Cardamom-Yogurt Mousse with Mango

I’m a huge fan of yogurt in desserts. Whether I’m treating myself of a bowl of froyo (always tart), indulging in no-bake cheesecake, or experimenting with panna cotta, I can always count on greek yogurt to add its signature tang and creaminess to my favorite desserts while keeping guilt to a minimum.

In honor of the #CSCleanse we’re leaning on greek yogurt to lighten things up this week. And while you may want to hold off until next week to treat yourself (hello, Memorial Day BBQs), this cardamom-spiked yogurt mousse is completely worth the wait. This is the kind of dessert that feels indulgent (I refused to omit the cream, you deserve it) but is packed with wholesome ingredients, devoid of any refined sugars, and is so light and airy that it’s perfect for summer, or even better, a little-post cleanse pick-me-up.

Unlike traditional mousse recipes which depend on egg yolks for thick creamy texture, this mousse gets it’s smooth tang from a generous helping of, you guessed it, greek yogurt. I used full-fat in this version, but you can certainly substitute a lighter version with great results. The thickness of the yogurt allows us to cut back on cream content (bonus) and the addition of gelatin for structure means there’s no worrying about your mousse deflating in the fridge.

Instead of refined sugar, this version is sweetened with honey that adds a depth and warmth that’s unattainable with the refined stuff. Cardamom adds a smoky note that gives this mousse an Indian flare, reminiscent of lassi. The bright sweetness of the mango plays perfectly with the spicy cardamom, rounding out the whole dish into one that’s an adventure for the senses while still being simple to pull together and wholesome enough to feel good about.

Slightly adapted from Bakeless Sweets, by Faith Durand