Dulce de Leche Mousse Recipe

Silky Dulce de Leche Mousse Recipe: A Dreamy Sweet Treat

Creamy dulce de leche mousse promises a silky, decadent dessert that melts effortlessly on your palate.

Sweet caramel notes dance through each light, airy spoonful.

Rich argentinian traditions inspire this delightful treat with its luxurious texture.

Whipped cream and condensed milk blend into a cloud-like confection that feels indulgent yet surprisingly simple.

Minimal ingredients create maximum satisfaction in this elegant dessert.

Home cooks can easily master this impressive recipe with just a few strategic steps.

You’ll want to savor every heavenly bite of this dreamy, caramel-infused mousse.

Why Dulce de Leche Mousse Feels Like a Dream

  • Craft a Luxurious Dessert: Elevate your culinary skills with this sophisticated dulce de leche mousse that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy treat.
  • Zero Complex Techniques: Perfect for home bakers of all skill levels, this recipe requires basic mixing and folding techniques anyone can master without professional training.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Indulgence: Combines rich caramel flavors with creamy texture that appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family gatherings or elegant dinner parties.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dessert in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing you to focus on other meal preparations while having a stunning dessert ready to impress guests.

Dulce de Leche Mousse Ingredient Breakdown

Dairy Base:
  • Heavy Cream: A rich, creamy ingredient that provides volume and lightness to the mousse.
  • Cream Cheese: Delivers a smooth, tangy foundation for the dessert's base.
  • Milk: Helps dissolve gelatin and creates a silky texture.
Sweeteners and Flavor:
  • Dulce de Leche: A luxurious caramel sauce that gives the mousse its signature sweet, rich flavor.
Stabilizers and Enhancers:
  • Gelatin Powder: Provides structure and helps the mousse set perfectly.
  • Sea Salt: Adds a subtle contrast to the sweet caramel flavor.
Garnish and Texture:
  • Pecans: Offers a crunchy contrast to the creamy mousse.

How to Make Dulce de Leche Mousse in Minutes

Step 1: Bloom The Gelatin

Sprinkle gelatin powder over cold water and let it sit quietly for 5 minutes. This magical process helps the gelatin dissolve smoothly and create a perfect texture for your mousse.

Step 2: Whip The Cream

Grab a chilled mixing bowl and whip heavy cream until soft, billowy peaks emerge. Pop the whipped cream in the refrigerator to keep it cool and ready.

Step 3: Smooth Out The Cream Cheese

Using an electric mixer, transform cream cheese into a silky, creamy base. Work it until no lumps remain and the texture is absolutely smooth.

Step 4: Swirl In Caramel Goodness

Fold dulce de leche into the cream cheese, creating a luscious caramel-colored mixture that will make taste buds dance with excitement.

Step 5: Warm The Milk

Heat milk in a saucepan until steaming, then remove from the stove. This gentle warming helps ingredients blend perfectly.

Step 6: Dissolve The Gelatin

Pour the bloomed gelatin into warm milk, stirring until it completely disappears into a smooth liquid.

Step 7: Combine Milk And Cream Cheese

Merge the milk-gelatin mixture into the cream cheese base, mixing until everything is beautifully integrated.

Step 8: Fold In Whipped Cream

Gently incorporate the chilled whipped cream into the caramel mixture. Use a light touch to preserve those airy, delicate air bubbles.

Step 9: Transfer To Serving Vessels

Carefully spoon the mousse into elegant serving glasses or a decorative bowl, creating anticipation for the delightful dessert.

Step 10: Chill And Set

Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, allowing the mousse to firm up and develop its luxurious texture.

Step 11: Garnish With Flair

Before serving, drizzle extra dulce de leche on top. Sprinkle:
  • Chopped pecans
  • A delicate pinch of sea salt

Step 12: Serve And Savor

Present the chilled mousse and watch everyone swoon over this decadent, silky dessert.

Top Tips for Creamy Dulce de Leche Mousse

  • Chill Mixing Bowl: Refrigerate your mixing bowl and whisk for 15 minutes before whipping cream to ensure maximum volume and stability.
  • Control Gelatin Texture: Bloom gelatin precisely at room temperature and dissolve completely in warm milk to prevent lumpy or grainy mousse consistency.
  • Fold Gently: Use a spatula with smooth, bottom-to-top circular motions when incorporating whipped cream to maintain the mousse's light, airy structure.
  • Balance Sweetness: Sprinkle sea salt on top to cut through the richness of dulce de leche, creating a more complex and balanced flavor profile.
  • Prepare Ahead: Make the mousse a day in advance and store covered in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and texture to set perfectly.

Fun Flavor Twists on Dulce de Leche Mousse

  • Chocolate Caramel Crunch: Add melted dark chocolate to the cream cheese mixture and top with crushed chocolate-covered toffee bits for extra texture and richness.
  • Salted Almond Swirl: Mix crushed roasted almonds into the mousse and garnish with almond slivers and a caramel drizzle for a nutty enhancement.
  • Coffee Caramel Infusion: Incorporate espresso powder into the milk-gelatin mixture and top with chocolate-covered espresso beans for a sophisticated flavor profile.
  • Coconut Caramel Dream: Blend shredded coconut into the mousse and garnish with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical-inspired dessert variation.

Great Pairings for Dulce de Leche Mousse

  • Harmonize Caramel Notes with Sweet Wines: Select late harvest Riesling or Moscato d'Asti to complement the dulce de leche's rich sweetness, creating a luxurious dessert experience that enhances the mousse's creamy texture.
  • Boost Nutty Undertones with Aged Spirits: Pair with aged rum or bourbon to amplify the caramel's depth, adding a sophisticated warmth that echoes the pecans' subtle crunch and balances the dessert's silky smoothness.
  • Elevate Flavor with Textural Contrasts: Serve alongside crisp almond biscotti or thin wafer cookies, providing a delightful crunch that cuts through the mousse's velvety consistency and adds an elegant counterpoint to the sweet profile.

Storing Dulce de Leche Mousse Made Simple

  • Store the mousse in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping its creamy texture and preventing absorption of other food odors.
  • Transfer mousse to a freezer-safe container, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 weeks; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to maintain its smooth consistency.
  • Wrap each serving glass separately with plastic wrap to preserve freshness and prevent crystallization, ensuring the mousse remains creamy and delectable.
  • Always use clean utensils when serving and keep the mousse away from strong-smelling foods to maintain its delicate caramel flavor.

Dulce de Leche Mousse FAQs for Beginners

  • Why do I need to bloom gelatin?

Blooming helps gelatin dissolve smoothly and prevents lumps, ensuring a silky texture in your mousse without any grainy consistency.

  • Can I use different types of milk?

Whole milk works best for richness, but you can substitute with 2% milk if needed. Avoid skim milk as it lacks the necessary fat content for a creamy mousse.

  • What if my cream cheese is too cold?

Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free base that blends easily with dulce de leche.

  • How do I know when the whipped cream is ready?

Stop whipping when soft peaks form – when you lift the beater, the cream should create gentle, soft peaks that slightly fall back, indicating perfect consistency.

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Dulce de Leche Mousse Recipe

Dulce de Leche Mousse Recipe


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4.5 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Silky dulce de leche mousse whispers sweet indulgence from Argentina’s culinary heart, blending creamy caramel with luxurious texture. Chocolate shavings and a sprinkle of sea salt complete this elegant dessert you’ll crave after every meal.


Ingredients

Scale

Dairy

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup dulce de leche
  • 8 oz cream cheese

Sweeteners and Stabilizers

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 packet gelatin powder

Garnish

  • 1/4 cup dulce de leche (for topping)
  • 2 tbsp chopped pecans
  • 1 pinch sea salt

Instructions

  1. Activate gelatin by sprinkling powder over 2 tablespoons cold water, allowing it to bloom for 5 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Whip heavy cream in a chilled mixing bowl until soft peaks form, then refrigerate temporarily.
  3. In a separate large bowl, blend cream cheese until smooth and creamy using an electric mixer.
  4. Gently fold dulce de leche into cream cheese, creating a uniform caramel-colored mixture.
  5. Warm milk in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming, then remove from heat.
  6. Slowly incorporate bloomed gelatin into warm milk, stirring until completely dissolved.
  7. Pour milk-gelatin mixture into cream cheese mixture, mixing until fully integrated.
  8. Gently fold whipped cream into the caramel base, maintaining a light and airy texture.
  9. Transfer mousse into individual serving glasses or a large decorative bowl.
  10. Chill in refrigerator for minimum 3 hours or until mousse sets firmly.
  11. Before serving, drizzle additional dulce de leche on top, sprinkle chopped pecans, and add a delicate pinch of sea salt.
  12. Serve chilled and enjoy the luxurious, silky dessert.

Notes

  • Chill all equipment like mixing bowls and whisks beforehand to ensure maximum cream volume and stability during whipping.
  • Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother blending and preventing lumpy texture in the mousse.
  • Select high-quality dulce de leche for richer caramel flavor and more authentic taste experience.
  • Fold ingredients gently to maintain the light, airy texture, using a bottom-to-top motion to preserve whipped cream’s structure.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Latin American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 366
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 103 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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