A Mandarin Orange Cheese Mousse Cake is a light, elegant dessert that combines the creaminess of a no-bake cheesecake with the brightness of citrusy mandarin oranges — perfect for spring, summer, or any time you want something refreshing but indulgent.
Below is a full recipe to guide you through making it at home:
🍊 Mandarin Orange Cheese Mousse Cake (No-Bake)
🧁 Layers:
- Graham cracker or sponge base
- Mandarin orange cheese mousse
- Mandarin jelly glaze (optional, but stunning)
🍰 INGREDIENTS:
🟫 Base:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs (or crushed digestive biscuits)
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
Alternative: Use thin slices of sponge cake if you prefer a lighter base.
🍊 Mandarin Cheese Mousse:
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whipping cream, whipped to soft peaks
- 1 tbsp gelatin powder
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 1 can mandarin oranges, drained (reserve juice for glaze)
- Zest of 1 orange (optional, for extra citrus flavor)
🍮 Mandarin Jelly Glaze (Optional but Pretty):
- ½ cup mandarin juice (from the can or fresh squeezed)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp gelatin powder
- Mandarin orange slices for garnish
👩🍳 INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Make the crust:
- Mix graham crumbs, melted butter, and sugar.
- Press firmly into the bottom of a springform pan (8 or 9 inch).
- Chill in fridge for 15–20 minutes while you prepare the mousse.
2. Prepare the gelatin:
- Sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let bloom for 5–10 minutes.
- Microwave for 10–15 seconds until fully dissolved. Let cool slightly.
3. Make the mousse:
- Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Add vanilla and orange zest.
- Stir in the dissolved gelatin.
- Gently fold in the whipped cream.
- Fold in chopped mandarin segments (pat them dry with paper towels first).
4. Assemble:
- Pour the mousse over the chilled crust.
- Smooth the top and tap the pan gently to release air bubbles.
- Chill for 4–6 hours, or until set.
5. (Optional) Make the glaze:
- Bloom 1 tsp gelatin in 2 tbsp cold water.
- Heat mandarin juice + sugar in a small saucepan until warm.
- Add bloomed gelatin and stir until dissolved.
- Let cool slightly, then pour gently over the set mousse layer.
- Chill again for 1 hour until the glaze is set.
🍽️ To Serve:
- Run a warm knife around the edge of the springform pan before releasing.
- Garnish with extra mandarin segments, mint leaves, or white chocolate curls.
✅ Tips:
- Want a more intense citrus flavor? Add a little orange liqueur (like Grand Marnier) to the mousse.
- Make it in individual cups or jars for a pretty party dessert.
- Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.