Dulce de Leche Mousse

Dulce de Leche Mousse is the epitome of creamy indulgence. Made with just three simple ingredients, this dessert effortlessly blends the richness of cream cheese with the sweet, caramelized notes of dulce de leche. Each spoonful melts in your mouth, offering a perfect balance of flavors and an airy texture that is both light and satisfying. It’s a dessert that can easily impress at any dinner party, yet is simple enough to whip up as a weekday treat.

Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just in need of a quick sweet fix, this mousse is a versatile dessert that can be dressed up or down. Serve it in elegant glasses with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for a fancy touch, or enjoy it straight out of the bowl for a more casual delight. No matter how you present it, this Dulce de Leche Mousse promises to be a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Full Recipe:

8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature

8 oz heavy cream
1 cup dulce de leche

Directions:

Whip the heavy cream in a large bowl at high speed until stiff peaks form. Use an electric mixer or stand mixer for best results. Transfer to a separate bowl.
In the same mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese and dulce de leche until light and fluffy.
Gently fold in ⅓ of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Mix well.

Slowly fold in the remaining whipped cream, combining everything gently.
Spoon or pipe the mousse into small serving bowls. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate to chill and firm up.

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes
Kcal: 423.4 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

About Dulce de Leche Mousse

Dulce de Leche Mousse is a rich and creamy dessert that captures the essence of caramel in every spoonful. It’s a quick and easy dessert made with only three ingredients: cream cheese, heavy cream, and the star of the show, dulce de leche. This mousse is known for its luxurious texture, which is both light and airy, resembling a fusion of custard, ice cream, and whipped cream. The simplicity of this recipe, combined with its decadent flavor, makes it a popular choice for both casual family dinners and elegant gatherings.

What is Dulce de Leche?

Dulce de leche is a traditional Latin American treat that literally translates to “sweet milk.” It’s made by slowly heating sweetened milk until it caramelizes and transforms into a thick, spreadable sauce. The result is a rich, sweet, and creamy concoction with a distinct caramel flavor. It is often used in desserts, either as a filling, a topping, or an ingredient that adds depth and sweetness to a dish. Unlike regular caramel, which is made from sugar and water, dulce de leche has a more complex flavor due to the caramelization of milk sugars.

Why This Recipe Works

Minimal Ingredients: With just three ingredients, this mousse comes together quickly and easily, making it a perfect dessert for last-minute occasions.

Creamy and Light: The whipped cream adds a light, fluffy texture, while the cream cheese provides a creamy base that balances the sweetness of the dulce de leche.
Versatile: This mousse can be enjoyed on its own or dressed up with various toppings like coconut shreds, sea salt, cocoa powder, or chocolate syrup for added flavor and texture.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare this mousse in advance and chill it in the fridge, making it a convenient option for parties or gatherings.

Serving and Presentation Ideas

Elegant Plating: Serve the mousse in small dessert glasses or ramekins. Add a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of cocoa powder, or a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce on top for an elegant presentation.
Garnishes: Enhance the mousse with toppings like toasted coconut shreds, a pinch of sea salt, or chocolate shavings. Fresh fruit, such as berries, can add a pop of color and a hint of tartness that complements the sweet mousse.
Accompaniments: Pair the mousse with shortbread cookies, graham crackers, or even as a filling for crepes and profiteroles. It also works beautifully as a layer in trifles or parfaits.

Variations and Toppings

Coconut Dulce de Leche Mousse: Add a tropical twist by folding in some shredded coconut into the mousse or sprinkling it on top for a crunchy texture.
Salted Caramel Mousse: Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the mousse just before serving to create a delightful contrast of flavors.
Chocolate Swirl: Before piping the mousse into serving dishes, swirl in some melted chocolate or chocolate sauce to create a marbled effect.

Mousse Cake Frosting: Use this mousse as a frosting or filling for cakes and cupcakes. It pairs exceptionally well with chocolate, vanilla, or banana-flavored cakes.

Tips for the Perfect Mousse

Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth and lump-free mixture. This step is crucial to achieve a creamy texture.
Whip the Cream Properly: Whipping the heavy cream to stiff peaks is essential for the mousse’s airy texture. Be careful not to overwhip, as it can turn into butter.

Gentle Folding: When folding the whipped cream into the dulce de leche mixture, do so gently to retain the mousse’s light and fluffy consistency.
Chill for Best Results: While you can enjoy this mousse immediately, chilling it in the refrigerator for at least an hour helps it set and enhances the flavor.

Storage and Shelf Life

Refrigeration: Store the mousse in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The mousse will firm up slightly as it chills but will remain creamy.

Freezing: While not typically recommended for mousses, this recipe can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw it in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. Note that the texture may change slightly after freezing.

Cultural Background and Origins

Dulce de leche has deep roots in Latin American cuisine, with Argentina, Uruguay, and Mexico being among the countries that lay claim to its origin. This sweet, caramel-like sauce is a beloved staple across many Latin American households, often used as a topping for desserts, spread on bread, or eaten directly from the jar. The term “dulce de leche” means “sweet milk,” and its rich, caramelized flavor comes from slowly heating sweetened milk until it thickens and browns.

In Argentina, it’s a cultural icon, used in everything from alfajores (shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche) to ice creams. The mousse version of this classic combines the familiar sweetness of dulce de leche with a light, airy texture that transforms it into an elegant dessert suitable for any occasion. This mousse encapsulates the essence of Latin American dessert traditions while offering a modern twist that is easy to prepare.

Ingredient Deep Dive

Cream Cheese: The cream cheese in this recipe acts as a creamy base that balances the sweetness of the dulce de leche. It adds a tangy flavor that enhances the mousse’s overall taste. Make sure to use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor. Using low-fat versions may result in a mousse that is less creamy and rich.
Heavy Cream: Also known as double cream in some countries, heavy cream is the key to achieving the mousse’s light and airy texture. When whipped to stiff peaks, it provides structure to the mousse without weighing it down. Ensure that the cream is cold before whipping, as this helps it reach the desired consistency more quickly.
Dulce de Leche: This is the star ingredient, providing the mousse with its characteristic caramel flavor. While store-bought dulce de leche works perfectly, homemade versions can be even more flavorful. There are several varieties of dulce de leche available, from thick and spreadable to a more sauce-like consistency. For this recipe, a thicker variety is preferable to ensure the mousse holds its shape.

Advanced Serving and Presentation Ideas

Layered Parfait: For a more sophisticated presentation, layer the mousse in glasses with alternating layers of crushed graham crackers, chocolate shavings, or fresh fruit. This not only adds texture but also makes for an eye-catching dessert.
Tart Filling: Use the mousse as a filling for a pre-baked tart shell. Top with fresh berries, a drizzle of melted chocolate, and a sprinkling of sea salt for a stunning dessert centerpiece.
Flavored Variations:
- Coffee-Infused Mousse: Add a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder to the cream cheese and dulce de leche mixture for a mocha-flavored mousse.
- Nutty Crunch: Fold in a handful of toasted, chopped nuts such as pecans or hazelnuts for a bit of crunch and a nutty flavor that complements the caramel notes.

Pairing Suggestions

Beverage Pairings: This mousse pairs beautifully with a variety of beverages. For a sophisticated pairing, serve with a glass of dessert wine, such as a Moscato or late-harvest Riesling, which have the sweetness to match the mousse. For a non-alcoholic option, a rich cup of coffee or espresso works wonderfully to balance the mousse’s sweetness with its bitter notes.

Complementary Desserts: Serve alongside other Latin American desserts for a themed dessert spread. Consider offering alfajores, churros with chocolate sauce, or a slice of flan. This creates a diverse and indulgent selection for guests to enjoy.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Mousse

Stabilizing the Mousse: If you want to make sure the mousse holds its shape for longer periods, especially for events, you can stabilize it by adding a teaspoon of gelatin dissolved in water to the cream cheese mixture before folding in the whipped cream.
Achieving the Perfect Consistency: The key to achieving a perfect mousse consistency lies in the folding process. When incorporating the whipped cream into the dulce de leche mixture, use a gentle folding motion. This helps to retain the air in the whipped cream, ensuring a light and fluffy mousse.

Temperature Considerations: Always use cold heavy cream for whipping. The colder the cream, the easier it will whip to stiff peaks. On the other hand, the cream cheese should be at room temperature to blend smoothly with the dulce de leche.

Creative Uses for Leftover Mousse

If you have leftovers (though that’s rare because it’s so delicious), here are some creative ways to use them:

As a Cake Filling: Use the mousse as a filling for cakes, cupcakes, or even cream puffs. It adds a rich, caramel flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate or vanilla cakes.

Frozen Treat: Freeze the leftover mousse in small molds or ice cube trays to create a frozen mousse treat. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving for a creamy, ice-cream-like dessert.
Breakfast Treat: Spread a dollop of mousse over pancakes, waffles, or toast for a decadent breakfast or brunch option.

Nutritional Information

While the mousse is an indulgent dessert, it is surprisingly simple in terms of ingredients. Here’s a closer look at its nutritional profile:

Caloric Content: At approximately 423 kcal per serving, the mousse is rich and satisfying. The calories mainly come from the cream cheese and heavy cream, which provide fats that contribute to the mousse’s luxurious texture.
Carbohydrates: With 30.3g of carbohydrates per serving, most of the sugars come from the dulce de leche, giving the mousse its characteristic sweetness.
Protein: Each serving contains about 7g of protein, mainly from the dairy components. This adds a slight nutritional boost, making it a somewhat more balanced dessert compared to other sugary treats.

Fats: The high-fat content (31.4g per serving) is what gives this mousse its creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It is meant to be an indulgent treat, so savor each spoonful.

Conclusion

Dulce de Leche Mousse is a dessert that combines simplicity with sophistication. It’s a treat that can be prepared in just minutes but has a flavor profile that suggests it took much longer to create. Whether you’re serving it at a casual family dinner or an elegant dinner party, this mousse is sure to impress. Its versatility allows it to be customized with various toppings, and its ease of preparation makes it a go-to dessert for any occasion. With its creamy texture and rich caramel flavor, Dulce de Leche Mousse is a timeless dessert that never fails to delight.