If you’re craving a dessert that’s light, delicious, and bursting with the fresh taste of summer, you’re going to adore this Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe. I absolutely love how this mousse turns out silky smooth with just a handful of simple ingredients, and it comes together super fast — always a win in my book. Whether you want a quick treat after dinner or something fancy enough for guests, this recipe hits all the right notes. Stick with me, and I’ll guide you through every step to get that perfect airy, fruity mousse you’ll want to make again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple & Fast: You’ll have this tasty mousse ready in under 15 minutes—perfect for last-minute cravings or unexpected guests.
- Fresh, Real Ingredients: With only strawberries, cream, and sugar, you get the pure, natural flavor that makes this mousse shine.
- Light & Airy Texture: This mousse isn’t heavy or dense like some desserts; it’s fluffy and melts in your mouth.
- Versatile Serving Options: I love how easily you can dress it up with garnishes or use it as a filling, making it perfect for all kinds of occasions.
Ingredients You’ll Need
When you look at the ingredient list, you’ll notice it’s short and sweet — which means no complicated shopping trips. Each component plays a specific role to bring out that fresh strawberry flavor and create the mousse’s beautiful, airy texture.
- Fresh strawberries: Use ripe, juicy strawberries for the best flavor. If they’re a little underripe, the mousse will be less sweet, so choose berries that smell sweet and vibrant.
- Granulated sugar: This balances the tartness of the strawberries, but you can adjust it to taste if you prefer less sweetness.
- Heavy cream (or whipping cream): This is key for that fluffy texture; make sure it’s cold before whipping to get stiff peaks.
- Extra strawberries for garnish: Adds a pretty touch and a fresh burst of flavor when serving.
Variations
I love making this Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe just as is, but sometimes it’s fun to switch things up — especially to suit different tastes or dietary needs. Feel free to experiment and make it your own.
- Add a splash of vanilla extract: I sometimes add a teaspoon of vanilla to the puree for a subtle depth of flavor; it’s heavenly!
- Use coconut cream for a dairy-free version: The texture is still great, and it pairs beautifully with the strawberries.
- Mix in other berries: Blueberries or raspberries can add an interesting twist if you want a mixed berry mousse.
- Make it boozy: For adults-only, a tablespoon of Grand Marnier or a fruity liqueur folded in can elevate this dessert for special occasions.
How to Make Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe
Step 1: Puree the Strawberries with Sugar
Start by washing and slicing your strawberries—no need to be too precise here. Toss them into your blender or food processor with the sugar, and puree until smooth and luscious. Here’s the trick: remove about half a cup of this puree and set it aside. That reserved puree will brighten up your presentation later, and the rest will be folded into the whipped cream for that irresistible strawberry mousse flavor.
Step 2: Whip the Cream to Stiff Peaks
This part makes all the difference! Pour your cold cream into a chilled bowl and whip it using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Stop whipping as soon as you see stiff peaks — if you go too far, it’ll turn buttery, so keep an eye on it! I like to chill my bowl in the fridge beforehand to make the whipping easier and faster.
Step 3: Fold the Puree into the Whipped Cream
Gently fold the larger portion of the strawberry puree into the whipped cream using a spatula. Take your time here — folding preserves the airy texture, whereas stirring aggressively can deflate the cream and make the mousse heavy. You want that light, fluffy feel that makes the mousse melt on your tongue.
Step 4: Assemble and Chill
Divide the reserved half-cup of strawberry puree evenly into your serving glasses or bowls — this is like a vibrant strawberry base layer. Spoon the mousse gently on top, filling your glasses up beautifully. Then pop them into the fridge for at least an hour to chill and set. Honestly, I often let them rest overnight, especially if I’m prepping ahead, and the flavor only gets better.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, add some fresh sliced strawberries on top for that extra pop of color and texture. And voilà — you have a stunning, fresh strawberry mousse dessert that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat.
Pro Tips for Making Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe
- Use Cold Equipment: I always chill my mixing bowl and beaters before whipping cream — it helps you reach those perfect stiff peaks quickly.
- Gently Fold for Fluffiness: I discovered that folding slowly and carefully keeps the mousse light; rushing here flattens your mousse.
- Let It Rest in the Fridge: Giving the mousse time to chill — at least one hour — makes all the flavors marry beautifully.
- Adjust Sweetness to Taste: Taste your strawberry puree before mixing it in; sweetness varies by berry, so add a pinch more sugar if needed.
How to Serve Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe
Garnishes
Personally, I love topping the mousse with thinly sliced fresh strawberries and a tiny sprig of mint for a refreshing contrast. You can also sprinkle on some crushed pistachios or a dusting of powdered sugar if you want a little crunch or extra sweetness.
Side Dishes
This mousse is light enough to pair with other summer favorites like a crisp green salad or a tangy lemon tart. I also enjoy serving it alongside buttery shortbread cookies or almond biscotti for a bit of texture contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, try layering your Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe in elegant wine glasses with alternating layers of crushed graham crackers or sponge cake. You can also pipe the mousse into pretty swirls using a star-tipped pastry bag for a polished look that wows every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (which sometimes happens in my house), keep them covered tightly in the fridge. I use airtight containers or cover the serving glasses with plastic wrap to prevent the mousse from absorbing fridge odors. It stays fresh for about 2 days.
Freezing
Honestly, I don’t recommend freezing this mousse because the texture can change once thawed — it may become watery or lose its fluffy quality. Fresh is best here.
Reheating
This mousse is meant to be served chilled, so there’s no need to reheat it. If it’s been refrigerated, just take it out a few minutes before serving to let it soften slightly for the best texture.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen strawberries for this Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe?
While fresh strawberries are ideal for the best flavor and texture, you can use frozen strawberries if fresh ones aren’t available. Just be sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid extra water in your mousse. You might want to reduce the sugar slightly depending on the sweetness of your frozen berries.
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How long does it take to make this mousse?
The actual hands-on time is about 10 minutes, but you’ll need to chill the mousse for at least an hour to let it set properly. The longer it chills, the better the flavors develop.
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Can I make this mousse vegan?
Yes! Swap the dairy cream for a chilled coconut cream that whips well, and ensure your sugar is vegan-friendly. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
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How do I know when the cream has stiff peaks?
When you lift the whisk out of the cream, the peaks should stand straight without folding over. If the peaks droop or collapse, whip a little longer, but be careful not to overwhip—stop as soon as stiff peaks form.
Final Thoughts
This Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe has become one of my go-to desserts whenever I want something that feels special but doesn’t require a ton of fuss. The balance of sweet, fresh strawberries and fluffy cream is just dreamy, and my family always goes crazy for it. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll be adding this easy, beautiful mousse to your regular dessert rotation. It’s like having a little taste of summer anytime — what’s not to love?
Print
Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Fresh Strawberry Mousse is a light and airy dessert combining fresh strawberries with whipped cream for a delightful treat. Perfect for warm days or as an elegant finish to any meal, this mousse requires minimal ingredients and effort, delivering a fresh burst of strawberry flavor with creamy texture. Serve chilled in small glasses topped with fresh strawberries for impressive presentation and taste.
Ingredients
Strawberry Puree
- 12½ ounces strawberries (3/4 pound), cleaned and sliced
- ½ cup granulated sugar
Mousse
- 1 cup heavy cream (whole, heavy or whipping cream with at least 30% fat content), cold
- Extra fresh strawberries for topping
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberry Puree: Clean and slice the strawberries thoroughly. In a blender or food processor, add the sliced strawberries along with the granulated sugar and puree until smooth. Remove ½ cup of this puree and set it aside for layering and topping later.
- Whip the Cream: In a cold mixing bowl, beat the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form. This ensures a light and fluffy mousse texture.
- Combine Puree with Whipped Cream: Gently fold the remaining puree (all except the ½ cup set aside) into the whipped cream, making sure not to deflate the mixture to retain airiness.
- Assemble the Mousse: Divide the reserved ½ cup of strawberry puree evenly among four small or medium glasses (each glass holds about 1 cup of water). Spoon or pipe the strawberry mousse mixture over the puree layer in each glass.
- Chill: Refrigerate the assembled glasses for approximately 1 hour or overnight to allow the mousse to set and flavors to meld.
- Serve: Top each mousse with fresh sliced strawberries just before serving. Enjoy this fresh, creamy, and fruity dessert!
Notes
- For use as a pie or cake filling, whip the cream until thickened and stir in the strawberry puree. In a small pot, combine 2 tablespoons of milk and 1 tablespoon of gelatin, let it stand for one minute, then heat gently just until the gelatin dissolves (1-2 minutes), avoiding boiling. Remove from heat immediately.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of the whipped cream mixture to the gelatin and stir gently to combine. Fold this gelatin mixture back into the remaining whipped cream mixture to stabilize the mousse or filling.
- The glasses used for serving hold about 1 cup of liquid, providing a good guideline for portion size.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 glass)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 55mg