Fruit Mousse

Submitted by Heather

Be prepared to be taken back to the 70's!  Or maybe this goes back farther than that, but when I first tasted this dessert, I was brought back to my childhood.  Oops, I think I just dated myself.  These reminded me of those wonderful popsicles with vanilla ice cream in the middle and orange popsicle on the outside.  They're easy and refreshing - try them!


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.


*I topped mine with Cool Whip, so I didn't try the cream cheese topping, but I think I will next time!


Recipe source: www.ourbestbites.com