The Freshman Cook: Orange Creamsicle Mousse

We are continuing “Mini Week” here at The Freshman Cook and today we are making Orange Creamsicle Mousse! There are two really good things about this recipe. First, any type of mousse really lends itself well to being a mini dessert. The consistency of the mousse is perfect for spooning into layers, so it looks beautiful through a glass. Second; to me creamsicle just screams “SUMMER”, and what could be better than that. Today’s recipe is loosely taken from our giveaway cookbook, “Just Mini Desserts”. I say loosely because the recipe I used, is designed to be given your own interpretation. It is on page 38 of the book, and it is a great recipe! I see a lot of experimentation in the future!

 Orange Creamsicle Mousse

{Makes 12  2-3 oz. desserts}

1 cup Graham Cracker crumbs

3 tablespoons melted Butter

1 tablespoon Sugar

1 8 oz. softened Cream Cheese

8 oz Whipping Cream

1-2  tablespoon Sugar

1/4 teaspoon Vanilla

3 tablespoon Orange Zest

1 tablespoon Orange Juice

1 drop Americolor Orange

I always have graham crackers, but never just the crumbs,

so I make my own. Just place about 5 graham crackers

in a zip lock bag. Start rolling over the graham crackers with

a rolling pin. Go over them a few times, so they are 

finely crushed. I always seem to make too many, so I just save the

leftover in the same bag.

Make your whipped cream by adding the 1-2 tablespoons

of sugar to the heavy whipping cream and mixing on high

until stiff peaks appear. Set aside about 1/3 cup to 

 to put on the finished mousse.

Mix the melted butter and the 1 tablespoon of sugar

with your graham cracker crumbs.

Place the graham cracker mix in your mini glasses.

I placed it an angle, just to create a different look,

but you could also level it across.

Set aside about 2-3 tablespoons of the graham

cracker crumbs to use as garnish later.

In your mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese

and the vanilla until fluffy.

Fold in the whipping cream.

Divide the mix in half by putting 1/2 of it in another bowl.

Add the orange zest and orange juice to the half in the

mixing bowl. Mix well. 

Add the drop of Americolor Orange. 

Mix until blended. 

Put come of the orange mousse on top of the

graham cracker in your glasses.

Place a layer of white mousse on top, 

and then finish with another layer of orange.

Use a pastry bag to top off each glass with 

some of the whipped cream you set aside earlier.

Sprinkle the tops of the whipped cream with the

graham cracker crumbs you set aside earlier. 

Refrigerate until serving.

Enjoy!

Thank you for joining us today!

Come back tomorrow as we make another dessert

as part of our “Mini Week of Desserts”!

Don’t forget about our giveaway for the Libbey “Just Desserts” 

25 piece Parfait Set and the “Just Mini Desserts” cookbook!

You can enter every day by simply leaving a comment

telling me what your favorite mini dessert is.

Leave one every day of this giveaway if you want.

  To get 2 extra entries, like our fan page on Facebook,

and follow us here at The Freshman Cook.

The giveaway ends Sunday, July 15 at 11:59 pm PST.

We will draw and announce a winner on Monday, July 16.!!