Creamy Peanut Butter Mousse Recipe
There’s absolutely nothing like sinking your spoon into a chilled, cloud-like bowl of Creamy Peanut Butter Mousse. This irresistible dessert combines the silky richness of cream cheese and heavy cream with the bold, nutty charm of peanut butter—finished with a gentle touch of sweetness and the faintest hint of vanilla. Whether you’re a die-hard peanut butter fan or just love easy, no-bake treats, this is the kind of recipe that makes both weeknights and special occasions feel a little extra magical. Each creamy bite melts away on your tongue and is guaranteed to win over the whole table.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Creamy Peanut Butter Mousse pulls its weight, contributing something truly special to the final dish. With just a handful of simple staples, you get a mousse that’s fluffy, sumptuous, and full of flavor—no fussy techniques or hard-to-find elements required!
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Whipping it to stiff peaks ensures the mousse is airy and light, yet indulgently smooth.
- Cream Cheese (softened): Adds luxurious body and a slight tang, making every spoonful taste like a dreamy peanut butter cheesecake.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Opt for your favorite brand—this is the soul of the dessert, providing deep peanut flavor and velvety texture.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the mousse while dissolving easily for that essential, smooth finish.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a splash rounds out and enhances all the creamy, nutty notes.
- Whipped Cream & Crushed Peanuts (optional): The perfect garnish for an elegant finish and a pop of crunch.
How to Make Creamy Peanut Butter Mousse
Step 1: Whip the Cream
Start by pouring your cold heavy whipping cream into a chilled mixing bowl. Whip it using a hand mixer or stand mixer until stiff peaks form—this means when you lift the beaters, the cream holds its shape with a soft curl. Setting the cream aside at this stage ensures that it’ll gently incorporate later, keeping the mousse light rather than dense.
Step 2: Blend Cream Cheese and Peanut Butter
Add the softened cream cheese and creamy peanut butter to a separate large bowl. Beat them together until fully blended and satiny smooth. The cream cheese gives the mousse its signature richness and stability, while the peanut butter lays down that unmistakable flavor foundation we all love. Make sure there are no lumps left—the smoother, the better!
Step 3: Sweeten and Flavor
Sprinkle in the powdered sugar and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat again until everything is completely mixed and the mousse base looks light and fluffy. This step not only sweetens the deal but brings out the very best of the peanut butter’s nutty depth with the warming aroma of vanilla.
Step 4: Fold in the Whipped Cream
Now for the magic moment—gently fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture. Use a spatula and light, sweeping motions to avoid deflating all that gorgeous air you whipped in earlier. Keep folding just until you don’t see any white streaks. At this point, the mixture will be dreamy and mousse-like.
Step 5: Spoon, Chill, and Set
Spoon the mousse evenly into individual serving dishes or small glasses. Cover them and pop into the fridge for at least two hours. This resting time lets the flavors mingle and the mousse set to perfect, silky firmness. All that’s left is to garnish as desired and enjoy!
How to Serve Creamy Peanut Butter Mousse

Garnishes
A final flourish always takes your Creamy Peanut Butter Mousse up a notch. Try a big swirl of whipped cream and a graceful dusting of crushed peanuts for that ideal mix of creamy and crunchy. A few chocolate shavings or a drizzle of honey can also make each serving look like it came from a fancy café.
Side Dishes
This mousse is rich and satisfying on its own, but for fun, consider pairing it with fresh berries for a zesty contrast. If you love chocolate, offer thin chocolate wafer cookies or a crisp biscotti for dipping. Even simple shortbread makes an elegant, buttery partner to the peanutty goodness.
Creative Ways to Present
Dress up your Creamy Peanut Butter Mousse in unexpected ways—layer it in jars with crushed chocolate cookies for a parfait, swirl in some warmed jam for a PB&J-style twist, or pipe it into chocolate cups for individual treats. Let its versatility spark your imagination, whether for dinner parties or after-school surprises.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (good luck with that!), cover the mousse dishes tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the mousse to an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to three days, retaining its creamy texture without weeping or separating.
Freezing
The mousse can be frozen for longer storage—simply spoon into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to one month. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before serving, and give it a quick whisk for extra smoothness if needed. The flavor holds up beautifully, and it almost tastes like peanut butter ice cream when semi-frozen!
Reheating
Creamy Peanut Butter Mousse is best enjoyed chilled, not warm, so reheating isn’t necessary. If it’s been frozen, just allow it to come back to fridge temperature slowly. Stir gently to restore its signature fluffiness before serving.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add delightful texture and little nutty bits throughout the mousse. Your overall mousse will be a bit less smooth, but the contrast is a fun twist, especially if you enjoy extra crunch.
Is there a way to make it lighter or lower in calories?
You can use reduced-fat cream cheese and natural peanut butter for a lighter version, and substitute a light whipped topping for the heavy cream if desired. Keep in mind, the mousse will lose a bit of richness, but you’ll still get plenty of creamy peanut butter flavor.
Can I make Creamy Peanut Butter Mousse ahead of time?
Yes, and it’s actually better when made ahead! The mousse needs at least two hours to chill and set, but making it up to 24 hours in advance gives even more time for the flavors to develop.
What if I don’t have an electric mixer?
No worries—you can whip the cream by hand with a sturdy whisk (it’ll take some elbow grease), and mix the other ingredients by hand, too. Just make sure the cream cheese is fully softened for the smoothest results, and mix until totally lump-free.
Can I layer this mousse with other desserts?
Definitely! Try alternating layers of Creamy Peanut Butter Mousse with chocolate pudding, crumbled cookies, or even banana slices for a creative parfait. The mousse holds its shape well and mingles beautifully with chocolate, fruit, or both.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to dive your spoon into this lusciously simple Creamy Peanut Butter Mousse. It’s a dessert that delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss, transforming everyday ingredients into a treat everyone will rave about. Give it a try and share a bowl with someone you love—you may just discover your new favorite comfort dessert!
Print
Creamy Peanut Butter Mousse Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Description
Indulge in the creamy decadence of this no-bake Creamy Peanut Butter Mousse. A luscious blend of peanut butter, cream cheese, and whipped cream, this dessert is rich, satisfying, and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Mousse:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Garnish (optional):
- Whipped cream
- Crushed peanuts
Instructions
- Whip the Cream: In a chilled mixing bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Prepare the Peanut Butter Mixture: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- Combine: Gently fold whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture until no streaks remain.
- Chill: Spoon mousse into individual serving dishes. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Garnish: Garnish with whipped cream and crushed peanuts if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and natural peanut butter.
- This mousse also works well layered with crushed chocolate cookies for a parfait-style dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 90mg