This 2-ingredient vanilla mousse is the kind of dessert busy moms dream about. It's rich, fluffy, and ready in just five minutes, no baking, no fuss, just sweet perfection. Whether you serve it as an afterschool snack or dress it up with fruit or cookies for a holiday dessert buffet, it's guaranteed to wow every time.
TL;DR - Vanilla Mousse (with instant pudding)
✨ Everything you need to know at a glance
- 🍨 Why you'll love it: Creamy, fluffy, and made with just 2 ingredients, no cooking required!
- 🥣 Ingredients: Instant vanilla pudding + heavy cream (that's it!).
- 🔥 How to make it: Whisk pudding mix + heavy cream until thick and fluffy → chill → serve.
- ⏲️ Time: 5 minutes hands-on, 30 minutes chill.
- ❄️ Storage: Keeps 3-4 days in the fridge; serve chilled.
- ✨ Why this recipe is different: No eggs, no gelatin, and no stress, just mousse magic in minutes.
- 🍮Easily swap the pudding flavor: Once you know the method for making mousse with pudding, swap the flavors with great results. Try making my butterscotch pudding pie or a simple chocolate mousse.
Summarize and save this recipe!
Jump to:
Key Ingredients
- Instant Pudding: I have only tested this recipe with Jell-o instant vanilla pudding. Other vanilla pudding mixes will likely work, but be sure they say "instant", not "cook & serve". This recipe is written for instant pudding mixes that are 3.4-3.9oz boxes, the little ones, not the big ones.
- Heavy whipping cream: It's a must. No substitutions this time.
Easy Variations to Try
Once you've mastered the base vanilla mousse, the possibilities are endless:
- 🍫 Chocolate Mousse: Swap the vanilla pudding for chocolate and top with mini chips or shaved chocolate. (You'll love my 2-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse for a deeper cocoa flavor.)
- ☕ Espresso Mousse: Stir in 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder or a splash of brewed coffee before whipping for a café-style dessert.
- 🍓 Berry Parfait Mousse: Layer your vanilla mousse with fresh berries or Blueberry Puree for a quick no-bake dessert.
- 🍯 Caramel Swirl Mousse: Gently fold in a spoonful of caramel sauce or dulce de leche right before serving.
How to make vanilla mousse
Step 1: Pour the instant vanilla pudding mix in a medium sized mixing bowl. To that, add the heavy whipping cream.
Step 2: With a hand mixer, start mixing slowly at first (so you don't get pudding mix powder everywhere) and then once the two ingredients are combined, beat until you get a light and fluffy whipped pudding mixture.
Step 3: The consistency should be close to a thick buttercream frosting. Once you are done mixing it's ready to enjoy. If you aren't enjoying it right away, store in the fridge until you are ready to serve the mousse.
Three favorite ways to serve vanilla mousse
- As a dip for sliced fruits, graham crackers or pretzel rods. Much like my cake batter dip, it's super versatile
- As a filling for sufganiyot at Hanukkah. Make any donut recipe you like and use whipped vanilla mousse as the inside.
- As a dessert cup in small mason jars. Spoon mousse over crushed cookies or cubes of Cake Mix Cookie Bars for a fun layered dessert.
- In a pudding parfait layered with graham cracker crumbs or vanilla granola. Add in sliced bananas for a twist on a banana cream pie or layer with espresso soaked lady fingers and chocolate chips for a twist on tiramisu.
Recipe FAQ's
I like to serve vanilla mousse in small ice cream dishes and then put out toppings for people to customize. It's a fun way to let people feel included in the process. Toppings like crushed graham crackers, crushed sandwich cookies, fresh or frozen fruit, even vanilla granola or fun cereals all work as topping ideas.
You can! Use a plant-based whipping cream alternative and a pudding mix that sets with non-dairy milk (some instant pudding brands don't, so check the box). The texture will be slightly softer but still delicious.
If it's runny, whip it for another minute or two until peaks form or chill it for 10-15 minutes to help it set. If it's too thick, stir in a splash of milk or cream to loosen it up.
More Pudding Based Recipes
Did you try this recipe and and love it? 😍 Let me know by leaving a comment below or 5 ⭐ rating!
And make sure to sign up for my newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more simple recipes! Remember to tag us on social channels when you make a recipe at #simplegraytshirt! I 💖 seeing what you're up to in the kitchen!
📖 Recipe
2 Ingredient Vanilla Mousse
Ingredients
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding (3.4-3.9 oz package)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Pour the instant vanilla pudding mix in a medium sized mixing bowl. To that, add the heavy whipping cream.
- With a hand mixer, start mixing slowly at first (so you don't get pudding mix powder everywhere) and then once the two ingredients are combined, beat until you get a light and fluffy whipped pudding mixture.
- Once you are done mixing it's ready to use. It should be the consistency of a thick buttercream. If you aren't enjoying it right away, store in the fridge until you are ready to eat.
Notes
- You can make the vanilla mousse thicker or thinner depending on how much heavy whipping cream you add. If you are looking for a thicker consistency (to eat with a spoon or use as a cake filling), add a little less heavy cream.
- Pay attention to the size of the box of pudding. You are looking for the little guys (3.4 - 3.9 oz) not the bigger ones.
- Make ahead magic: Make the vanilla mousse, then put into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Use small glass containers like 4oz mason jars for storing individual portions.
- To keep a film or crust from forming on the top, place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the vanilla mousse, especially if you are storing it in it's serving container.
Carol Smiley says
Can I fill a cake with it and freeze for a day before taking to a picnic?
Marni Katz says
I've not tried freezing the whipped pudding. I would suggest freezing a small amount and checking the texture the next day to see if it will work.
Dom says
Great dessert hack!
I wanted to make an easy tiramisu and didn’t want to buy mascarpone since that is quite expensive where I live. This whipped mousse/pudding was the perfect substitute. Comes together easily, tastes good.
I’ll be using this a whole lot for other desserts.
Tammy Kadari says
Ooh they all loving it wow it's delicioso delicious I will definitely save this recipe and make it again and suggest it to friends my mouth is still smiling 😊😁
Rita Williams says
I added some coffee to it and used it as a filling for a 3 layer chocolate cake with coffee icing and coffee filling. It was delicious and light.
Leanna says
I did this but I used pistachio instant pudding and sprinkled pistachios on top and it was FANTASTIC and so easy!
Leya says
How many days is this good in the fridge for?
Michelle M says
I added chopped bananas, and crushed graham cracker to the top, and it was a delightful dessert for the family!
Louise says
Can you add raspberry flavoring?
Marni Katz says
I'm sure you can...if you can find raspberry flavored pudding you could also use that instead of the vanilla pudding 😉
Jessica says
Can this be used as filling for my 8 in cake? And is it stable enough to sit out for few hours during party? Thx
Marni Katz says
Yes, it can definitely be used in a filling for a cake. It should be stable enough for 2-3 hours at room temp if it's not too hot 🙂
T. Pollet says
Used this recipe today with chocolate pudding mix, added creamy whipped topping and a chocolate hazelnut rolled wafer for decoration. Perfect for home date night. Thanks for sharing! Will be looking forward to trying new flavors.
Yvonne says
I actually made this recipe today 😊😊😊!!!....this is amazing! I'm using it for fruit dips at our yard party this summer!!!...oh my!😃...your recipe is a keeper!👍🏾❤️❣️
Marni Katz says
I'm so glad you loved it! It's a perfect fruit dip...I hope all your friends and family enjoy it 🙂
Veronica kucic says
I just like to know if I can add cacao powder with vanilla instant pudding n cream to whip up together
Marni Katz says
Veronica - That should work just fine. Can also use chocolate instant pudding 🙂