Looking for a quick, fresh dessert that feels fancy but takes no time? These Lemon & Berry Cream Cheese Mousse Cups are your answer. They’re light, tangy, creamy, and layered with sweet berries. Best of all? No baking needed. They’re perfect for spring, summer, brunches, and even weeknight treats.
What Are Lemon & Berry Cream Cheese Mousse Cups?
Lemon & Berry Mousse Cups are soft, whipped desserts served in cups. They have a creamy lemon mousse layer made from cream cheese, whipped cream, and lemon juice or curd. On top? A mix of fresh berries like blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries.
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These cups chill in the fridge to set. No oven needed. No eggs. No gelatin (unless you want to).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No bake & quick – Just mix, layer, and chill
- Fresh, bright flavor – Lemon and berries are always a win
- Make-ahead friendly – Great for parties and meal prep
- Customizable – Swap berries or add cookie crumbs
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need for the mousse and toppings:
For the Lemon Cream Cheese Mousse:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (fresh for best flavor)
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped to soft peaks
Topping Ideas:
- Fresh berries: Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
- Lemon zest or mint leaves for garnish- 7 Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water by Healthline
- Graham cracker crumbs (optional base layer or topping)
Tip: You can use lemon curd instead of lemon juice and zest for a richer mousse.
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How to Make Lemon & Berry Mousse Cups (Step-by-Step)
Here’s a simple way to get this dessert done fast:
Step 1: Make the Whipped Cream
- Beat heavy cream until it forms soft peaks. Set aside.
Step 2: Mix Cream Cheese Base
- In another bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice, zest, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy.
Step 3: Fold in the Whipped Cream
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the lemon mixture. Don’t overmix. You want it light and airy.
Step 4: Layer in Cups
- Spoon the mousse into small dessert cups or jars.
- Add a layer of fresh berries on top.
- Optional: Add crushed graham crackers at the bottom or between layers.
Step 5: Chill
- Refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours before serving. This helps the mousse firm up.
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Expert Tips for the Best Mousse Cups
- Room temp cream cheese blends more easily and smoothly
- Chill your mixing bowl before whipping cream for better volume
- Don’t skip zest – It adds real lemon flavor
- Use clear dessert cups or jars for that pretty layered look
Variations You Can Try
Want to change things up? Try these fun twists:
- No dairy? Use dairy-free cream cheese and coconut whipped cream. Use coconut whipped cream for a dairy-free version. Source: The Spruce Eats
- No lemon? Use orange or lime juice for a twist
- Want it firmer? Add a teaspoon of unflavored gelatin (bloomed and warmed) into the lemon mixture before folding in the cream
- Want it sweeter? Layer with lemon curd between the mousse and the berries
Are These Mousse Cups Make-Ahead Friendly?
Yes! You can make them 1–2 days in advance. Keep them covered in the fridge. Add fresh berries just before serving for the best texture.
How Long Do Mousse Cups Last?
- In the fridge: Up to 3 days
- In the freezer: Technically yes, but the texture may change (best eaten fresh)
More Helpful Tips & Ideas
How to Serve:
- In mini mason jars, shot glasses, or fancy dessert cups
- As part of a dessert table or brunch spread
- With a graham cracker crust for a cheesecake-like base
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Kid-Friendly Version:
- Use strawberries only
- Skip zest for a milder lemon flavor
- Layer with crushed cookies for fun
Want to impress guests?
- Top with lemon curls, a tiny mint leaf, and a dusting of powdered sugar right before serving.
Storage Tips
- Store mousse cups in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Keep them covered with plastic wrap or lids
- Do not freeze if you want a smooth texture
- Add fresh berries just before serving to avoid sogginess- FoodSafety.gov – Cold Storage Chart
Add These to Your Dessert Rotation
If you loved this, try one of these no-bake favorites:
- Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits Recipe – from Delish.com
- No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake Bars – from Sally’s Baking Addiction
- Mini Fruit Tart Cups – by LoveAndLemons
These are great for parties, baby showers, or just a weekend pick-me-up!
Final Thoughts
These Lemon & Berry Cream Cheese Mousse Cups are the kind of dessert that looks like you spent hours, but only took minutes. They’re fresh, fruity, and so satisfying, perfect for summer, Easter, or anytime you want a light but indulgent treat.
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Try them once, and they’ll be your go-to no-bake dessert.
Want a cheesy, beefy bread roll recipe? This cheeseburger garbage bread is perfect.
Lemon & Berry Cream Cheese Mousse Cups

This lemon & berry cream cheese mousse cups recipe is light, creamy, and full of fresh flavor. It’s one of those easy desserts you can make without turning on the oven. The lemon adds a little tang. The berries give a sweet and juicy bite. And the cream cheese makes everything smooth and rich.
You don’t need any fancy tools. Just a bowl, a whisk, and a spoon. The mousse comes together in minutes. All you do is mix the cream cheese with lemon and sugar. Then fold in the whipped cream. Spoon it into small cups and top with fresh berries. That’s it. Chill them in the fridge, and they’re ready to serve.
These mousse cups are perfect for summer. But honestly, they’re good anytime you want something quick and sweet. They look pretty, so you can serve them at parties too. You can even make them the night before. That makes them great for meal prep or entertaining.
If you want to change things up, try using other fruits like strawberries or blackberries. Or make a cookie base with crushed graham crackers. You can also skip the berries and just keep it all lemon.
Ingredients
- cream cheese - 225 gm, softened
- powdered sugar - 60 gm
- vanilla extract - 1 tsp
- lemon juice - 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed
- lemon zest - 1 tsp
- heavy whipping cream - 240 ml, cold
- blueberries - 80 gm, fresh
- raspberries - 80 gm, fresh
- graham cracker crumbs - 40 gm (optional for base layer)
- mint leaves - 6 pcs (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- In a clean bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, lemon juice, and zest. Beat until fluffy.
- In another bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the lemon cream cheese mixture. Do not overmix.
- If using, place graham crumbs at the bottom of dessert cups.
- Spoon the mousse mixture evenly into the cups.
- Top with a mix of blueberries and raspberries.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Garnish with mint leaves just before serving (optional).
Notes
This is a soft, no-bake mousse that gets its texture from whipped cream instead of gelatin. If you want a firmer set, you can add a small amount of bloomed gelatin, but it’s not needed. Use only fresh lemon juice for the best flavor—it really makes a difference. You can switch out the berries based on what’s in season. For extra crunch, a crushed cookie base works well too. This is also a good recipe for kids to help with, as there’s no heat or cooking involved. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to two days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 354Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 161mgCarbohydrates: 22gNet Carbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 16gSugar Alcohols: 0gProtein: 4g
Note while Creating nutrition details Table: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.