6 Magical Cranberry Mousse Cups to Wow Your Guests

If you’ve been craving something sweet, bright, and just a little bit fancy without spending your whole evening in the kitchen, these Cranberry Mousse Cups are about to be your new dessert crush. Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner, wrangling picky eaters, or simply treating yourself after a long day (I see you!), this recipe brings together creamy comfort and festive flair in the easiest, most delightful way.

As someone who built Chicken Magic Recipes on making real-life cooking feel fun instead of stressful, I love desserts like this—simple steps, gorgeous colors, and flavors that make everyone at the table go, “Wait… YOU made this?” And yes, you absolutely did.

These Cranberry Mousse Cups check every box: creamy, tangy, light, and elegant. Plus, they use everyday ingredients you likely already have floating around during the holidays. Let’s make some magic.

Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Mousse Cups

These Cranberry Mousse Cups are the kind of dessert that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a cozy bakery without leaving home. They’re:

• Easy to assemble (no baking, no stress).
• Perfectly balanced with sweet vanilla and tart cranberry.
• Great for busy days because they chill while you do literally anything else.
• Make-ahead friendly, which is basically a love letter to every mom, multitasker, and holiday host out there.

And truly, the layers are as pretty as they are delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cranberry Mousse Layer

• 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A few drops of pink or red gel food coloring (optional)
• 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
• 2 tablespoons cold water (for blooming gelatin)
• ¾ cup heavy cream (cold)

Vanilla Mousse Layer

• 1 cup heavy cream (cold)
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
• 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
• 2 tablespoons cold water (for blooming gelatin)

Garnish

• Sugared cranberries (optional)
• Fresh mint leaves

How to Make These Dreamy Cranberry Mousse Cups

1. Make the Cranberry Purée

In a medium saucepan, add the cranberries, sugar, water, orange zest, and orange juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring now and then, until the berries burst and the mixture thickens—about 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and press everything through a fine mesh sieve. (This step makes your mousse insanely silky.) Stir in the vanilla and let it cool slightly.

Little story time: I first made this purée for a cheesecake topping, and my family loved it so much that it became my go-to “holiday flavor booster.” Now it stars in one of my favorite mousse desserts.

2. Bloom the Gelatin for the Cranberry Layer

Sprinkle the teaspoon of gelatin over 2 tablespoons of cold water. Let it sit for 5 minutes—it will look a little lumpy, but don’t panic. That’s exactly what it’s supposed to do.

Gently heat the gelatin until melted, then stir it into the warm cranberry purée. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.

3. Whip and Fold for the Cranberry Mousse

Using a chilled bowl, whip the ¾ cup of heavy cream until soft peaks form.

Fold the cooled cranberry mixture into the whipped cream. Go slow and gentle to keep that mousse fluffy. Add a couple drops of gel food coloring if you want a brighter pink hue (personally, I love the natural cranberry blush, but you do you!).

4. Prepare the Vanilla Mousse

Bloom the second teaspoon of gelatin in 2 tablespoons cold water. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then heat gently until dissolved.

In another chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla bean paste. Once soft peaks form, stir in the warm gelatin.

The vanilla layer is sweet, creamy, and dreamy—like a cloud wearing a cozy sweater.

5. Assemble the Cranberry Mousse Cups

Spoon or pipe the vanilla mousse into the bottom of 6–8 small dessert glasses.

Top with the cranberry mousse, smoothing the layers or keeping them rustic—both styles look gorgeous.

Chill the cups for at least 2 hours. The gelatin works its magic while you take a well-deserved break.

6. Garnish and Serve

Right before serving, add your sugared cranberries and a sprig of mint. It’s the perfect finishing touch—fresh, festive, and absolutely Instagram-worthy.

Tips for Perfect Cranberry Mousse Cups

• Use cold cream—it whips faster and keeps the mousse light.
• Don’t rush the cooling step for the cranberry mixture. Warm purée melts whipped cream (ask me how I know…).
• Want sharper layers? Pipe instead of spooning. Piping = instant pastry chef energy.
• No gel food coloring? Skip it! The cranberries provide gorgeous natural color.
• If your mousse looks slightly lumpy, give it a gentle mix. It will still taste amazing—promise.

FAQs About Cranberry Mousse Cups

Bring the Magic Home with These Cranberry Mousse Cups

These Cranberry Mousse Cups are a beautiful blend of tart, sweet, creamy, and festive—with no special equipment or pastry school diploma required. They’re the kind of dessert that turns an ordinary night into something special and makes holidays feel just a bit more magical.

From my kitchen to yours, I hope these mousse cups bring joy to your table and maybe even start a new family tradition. Whether you’re serving guests or savoring a quiet moment for yourself, this dessert delivers elegance with almost no effort.

Now go ahead—grab those cranberries and whip up something wonderful.

More Holiday Treats to Sweeten Your Season

If these Cranberry Mousse Cups made your heart (and taste buds) happy, you’re in for a treat—here are a few more festive favorites your family will absolutely love. Each one pairs beautifully with the bright, cozy flavors of cranberry and winter baking. Think of this as your little holiday dessert playlist:

• If you love that sweet–tart cranberry magic, you have to try my Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath — it’s stunning, gooey, and the kind of appetizer that disappears in minutes.
• For a warm, rustic dessert that tastes like it came straight from a charming seaside bakery, check out the Nantucket Holiday Cranberry Pie — simple, cozy, and unbelievably delicious.
• Craving something bite-sized and party-ready? My Baked Cranberry Brie Bites are the perfect blend of flaky, creamy, and festive.
• And if you’re in the mood for another creamy, dreamy cranberry dessert, don’t miss the Cranberry Cream Cheese Crumb Pie — it’s like your favorite holiday cheesecake and crumb cake joined forces.

Feel free to explore, mix, match, and make your holiday table even more magical. Your kitchen is about to smell incredible!

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