If you’re craving something light, fruity, and incredibly creamy, you’re going to love this Strawberry Mousse Recipe. It’s such a delightful dessert that balances sweet, fresh strawberries with a smooth, velvety texture that simply melts in your mouth. The best part? This recipe is wonderfully straightforward, but the end result feels like an elegant treat you’d want to share with friends and family every chance you get. Whether it’s a casual afternoon snack or the grand finale to a special meal, this mousse hits all the right notes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Strawberry Mousse Recipe plays an important role, from the creamy base to the fruity freshness. With just a handful of essentials that are easy to find, you’ll see how these simple components come together beautifully to create a luscious, colorful dessert.
- Cream cheese or coconut cream: This is the rich and creamy foundation of your mousse, giving it that dreamy texture, with coconut cream offering a perfect dairy-free swap.
- Yogurt or additional cream cheese/coconut cream: This adds a subtle tang and smoothness that balances the sweetness while keeping things light.
- Powdered sugar or sugar-free alternative: It sweetens the mousse gently without overpowering the natural strawberry flavor.
- Strawberries: Fresh and ripe strawberries provide vibrant color and that signature strawberry freshness that makes this dish sing.
- Vanilla bean paste: A splash of vanilla deepens the flavor and adds a lovely aromatic note to your mousse.
How to Make Strawberry Mousse Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the strawberries
Start by giving your strawberries a good wash and hull them. Cutting them into small pieces before blending helps achieve a smooth consistency, but you can keep it chunky if you like a bit of texture in your mousse.
Step 2: Blend the base ingredients
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese (or coconut cream) together with the yogurt (or your chosen alternative), until you’ve got a smooth and creamy mixture. This is the velvety heart of your mousse, so make sure there are no lumps for the best mouthfeel.
Step 3: Sweeten with powdered sugar
Gradually add powdered sugar or a sugar-free alternative to the creamy mixture, beating continuously. The sweetness should be subtle enough to enhance the strawberries without stealing the spotlight.
Step 4: Add the vanilla bean paste
Stir in that beautiful vanilla bean paste to infuse the mousse with a warm, inviting flavor that complements the berries perfectly.
Step 5: Puree the strawberries
Using a blender or food processor, puree the strawberries until smooth. If you fancy a mousse with a bit more bite, pulse instead of blending completely so there are delightful strawberry pieces scattered throughout.
Step 6: Combine and fold gently
Carefully fold the strawberry puree into the cream base. Take your time to preserve the lightness of the mousse while ensuring even distribution of the fresh strawberry flavor.
Step 7: Chill until set
Transfer the mousse into serving dishes and pop it into the refrigerator. Allow it to chill for at least two hours so it can firm up and develop that perfect airy yet creamy texture.
Step 8: Ready to serve
Once your mousse has set beautifully, serve it in bowls or pretty glasses, and get ready for compliments. You can add some extra strawberries or a dollop of whipped cream for an eye-catching finish.
How to Serve Strawberry Mousse Recipe
Garnishes
Simple is often best when it comes to garnishing. A few fresh strawberry slices or a sprig of mint on top creates a fresh, inviting look that makes the mousse even more irresistible. Whipped cream can add a luxurious touch if you want to step it up.
Side Dishes
This strawberry mousse pairs beautifully with light, fruity sides such as a crisp green salad with citrus dressing or a few biscotti for a delightful textural contrast. It also goes wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your presentation to the next level by layering the mousse with crushed cookies or granola in a glass for a parfait style treat. You can also use edible flowers or drizzle a bit of chocolate sauce to turn your simple mousse into a stunning centerpiece that wows guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover strawberry mousse keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days without losing its charm. Just give it a gentle stir before serving to refresh its texture.
Freezing
To freeze the mousse, transfer it into a freezer-safe container. It’s best enjoyed fresh, but freezing can extend its life up to a month. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating
Since this mousse is meant to be served chilled, reheating isn’t recommended. Instead, allow it to thaw gently to maintain its creamy, airy texture without separation.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work just fine; just thaw them first and drain any excess liquid to avoid making the mousse too watery.
Is there a vegan version of the Strawberry Mousse Recipe?
Yes! Swap the cream cheese for coconut cream and use a plant-based yogurt. Just be sure to use a vegan powdered sugar or other sweetener to keep it fully plant-based.
Can I make the mousse sweeter or less sweet?
Definitely. The amount of powdered sugar can be adjusted to your taste. Start with less and add more if you prefer a sweeter mousse.
What can I substitute for vanilla bean paste?
If you don’t have vanilla bean paste, pure vanilla extract works perfectly, though a teaspoon is enough since it’s more concentrated.
How long does it take to set properly?
About 2 hours in the fridge is ideal for the mousse to firm up nicely, but if you want an even denser texture, chilling it overnight is a great option.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Mousse Recipe is truly a joy to make and eat — it’s simple, fresh, and irresistible. It’s one of those desserts that feels luxurious for any ordinary day and impressive enough for special occasions. I hope you try it soon and discover just how delightful a homemade strawberry mousse can be!
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Strawberry Mousse Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A light and creamy Strawberry Mousse perfect for a refreshing dessert. This recipe combines cream cheese and yogurt with fresh strawberries and vanilla bean paste, sweetened to perfection and chilled to set into a smooth, airy treat.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese (or coconut cream for a dairy-free option)
- 4 oz yogurt (or additional cream cheese or coconut cream)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (or a sugar-free alternative)
- 5 medium-sized strawberries (optional, but recommended for flavor)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: If using strawberries, wash and hull them. Cut them into small pieces for easier blending.
- Mix the base: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese (or coconut cream) and yogurt (or additional cream cheese) together until smooth and creamy.
- Sweeten the mousse: Gradually add the powdered sugar (or sugar-free alternative) to the mixture, beating until fully combined.
- Add the vanilla: Stir in the vanilla bean paste for added flavor.
- Blend the strawberries: In a blender or food processor, puree the strawberries until smooth. For a chunkier texture, pulse to leave small bits in the mixture.
- Combine and chill: Gently fold the pureed strawberries into the cream mixture until fully incorporated.
- Chill: Refrigerate the mousse for at least 2 hours or until it firms up and sets.
- Serve: Once chilled, serve in individual bowls or glasses, optionally garnished with extra strawberries or whipped cream.
Notes
- For a dairy-free option, use coconut cream instead of cream cheese and yogurt.
- Adjust sweetness by using a sugar-free powdered sugar alternative if preferred.
- Chilling time is crucial to allow the mousse to set properly.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries or a dollop of whipped cream for presentation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American