Decadent Pumpkin Banana Mousse Delight
Indulge in the ultimate autumn dessert with our Decadent Pumpkin Banana Mousse Delight. This luxurious mousse combines the rich flavors of pumpkin puree and ripe bananas with a hint of orange zest, creating a harmonious balance of sweetness and spice. Perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings or any festive occasion, this recipe is not only incredibly satisfying but also versatile enough to be adapted for sweet potatoes or yams. The creamy texture is achieved through a careful blending of whipped cream and a silky pumpkin-egg mixture, elevated by the aromatic spices of cinnamon and nutmeg. Serve chilled and topped with a luscious whipped cream garnish for a delightful finish that will impress your guests and bring warmth to your dessert table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
half-and-half
1 cup (none)
pumpkin puree
29 ounces (canned or homemade)
light brown sugar
2 cups (lightly packed)
kosher salt
1.5 teaspoons (none)
ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (none)
ground nutmeg
0.5 teaspoon (none)
extra-large egg yolks
6 (separated)
unflavored gelatin
2 (1 ounce) packages (none)
ripe bananas
2 (finely mashed)
orange zest
1 teaspoon (fresh)
cold heavy cream
2 cups (chilled)
granulated sugar
1/2 cup (divided)
vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon (none)
orange zest (optional)
0.5 - 1 teaspoon (fresh for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a heatproof bowl, combine the half-and-half, pumpkin puree, light brown sugar, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and heat gently, stirring occasionally until hot, about 5 minutes.
2
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks to combine. Gradually stir a small amount of the hot pumpkin mixture into the egg yolks to temper them, then slowly pour the egg yolk mixture back into the heatproof bowl with the pumpkin mixture. Stir continuously.
3
Return the mixture to the simmering water, heating for an additional 4-5 minutes, stirring CONSTANTLY until it thickens and reaches approximately 140°F. Be careful to avoid scrambling the eggs. Once thickened, remove from heat.
4
In a small bowl, dissolve the gelatin in 1/2 cup of cold water. Once dissolved, add the gelatin mixture to the pumpkin blend along with the finely mashed bananas and orange zest. Combine well and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
5
While the pumpkin mixture cools, whip 1 cup of cold heavy cream in an electric mixer with the whisk attachment until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, continuing to whip until firm peaks form.
6
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled pumpkin mixture until just combined. Pour the mousse into a 7-inch round souffle dish, smoothing the top. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
7
For the garnish, whip the remaining 1 cup of cold heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, whisking until you achieve firm peaks.
8
Pipe or spoon the whipped cream over the chilled mousse and sprinkle with additional orange zest if desired. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Pumpkin Banana Mousse Delight?
It is a luxurious autumn dessert that combines pumpkin puree, ripe bananas, and orange zest with a creamy whipped texture.
What are the primary flavors in this recipe?
The primary flavors are pumpkin, banana, orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Can I substitute pumpkin with other ingredients?
Yes, the recipe is versatile and can be adapted using sweet potatoes or yams instead of pumpkin puree.
How many ingredients are required for this mousse?
There are 14 ingredients in total, including items for the mousse and the garnish.
What type of pumpkin puree should I use?
You can use either canned pumpkin puree or homemade pumpkin puree.
How do I prepare the egg yolks for the mixture?
The egg yolks should be separated and then tempered by gradually adding a small amount of the hot pumpkin mixture to them before combining fully.
What temperature should the pumpkin-egg mixture reach?
The mixture should reach approximately 140°F while being stirred constantly to thicken without scrambling the eggs.
How is the gelatin incorporated into the recipe?
Dissolve two 1-ounce packages of unflavored gelatin in 1/2 cup of cold water before adding it to the pumpkin blend.
When do I add the bananas?
Finely mashed bananas are added to the pumpkin mixture along with the dissolved gelatin and orange zest after the mixture is removed from heat.
How should the bananas be prepared?
The bananas should be ripe and finely mashed before being stirred into the base.
What kind of cream is used for the mousse?
The recipe calls for cold heavy cream, which is whipped to firm peaks with granulated sugar.
How long does the mousse need to chill?
The mousse should be chilled in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight.
What size serving dish is recommended?
A 7-inch round souffle dish is recommended for this recipe.
What spices are used to season the mousse?
The mousse is seasoned with ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and kosher salt.
How do I garnish the Decadent Pumpkin Banana Mousse Delight?
Garnish with a homemade whipped cream made from heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract, then sprinkle with optional orange zest.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
While tagged as vegetarian, note that it contains gelatin and eggs; ensure these meet your specific dietary requirements.
What is the purpose of the orange zest?
Orange zest provides a citrusy balance to the sweetness and spices of the pumpkin and banana.
Can I make this for Thanksgiving?
Yes, it is specifically noted as being perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings or any festive autumn occasion.
What kind of sugar is used in the pumpkin base?
Light brown sugar is used to sweeten the pumpkin and egg yolk base.
Should the heavy cream be cold before whipping?
Yes, using cold heavy cream is essential for achieving the proper whipped consistency and firm peaks.
How do I fold the whipped cream into the pumpkin mixture?
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled pumpkin mixture until just combined to maintain the airy texture.
How much vanilla extract is needed?
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract is added to the whipped cream garnish.
What kind of salt is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using kosher salt for the best flavor balance.
What is the texture of the finished dessert?
The result is a silky, creamy, and decadent mousse with a light, airy finish from the whipped cream.
Can I use extra-large egg yolks?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 6 extra-large egg yolks.
Is the gelatin flavored?
No, you should use unflavored gelatin to avoid interfering with the pumpkin and banana flavors.
How do I prevent the eggs from scrambling?
Temper the yolks by adding the hot liquid slowly and stir the mixture constantly while heating over simmering water.
Can I add extra orange zest for garnish?
Yes, an additional 0.5 to 1 teaspoon of fresh orange zest can be sprinkled over the top for garnish.
What equipment is needed for whipping the cream?
An electric mixer with a whisk attachment is recommended for whipping the cold heavy cream.
Is the sugar for the whipped cream added all at once?
No, the sugar should be added gradually once the cream has reached soft peaks.