{Easy!} Creamy Fruit Mousse

This is one of those great recipes that can go from quick and casual, to special and fancy. It’s such a great little treat to whip up when you’re short on time and ingredients, but want something fun and homemade. It literally takes minutes to make and yet it’s soooo special

Recipe by Our Best Biteshttp://www.ourbestbites.com/2012/03/easy-creamy-fruit-mousse/

Ingredients
1 small (3 oz) box fruit flavored gelatin, regular or sugar free
1 cup boiling water
8 ounces cream cheese, divided
1/2 cup cold water
8 ounce container COOL WHIP, divided
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 small orange

Instructions
Dissolve gelatin in boiling water.
Place in blender and add 4 ounces (half of the package) cream cheese. Process until smooth.
Add cold water and pulse blender to stir.
Add half of the container of COOL WHIP (about a heaping cup) to the blender and process just until combined and mixture is free of lumps.
Pour mixture into one serving bowl, or several smaller individual sized dishes.
Refrigerate until firm, 3-4 hours.
Either top with remaining COOL WHIP or continue on with topping recipe.

To make topping, beat remaining 4 ounces cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla, about 1 teaspoon orange zest (more if desired) and one teaspoon of the orange juice.
Blend until creamy and smooth, and fold in remaining 4 ounces COOL WHIP.
Add more orange juice if needed for consistency. 

Dollop, pipe, or spread topping over chilled mousse just before serving.
If you refrigerate the mousse with the topping on, it will harden, so it’s best to whip it up just before serving.

Makes about 6, 1/2 cup servings.

Try making rainbows layers if you want to get really creative - let layers solidify in the fridge
 and then add another flavor on top. This looks great in individual serving dishes
and also larger ones where you can scoop out servings.