Monday, December 8, 2025

No-Bake Grinch Mousse Pie

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No-Bake Grinch Mousse Pie is the perfect holiday dessert fun, festive, and absolutely irresistible. With its vibrant Grinch-green color, fluffy mousse filling, and sweet graham cracker crust, this treat brings cheerful Christmas magic to any gathering. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make and requires zero baking, making it ideal for busy holiday schedules.

Every bite of this pie is smooth, creamy, and delightfully light, thanks to a whipped mousse base made with cream cheese, pudding, and whipped cream. The playful pop of red heart sprinkles gives it that classic “Grinch” charm, making it a wonderful dessert for Christmas parties, potlucks, or family movie nights. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know to bring this festive pie to life—from why it’s so loved to tips, variations, and serving ideas.

If you’re searching for a whimsical holiday dessert that delivers both flavor and festive flair, this No-Bake Grinch Mousse Pie will quickly become a seasonal favorite. Let’s jump into the magic of this merry, mousse-filled treat!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This holiday dessert is a crowd favorite for so many reasons:

No Baking Required: Easy, quick, and perfect when the oven is busy with holiday dishes.
Fun & Festive: Bright green filling and red heart sprinkles capture the Grinch theme perfectly.
Light and Creamy Texture: Silky mousse filling makes this pie incredibly satisfying without being heavy.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Perfect for prepping a day in advance for stress-free entertaining.
Kid-Approved: Its color, theme, and sweet flavor make it a hit with children and adults alike.
Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and convenience ingredients for fast assembly.

Preparation and Chill Time

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Chill Time: 4 hours (overnight recommended)
  • Total Time: About 4 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

Crust

  • 2 cups crushed graham crackers (or vanilla wafers)
  • 6 tbsp melted butter
  • 2 tbsp sugar

Grinch Mousse Filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup cold heavy cream
  • 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 ½ cups cold milk
  • Green food coloring (gel recommended)
  • 1 cup whipped topping (for folding in)

Topping

  • Whipped topping
  • Red heart sprinkles (Grinch style)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Crust

  1. Combine crushed graham crackers, melted butter, and sugar in a mixing bowl.
  2. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie dish.
  3. Chill in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes to set.

Step 2: Prepare the Mousse Base

  1. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
  2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Beat again until fluffy and creamy.

Step 3: Make the Pudding Layer

  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk.
  2. Allow the mixture to thicken for 2–3 minutes.

Step 4: Combine & Color

  1. Add the thickened pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture.
  2. Beat until smooth and well combined.
  3. Add green food coloring until the filling becomes the perfect vibrant “Grinch green.”

Step 5: Add Whipped Cream

  1. Gently fold 1 cup of whipped topping into the mousse mixture.
  2. Mix just until smooth and airy—avoid overmixing to maintain fluffiness.

Step 6: Fill the Pie

  1. Spoon the Grinch mousse into your chilled crust.
  2. Smooth the top with a spatula.
  3. Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.

Step 7: Decorate

  1. Spread or pipe whipped topping over the chilled mousse.
  2. Finish with red heart sprinkles to complete the classic Grinch theme.

How to Serve

  • Serve fully chilled for the creamiest texture.
  • Perfect for holiday parties, potlucks, and Grinch movie marathons.
  • Add crushed candy canes for a peppermint crunch.
  • Pipe whipped topping into festive swirls for an elevated presentation.

Tips

  • Use gel food coloring for a bold, bright green without watering down the mousse.
  • For a firmer texture, reduce the milk in the pudding mixture by 1–2 tablespoons.
  • Make ahead: This pie holds beautifully for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
  • Avoid overmixing when folding in the whipped topping to keep the mousse light and airy.

Recipe Variations

Mint Grinch Pie: Add a drop of peppermint extract to the mousse.
Oreo Crust: Replace graham crackers with crushed Oreos for a cookies-and-cream twist.
Golden Grinch Pie: Use vanilla wafers for a sweeter, softer crust flavor.
Extra Green: Swirl in a little green Jell-O powder for more color and flavor.

Storage

  • Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 2–3 days.
  • Freezing: Not recommended due to mousse texture changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought crust?
Absolutely—graham or vanilla wafer crusts both work great.

Can I use Cool Whip instead of heavy cream?
Yes! Substitute the heavy cream in the filling with 1 cup of whipped topping.

Can I use a different pudding flavor?
Yes—white chocolate or cheesecake pudding mix works beautifully.

Will the filling thicken enough?
Yes, as long as the mixture is chilled for several hours or overnight.

Conclusion

No-Bake Grinch Mousse Pie is a festive, fun, and foolproof holiday dessert that brings Christmas cheer to every table. With its creamy mousse filling, easy no-bake crust, and iconic Grinch-inspired decoration, this pie is as delightful to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re hosting a holiday celebration or enjoying a cozy movie night, this playful dessert is sure to steal the show—maybe even the Grinch’s heart too!

Print
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Screenshot 2025 12 08 092510

No-Bake Grinch Mousse Pie


  • Author: Sophia

Ingredients

Scale

Crust:

  • 2 cups crushed graham crackers (or vanilla wafers)
  • 6 tbsp melted butter
  • 2 tbsp sugar

Grinch Mousse Filling:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup cold heavy cream
  • 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 ½ cups cold milk
  • Green food coloring (gel works best)
  • 1 cup whipped topping (for folding in)

Topping:

  • Whipped topping
  • Red heart sprinkles (Grinch style)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Crust

In a mixing bowl, stir together crushed graham crackers, melted butter, and sugar until fully combined.

Press the mixture into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie dish.

Place in the fridge for 15–20 minutes to set.

Step 2: Prepare the Mousse Base

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth and creamy.

Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract; beat again until fluffy.

Step 3: Make the Pudding Layer

In a separate bowl, whisk together instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk.

Allow it to thicken for 2–3 minutes.

Step 4: Combine & Color

Add the pudding mixture into the cream cheese mixture.

Beat until smooth.

Add green food coloring until you reach the perfect “Grinch green.”

Step 5: Add Whipped Cream

Gently fold 1 cup of whipped topping into the green mousse mixture.

Mix until smooth, airy, and evenly colored—avoid overmixing.

Step 6: Fill the Pie

Spoon the Grinch mousse into your chilled crust.

Smooth the top evenly with a spatula.

Chill for at least 4 hours or until fully set (overnight is best).

Step 7: Decorate

Spread or pipe whipped topping on top.

Add red heart sprinkles for the Grinch theme.

Serving Suggestions

Serve chilled for the creamiest, fluffiest texture.

Perfect for Christmas parties, holiday potlucks, or Grinch movie nights.

Add crushed candy canes on top for a peppermint twist.

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