When it comes to indulgent desserts, few things can compete with the creamy, rich goodness of a No Bake Chocolate Mousse Pie. This dessert is everything you could want in a sweet treat—decadent chocolate, a smooth peanut butter filling, and a buttery graham cracker crust that ties it all together. Plus, it’s completely no-bake, making it the perfect choice when you want something easy, delicious, and impressive.
What I love about this recipe is how effortlessly it comes together with minimal time spent in the kitchen. You won’t need to worry about turning on the oven or dealing with complicated baking techniques. Instead, this pie comes together with just a few simple steps, and the result is a dessert that feels like it took hours to prepare—but only took a fraction of the time.
Let’s dive into the first few steps and get that delicious crust and filling started!
Step 1: Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust
The crust is the foundation of this no-bake pie, and it’s a simple yet essential part of the recipe. To start, combine the following ingredients in a medium-sized bowl:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Mix everything together until the crumbs are evenly coated with the butter and sugar, creating a wet, sandy texture. The melted butter helps bind everything together, while the sugar adds a touch of sweetness to the crust.
Next, press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish, making sure to pack it down firmly to create a stable base. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to ensure the crust is even and compact. Once it’s pressed down well, place the crust in the refrigerator to set while you prepare the filling. This helps the crust firm up, making it easier to slice and serve once the pie is complete.
Step 2: Beat the Cream Cheese
While the crust is chilling, move on to the filling. The first step in making the filling is to beat 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened, until smooth. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to do this—just make sure the cream cheese is soft enough to blend easily. This creates a creamy base for the mousse filling, making it rich and fluffy.
Once the cream cheese is smooth, you’ll be ready to move on to adding the powdered sugar.
Step 3: Add the Powdered Sugar
Next, gradually add 1 cup of powdered sugar to the cream cheese, mixing it in until well combined. The powdered sugar sweetens the filling and adds to the creamy texture, helping to balance the richness of the cream cheese. Continue mixing until the sugar is fully incorporated, and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
This will be the base of the mousse, and the texture will be rich but light enough to fold the whipped cream into.
Preparing the Filling and Assembling Your No Bake Chocolate Mousse Pie:
Now that your graham cracker crust is chilling and ready for the filling, we’re moving on to the most delicious part—the mousse filling. This creamy, rich mixture is the heart of the pie, and it comes together in just a few easy steps. We’ll add the whipped cream, peanut butter, melted chocolate, and of course, the colorful crunch from the M&M’s, making this dessert not only decadent but fun to enjoy.
Let’s continue with the next steps to get your chocolate mousse pie perfectly assembled!
Step 4: Whip the Heavy Cream
Before we can fold the cream cheese mixture into the mousse filling, we need to make it light and fluffy with some whipped cream. In a separate bowl, pour 1 cup heavy whipping cream and begin to whip it until stiff peaks form. This can take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer, and you’ll know it’s ready when the cream holds its shape and doesn’t fall when you lift the beaters.
Whipping the cream until stiff peaks form is what gives the filling its airy, mousse-like texture, so take your time with this step to ensure it’s perfectly whipped.
Step 5: Fold in the Whipped Cream
Once your whipped cream is ready, it’s time to gently fold it into the cream cheese mixture. The key to maintaining that light, fluffy texture is to fold the whipped cream into the mixture rather than stirring, which could deflate the cream.
Use a spatula and fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined. This process may take a few moments, but be gentle to ensure the mousse stays light and airy.
Step 6: Add the Peanut Butter and Melted Chocolate
Now for the real indulgence! Add ½ cup smooth peanut butter and 1 ½ cups melted chocolate to the filling mixture. The peanut butter adds a nutty richness, and the melted chocolate infuses the mousse with a deep, velvety chocolate flavor.
Stir until everything is well combined, making sure the peanut butter and chocolate are evenly distributed throughout the mousse. The mixture should be smooth and creamy, with the chocolate and peanut butter swirled throughout for maximum flavor.
Step 7: Stir in the M&M’s
For a pop of color and a delightful crunch, stir in 1 cup of M&M’s, reserving the remaining ½ cup for topping. The M&M’s add a fun, crunchy texture that contrasts nicely with the smooth, creamy mousse, making each bite even more satisfying.
Once the M&M’s are mixed in, the filling is ready to be poured into the crust.
Step 8: Pour the Filling into the Crust
Now that your mousse filling is fully prepared, pour it into the graham cracker crust, spreading it out evenly with a spatula. Make sure the filling reaches all edges of the crust, and smooth the top for a neat and uniform appearance.
Step 9: Refrigerate the Pie
To allow the filling to set and become perfectly firm, refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours. This will give the mousse time to firm up, making the pie sliceable and giving it that perfect creamy texture.
For the best results, if you have the time, refrigerate the pie overnight. The longer it chills, the firmer and more set the filling will be, and the flavors will have time to meld.
Step 10: Top the Pie with M&M’s
Once your pie has set and the mousse is firm, top the pie with the remaining ½ cup of M&M’s. Sprinkle them evenly over the surface of the pie for a pop of color and an extra layer of crunch.
You can arrange the M&M’s in a pattern, or simply scatter them across the top for a more casual, rustic look. Either way, they’ll add a fun, festive element to the pie.
Step 11: Drizzle with Melted Chocolate (Optional)
For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle the pie with any remaining melted chocolate that you may have left from the filling preparation. You can either use a spoon to drizzle it in a zigzag pattern across the top, or pour it into a piping bag for a more controlled design.
The melted chocolate adds a glossy finish and a final burst of rich chocolate flavor, perfectly complementing the sweetness of the peanut butter and the refreshing crunch from the M&M’s.
Step 12: Serve and Enjoy
Now that your No Bake Chocolate Mousse Pie is fully assembled, it’s ready to serve! Slice it up into generous portions and enjoy this rich, creamy, and flavorful pie with friends, family, or by yourself (we won’t judge!).
This dessert is perfect for parties, special occasions, or any time you want a decadent, no-fuss treat. The combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and M&M’s will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Final Touches, FAQ, and Conclusion on No Bake Chocolate Mousse Pie:
After refrigerating your No Bake Chocolate Mousse Pie, it’s finally time to finish it off with a few simple yet stunning touches. These last steps are what will elevate this dessert and make it look as amazing as it tastes. Once done, you’ll have a pie that’s not only creamy and decadent but also bursting with fun textures and flavors.
Let’s finish this pie and wrap up the article with some frequently asked questions and final thoughts!
1. How long does the pie need to set in the refrigerator?
For best results, refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you want the filling to be even firmer. The longer it sets, the easier it will be to slice and serve.
2. Can I use a different type of crust?
While this recipe uses a graham cracker crust, you can easily switch it up. A chocolate cookie crust (like Oreos) or a digestive biscuit crust would be excellent alternatives that complement the chocolate mousse filling.
3. Can I substitute the peanut butter?
If you prefer not to use peanut butter, you can substitute it with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or even Nutella for a chocolate-hazelnut flavor. Just make sure the consistency remains similar to that of peanut butter to maintain the filling’s texture.
4. Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Yes, this pie is perfect for making ahead. In fact, it needs time to set, so it’s a great make-ahead dessert. Simply prepare it the day before your event or gathering and store it in the fridge.
5. How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover pie in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The pie will remain delicious and creamy, though it’s best to enjoy it sooner rather than later for the freshest flavor.
6. Can I freeze this pie?
Yes, you can freeze the pie for up to 2 months. Just be sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in a freezer-safe container. Thaw it in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
Conclusion: Why You’ll Love No Bake Chocolate Mousse Pie:
This No Bake Chocolate Mousse Pie is the perfect dessert for those who love rich chocolate flavors, creamy mousse, and a fun, crunchy texture. It’s indulgent without being overwhelming, and the balance of flavors—peanut butter, chocolate, and minty M&M’s—makes it a crowd-pleasing treat that’s always a hit.
Whether you’re preparing it for a special occasion, a holiday dinner, or simply because you want something decadent to enjoy, this no-bake pie is the way to go. Its ease of preparation, make-ahead convenience, and irresistible flavor will have you coming back for more.
Tried the recipe? Let me know how it turned out! Did you add your own twist or play around with different toppings? I’d love to hear your thoughts and variations. Happy baking!
No Bake Chocolate Mousse Pie Recipe – A Creamy, Indulgent Dessert with a Crunchy Twist
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
A rich, creamy no-bake chocolate mousse pie with a buttery graham cracker crust, smooth peanut butter filling, and colorful M&M’s for crunch and fun.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter
- 1½ cups melted chocolate
- 1½ cups M&M’s (1 cup mixed in filling, ½ cup for topping)
Instructions
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar; mix until evenly coated.
- Press mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish; refrigerate to set.
- Beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until creamy.
- Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture.
- Stir in peanut butter and melted chocolate until smooth and combined.
- Fold in 1 cup of M&M’s.
- Pour filling into chilled crust and smooth top.
- Refrigerate pie for at least 4 hours or overnight to set.
- Top pie with remaining ½ cup M&M’s.
- Optionally drizzle with extra melted chocolate.
- Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
Use gentle folding to keep mousse airy. Refrigerate overnight for best texture. Substitute peanut butter with almond butter or Nutella if desired. Store leftovers covered in fridge up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
