Creamy Spiced Pumpkin Granola Cups
With warmer days and social gatherings ahead, it’s time for a fresh twist on dessert. Skip the pavlova and try this silky, spiced pumpkin mousse—a perfect blend of creamy pumpkin purée, tangy cream cheese, and the gentle sweetness of brown sugar.
Ingredient List
- 180 g light soft cheese, at room temperature
- 100 g light brown soft sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or mixed spice
- 425 g tin pumpkin purée
- 300 ml double cream
- 2 Nature Valley™ Crunchy Canadian Maple Syrup Snack Bars, roughly crushed
Preparation
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Make the Creamy Base
Bring cream cheese to room temp, then beat with soft brown sugar and a pinch of cinnamon or spice until smooth and silky. -
Add Pumpkin Purée
Blend in 400g of canned or homemade pumpkin purée until fully combined. Fresh pumpkin? Just steam and purée until smooth. -
Whip the Cream
Whip 300ml double cream until soft peaks form. Set aside a quarter of it for topping later. -
Fold Together
Gently fold three-quarters of the whipped cream into the pumpkin mix to keep the mousse light and airy. -
Portion into Cups
Spoon mousse into 6 dessert glasses. Smooth the tops for a clean look. -
Top & Garnish
Add a dollop of the reserved whipped cream. Crush 2 Nature Valley™ Canadian Maple Syrup Bars and sprinkle generously over each mousse for a crunchy finish. -
Extra Tips
Chill mousse up to 2 hours before serving, but add granola topping just before to keep it crunchy.
Swap granola flavours like Almond or Oats & Honey to match your mood! -
Serve & Enjoy
This velvety mousse with spiced pumpkin and crunchy granola is a showstopper—perfect for casual get-togethers or cosy nights in.
Why you'll love this recipe
This deliciously smooth and gently spiced dessert brings warmth and indulgence to any gathering. The combination of velvety pumpkin purée blended together with rich cream cheese creates a luxurious texture that's wonderfully balanced by a touch of cinnamon or your favourite mixed spice.
How to customise the recipe for your taste
Swap Nature Valley™ Crunchy Canadian Maple Syrup Snack Bars for other Nature Valley™ Crunchy snack bar varieties easily found in Australia—such as Oats & Honey or Roasted Almond—to explore different textures and subtly change the flavour profile of your mousse.
Cooking Tips and Tricks
- For an extra flavourful mousse, roast fresh pumpkin cubes with a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon before blending into a purée. Roasting brings out a richer, sweeter taste and makes your dessert even more delicious.
- If you’re short on time, prepping the pumpkin purée a day before is a smart move. Simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge, so it’s ready to blend when making the mousse.
- Nature Valley’s Crunchy Canadian Maple Syrup bars provide a tasty finishing crunch to this mousse, but you can always mix it up. Try using Honey & Oats Crunchy bars or even Nature Valley’s Nut Butter varieties for a nutty twist.
- When folding whipped cream into the pumpkin mixture, it’s important to be gentle, ensuring a smooth and airy texture. Overmixing can cause your mousse to lose its fluffiness.
- Presentation makes all the difference. Serve your mousse in clear glass containers or small ramekins to showcase the inviting dessert layers—guaranteed to impress your guests.
- Store leftovers, minus the granola topping, in the fridge and enjoy within two days. Remember to add your chosen crunchy topping just before serving to retain its satisfying texture.
- Make your mousse feel extra special with a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes or a dusting of cocoa powder right before serving. Small touches like these make the dessert truly memorable for all occasions.
- Keep ingredients at room temperature when blending; this ensures even mixing and a smooth silky texture that everyone will enjoy.
Troubleshooting Guide
While this dessert is beautifully straightforward to make, we’ve put together some handy tips to resolve the occasional hurdles you might face in your kitchen. Feeling unsure of your mousse consistency? If your pumpkin mousse ends up a bit runny, ensure you’re folding the whipped cream gently into the pumpkin mixture rather than stirring aggressively.
