Hearty Strawberry Mousse Recipe

Sometimes I crave a dessert that feels fancy but requires zero oven time. This Strawberry Mousse Recipe captures the essence of ripe berries in a cloud-like texture.

It has become my favorite way to end a dinner party since it looks elegant served in individual glasses. The balance of sweet cream and tart fruit is refreshing after a heavy meal.

What Makes This Strawberry Mousse So Special

You only need a handful of pantry staples to create this impressive treat. I love that it requires minimal active time before letting the fridge do the rest of the work.

The texture is incredibly smooth because I take the extra step to strain the strawberry puree. It melts on your tongue with a burst of natural fruit sweetness that artificial extracts just cannot match.

Making this ahead of time actually improves the consistency, so it is perfect for stress-free entertaining. You can whip it up the day before and just add garnishes right before serving.

If you enjoyed this light fruit dessert, you should definitely try my Quick Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie Recipe for another berry-filled option. For a chocolate fix to pair with it, I highly recommend baking a batch of my Easy Valentine’s Day M&M Cookies Recipe.

Everything You Need for Perfect Strawberry Mousse

Gather these simple items before you begin:

• Heavy Whipping Cream: You must use cold cream to get the stiff peaks needed for the proper volume.
• Fresh Strawberries: You need ripe, red berries to puree for the base flavor.
• Unflavored Gelatin: This stabilizes the mousse so it holds its shape while remaining airy.
• Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the puree just enough to counter the natural acidity.
• Freeze-Dried Strawberry Powder: I whisk this in to intensify the strawberry taste without adding extra liquid.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: I add a splash to brighten the fruit flavor and keep the color vibrant.
• Kosher Salt: A tiny pinch helps pop the sweetness of the cream and fruit.

My Method for Perfect Strawberry Mousse

Here is how I put this dessert together:

Puree and Strain : I start by blending the washed strawberries, sugar, salt, and lemon juice until completely smooth. To ensure a silky final texture, I pour this mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove all the seeds and pulp.

Simmer the Base : Next, I transfer the strained puree to a saucepan and let it simmer over medium heat for about five minutes. I whisk in the freeze-dried strawberry powder at this stage to boost the flavor profile before taking it off the heat.

Bloom the Gelatin : While the fruit cooks, I sprinkle the gelatin packet over cold water in a small bowl and let it sit for five minutes. This step, called blooming, ensures the gelatin absorbs the liquid so it will dissolve evenly later without clumping.

Combine and Chill : I stir the bloomed gelatin into the warm strawberry mixture and cook on low for two minutes until fully dissolved. I pour this into a bowl, cover it, and refrigerate it for at least an hour until it thickens slightly but is not fully set.

Whip the Cream : Once the strawberry base is cool, I pour the cold heavy cream into a large bowl. I beat this using a mixer until stiff peaks form, meaning the cream stands up straight when you lift the beaters.

Fold and Set : I gently fold the chilled strawberry mixture into the whipped cream using a spatula until no white streaks remain. Finally, I spoon the mousse into serving glasses and refrigerate them for at least two hours to set completely.

My Best Tips for Perfect Strawberry Mousse

If you cannot find good fresh berries, I have successfully used frozen ones that are thawed and drained. Just make sure to measure the Strawberry Mousse ingredients carefully so the ratios remain correct for setting.

Chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for fifteen minutes before whipping the cream. This simple trick helps the cream reach volume faster and keeps the structure stable.

When folding the puree into the cream, take your time and use a gentle hand to avoid deflating the air bubbles. This ensures your Strawberry Mousse stays light rather than becoming heavy or dense.

How to Serve This Strawberry Mousse

I prefer to pipe this dessert into clear glass cups so everyone can see the beautiful pink color. Top each portion with a fresh berry slice or a sprig of mint for a professional finish.

You can also layer this Strawberry Mousse with crushed graham crackers for a textured parfait. It pairs wonderfully with a dollop of extra whipped cream on top right before guests arrive.

I love sharing my favorite dessert ideas and seasonal inspiration with my community on Pinterest, so come follow along for more sweet treats.

Strawberry Mousse Recipe

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• Author: Amelia Bryan
• Total Time: 3 hr 52 min
• Yield: 4 servings
• Diet: Gluten-Free

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Description

A light and airy Strawberry Mousse made with fresh berries and whipped cream. This no-bake dessert is perfect for special occasions or a sweet finish to any meal.

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Ingredients

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
• 1 packet unflavored gelatin
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon freeze-dried strawberry powder
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

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Instructions

1. In a blender, combine the fresh strawberries, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and fresh lemon juice. Puree until completely smooth, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds.
2. Transfer the strawberry puree to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, then whisk in the freeze-dried strawberry powder.
3. While the puree simmers, bloom the gelatin by sprinkling the packet over 1/4 cup of cold water in a small bowl. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
4. Add the bloomed gelatin to the warm strawberry puree and cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring constantly until the gelatin is fully dissolved. Remove from heat.
5. Pour the strawberry mixture into a medium bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until it thickens but hasn’t fully set.
6. In a large bowl, beat the chilled heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
7. Gently fold the thickened strawberry mixture into the whipped cream until fully combined and no white streaks remain.
8. Spoon or pipe the mousse into serving cups or bowls. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set completely before serving.

Notes

If fresh strawberries are out of season, you can use thawed frozen strawberries, but ensure you drain excess liquid before weighing.

• Prep Time: 45 min
• Chilling Time: 3 hr
• Cook Time: 7 min
• Category: Dessert
• Method: No-Bake
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 23g
• Sodium: 29mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 68mg

Keywords: Strawberry Mousse Recipe, easy dessert, no-bake treat, fresh berries, mousse cups