5-Ingredient Light and Creamy Strawberry Mousse Everyone Is Talking About

This light and creamy strawberry mousse is one of the best things to arrive at your spring or summer dessert table! Made with fresh strawberries and topped with a delightful vanilla chantilly cream, this easy strawberry mousse recipe has just the right sweetness and fruity flavor for a midday snack or post-dinner dessert.

What are the different types of mousse?

Mousse is light and airy and can come in sweet, fruity, and savory flavors. Some of the more popular flavors include vanilla, white chocolate, dark chocolate mousse, and fruity flavors such as mango, strawberry, raspberry, and lemon. You may also encounter other delicious flavors or combinations, such as coffee, caramel, peanut butter, key lime, or even wine mousse!

While there is no right or wrong way to make a mousse, several methods exist. Some are made with heavy cream and gelatin, some with cream only, and some with yogurt, cream, and gelatin. Others use egg whites, egg yolks, heavy cream, and a base flavor.

Why this is the best recipe

1. It is effortless to make - This fresh strawberry mousse recipe requires minimal effort and only 15 minutes to prepare. You likely already have all of the equipment you need at home in your kitchen – no fancy tools required!
2. It does not require many ingredients - This strawberry mousse recipe requires just a few simple ingredients, all of which you can find in your kitchen or local grocery store. 
3. It is delicious - I use only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients and just the right amount of sweetness. You will love just how light yet flavorful these mousse cups are!
4. It is versatile - You can easily customize this recipe with different flavors and toppings. See the Flavor Variations and Substitutions section for a few examples!
5. It is beautiful - These easy strawberry mousse cups are gorgeous in color and design. They are perfect for both casual and elegant occasions! 

Ingredients

Strawberry Mousse

• 450 g (2 cups) Strawberry puree - Puree the fresh strawberries and measure it after. If frozen fruit is used, let it come to room temperature, puree it, then reduce it by cooking over medium heat for 10 minutes or until the mixture slightly thickens and some water evaporates. Measure it after the reduction process.
• 60 g (½ cup) Powdered sugar (more or less depending on the sweetness of the strawberries; use it sifted.)
• 1 tablespoon  freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 6 g (2 teaspoons) Gelatin powder
• 345 g (1½ cups) Heavy Cream, 36% fat, very cold

Decoration

• Use my chantilly cream recipe

How to make Strawberry Mousse

1. Start by rinsing the strawberries until clean. Then, use a blender or food processor to make a puree. Afterward, measure the puree to ensure you have the accurate weight.
2. Mix the freshly squeezed lemon juice and the sifted powdered sugar with the puree. Once thoroughly mixed, taste and add more sugar if necessary.
3. Next, bloom the gelatin powder by sprinkling the powder over two tablespoons of cold water. Let it sit for approximately three minutes until the texture becomes thick and jiggly. 
4. Heat the mixture in the microwave until hot (but not boiling). Add it to the strawberry mixture once it turns into a liquid and is no longer hot. The mixture should be neither hot nor cold when you add the gelatin.
5. Using an electric hand mixer, immediately whip up the cold heavy cream until it reaches early stiff peaks. Avoid overwhipping, as the cream can either become too hard or break and curdle.
6. Use a rubber spatula to fold the whipped heavy cream into the strawberry mixture gently.
7. With the help of a spoon or piping bag, arrange the strawberry cream mixture evenly into four cups. Refrigerate the cups for six hours to set.
8. For the decoration, prepare an easy whipped cream frosting as per the instructions in my chantilly cream recipe.
9. Top the prepared strawberry mousse with a dollop of chantilly cream, fresh strawberry slices, and a sprig of the herb of your choice.

💡 Top Tip: Always use the equipment listed in the instructions for the best results. You should use an electric hand mixer to whip the heavy cream; however, only use a rubber spatula when folding the strawberry mixture into the heavy cream so the heavy cream will stay nice and airy giving the mousse its signature texture.

Storage and Freezing

To store, cover the mousse tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Although some recipes say you can freeze mousse, I do not recommend it as it will change its texture once thawed.

Flavor variations

With different fruits - Instead of strawberries, you can use other fresh fruits, such as mangoes, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, or cherries. You can also try a combination of the above for a fruity strawberry mousse mix. See my mango mousse and raspberry mousse recipes for inspiration!

With a compote layer - To kick up the fresh strawberry flavor, you can add a layer of my strawberry compote to the bottom or the top of the mousse.

With different toppings - Swap out the sliced strawberries for fruity toppings such as blueberries or raspberries. You can also sprinkle chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or shaved coconut to add texture or drizzle on some chocolate or honey for extra sweetness.

With added flavors - You can enhance the flavor even more by adding a few drops of vanilla or lemon extract to the puree or blending in fresh basil to make a strawberry basil mousse.

With chocolate - Love chocolate? Split each cup with a layer of chocolate mousse from my easy chocolate mousse recipe, or add the strawberry mousse between chocolate cake layers to make a delicious strawberry chocolate mousse cake!

You can also use this recipe to make a strawberry mousse cake (as I do in my mango mousse cake recipe)!

Expert tips

1. If the strawberries are sweet enough, you can omit the sugar to make a sugar-free mousse!
2. Do not attempt to speed up the process by skipping or shortening waiting time. A thick, creamy mousse requires at least six hours of setting time.
3. If adding a compote layer to the top, you must first wait until the mousse has fully set.
4. To keep your strawberry mousse fresh, always refrigerate and serve cold.

More Mousse Desserts

These delicious, creamy raspberry mousse cups will brighten your dessert table this summer! Made with fresh, juicy raspberries, this airy treat is made with a layer of fresh raspberry compote and delicious vanilla chantilly cream.

Go to the recipe: Raspberry Mousse

Mango Mousse

This light and creamy mango mousse is the perfect way to sweeten your day! Made with fresh, pureed mangoes and topped with delicious chantilly cream, it will satisfy your sweet tooth without weighing you down.

Go to the recipe: Mango Mousse

White Chocolate Mousse

These smooth and creamy white chocolate mousse cups will surely put a smile on your face! Made with decadent white chocolate and a hint of vanilla, this airy yet flavorful dessert melts in your mouth and packs just the right amount of sweetness. Its chantilly cream and shaved chocolate topping adds a beautiful finishing touch, making it perfect for any occasion!