? You should be. When you make it (because I know you will), come back and tell me how it went! Did you add crushed peanuts? Chocolate drizzle? Or just grab a spoon and go for it straight up?

I can’t wait to hear how yours turns out.

Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:

How to Make Mouthwatering Stuffing Balls

Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

Alabama Fire Crackers

Easy Peanut Butter Mousse

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Chill Time 1 hour hr

Cream cheese, peanut butter, heavy cream, and powdered sugar come together to create this Easy Peanut Butter Mousse — a rich, fluffy no-bake dessert that is quick to prepare and perfect for any occasion.

PRINT PIN REVIEW SAVE Saved!

6 Servings

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup cream cheese softened
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

 

Whip the heavy cream.

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat on low speed until the mixture begins to thicken. Increase to medium speed and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

Prepare the peanut butter mixture.

1. In a separate large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, creamy peanut butter, and vanilla extract (if using) until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This process should take approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure there are no lumps.

Combine the mixtures.

1. Add one-quarter of the whipped cream to the peanut butter mixture. Beat until fully blended and smooth. Gently fold in the remaining whipped cream using a spatula until no streaks remain and the mousse appears light and airy.

Chill and serve.

1. Spoon or pipe the mousse into individual serving dishes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the mousse to set.

Optional garnish.

1. Before serving, garnish with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, chopped peanuts, or toppings of your choice, if desired. Serve chilled.

Notes

To make this recipe gluten free, ensure all ingredients are certified gluten free. While the primary ingredients are naturally gluten free, always verify the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to avoid potential cross-contamination. Additionally, be cautious with any optional garnishes such as chocolate shavings or sprinkles, and select certified gluten-free options where necessary.

Bitty

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Let me know! Mention @nodashofgluten or tag #nodashofgluten

Bitty

I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!

nodashofgluten.com/