There’s something truly delightful about a light, airy strawberry mousse that melts in your mouth with every spoonful. The sweet, fruity flavor of ripe strawberries combines beautifully with the creamy texture, creating a dessert that's as refreshing as it is indulgent. This strawberry mousse has quickly become a go-to in my household, whether we’re hosting guests or just want a sweet treat for a weeknight.

The best part? This recipe is both simple to make and stunning to serve, with its vibrant pink hue and luscious, fluffy texture. Let’s dive in and get started on your new favorite dessert!

Why You'll Love This Strawberry Mousse

Get ready to fall head over heels for this strawberry mousse! It’s a dessert that brings elegance and ease together perfectly, making it an ideal choice for both special occasions and everyday indulgence.

First off, the fresh strawberry flavor is front and center in this recipe. Unlike store-bought options that rely on artificial flavors, this mousse captures the true essence of strawberries by using fresh or frozen berries, allowing that sweet-tart taste to shine through.

You’ll also love how easy and straightforward this recipe is. While mousse may seem like a fancy dessert, this version only requires a few basic steps, making it entirely achievable even for beginners.

Another major perk? No baking required! This strawberry mousse is a no-bake dessert, which means it’s perfect for warm days when you want a cool, refreshing treat without turning on the oven.

Lastly, this dessert is light and fluffy, thanks to the whipped cream folded into the strawberry mixture. The mousse has just the right balance of creaminess and airiness, making each bite feel like a little cloud of strawberry bliss.

Whether you’re making it for a holiday, a birthday, or just a cozy night in, this strawberry mousse is sure to become a new favorite in your dessert lineup!

Ingredients Notes

Creating a perfect strawberry mousse starts with just a few simple ingredients, each one playing an important role in delivering flavor and texture.

Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are ideal for the best flavor, but frozen strawberries work well too if they’re thawed first. The key is to use ripe, flavorful berries to get that sweet, fruity taste. If your strawberries are on the tart side, you can adjust the sweetness later on.
Heavy Cream: This ingredient is crucial for achieving that creamy, fluffy mousse texture. Be sure to use heavy cream (or whipping cream) that’s at least 35% fat for the best results. Chill it before whipping, as cold cream whips up much faster and holds its shape better.
Sugar: Just a small amount of sugar is needed to sweeten the strawberries and bring out their natural flavor. You can adjust the sweetness to your liking, but be careful not to add too much as it can overpower the delicate taste of the strawberries.
Gelatin: A little bit of gelatin helps stabilize the mousse, so it holds its shape while remaining light and airy. If you prefer a vegetarian option, you can use agar-agar, but the texture may vary slightly.
Vanilla Extract: This adds a subtle depth to the mousse and enhances the overall flavor. Use pure vanilla extract if possible for the best taste.

No special equipment is needed for this recipe, but a hand mixer or stand mixer is helpful for whipping the cream. You’ll also need a blender or food processor to purée the strawberries.

How To Make This Strawberry Mousse

Creating this strawberry mousse is a simple process that yields impressive results. Follow these steps for a smooth, fluffy mousse every time.

Prepare the Strawberry Purée: Start by washing and hulling your strawberries, then place them in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, adding a small amount of sugar if needed to sweeten. Pour the purée through a fine mesh sieve to remove any seeds for a smooth texture.
Dissolve the Gelatin: In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over a couple of tablespoons of water, letting it sit for a few minutes until it blooms. Then, gently warm it over low heat (or in the microwave for a few seconds) until it dissolves completely. Stir the melted gelatin into the strawberry purée, mixing well to ensure it’s evenly incorporated.
Whip the Cream: In a chilled mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream with a hand mixer or stand mixer until it forms soft peaks. Be careful not to over-whip, as you want a soft, airy texture that will fold easily into the strawberry mixture.
Fold and Combine: Carefully fold the whipped cream into the strawberry purée, being gentle so you don’t deflate the cream. Mix just until combined and there are no visible streaks of strawberry or cream.
Chill and Serve: Spoon the mousse into serving dishes, cover, and refrigerate for at least two hours or until set. The mousse will firm up slightly as it chills, creating the perfect creamy texture. Just before serving, garnish with fresh strawberry slices or a sprig of mint for a pop of color.

This strawberry mousse takes about 20 minutes to prepare, with an additional 2-hour chilling time. Once set, you’ll be rewarded with a light, airy dessert that’s a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.

Storage Options

This strawberry mousse is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store it in the refrigerator if you have leftovers. Keep it in an airtight container or cover each serving dish with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.

Refrigerator: The mousse will keep in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. The gelatin will help it maintain its texture, but the flavor is best within the first day or two.
Freezer: You can also freeze strawberry mousse for a different take on the dessert. It will have a texture closer to semifreddo or frozen mousse. Just spoon it into an airtight container, cover, and freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.

When you’re ready to serve leftovers, the mousse may need a gentle stir if it’s been in the fridge for a while.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the beauties of this strawberry mousse recipe is its versatility. There are many ways to change it up based on your preferences or what’s in your pantry.

Swap the Fruit: This mousse recipe works beautifully with other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or even mango. Simply follow the same steps, adjusting the sweetness as needed depending on the fruit you choose.
Make it Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free version, try coconut cream in place of the heavy cream. Be sure to chill the coconut cream beforehand to ensure it whips up nicely. The subtle coconut flavor pairs well with the fruit for a tropical twist.
Use Yogurt for Tang: Fold in a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt for a tangy note that balances out the sweetness of the strawberries. This variation is a nice way to add a little extra creaminess with a slight tang.
Chocolate Strawberry Mousse: Add a couple of tablespoons of cocoa powder to the whipped cream for a chocolate-strawberry mousse that’s sure to impress. The chocolate adds richness, making it feel even more indulgent.
Herbal Twist: Add a hint of fresh basil or mint to the strawberry purée for a fresh, herbal note that complements the fruit beautifully. Just a few leaves blended into the purée will add a subtle, refreshing flavor.

Experiment with these variations to make the mousse your own! No matter how you serve it, this strawberry mousse is sure to bring smiles and a touch of elegance to any occasion. Enjoy!