Name: Strawberry Mousse Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: PT-489764H6M13S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz cream cheese or coconut cream; 4 oz yogurt or additional cream cheese or coconut cream; 1 cup powdered sugar or sugar free alternative; 5 medium size strawberries, stems removed; 1/4 tsp vanilla bean paste

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I absolutely adore this Strawberry Mousse Recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between light and indulgent. Whenever I whip this up, I’m amazed at how a handful of simple ingredients come together into such a fluffy, creamy dessert that bursts with fresh strawberry flavor. It’s the kind of treat that feels elegant yet is incredibly straightforward to make, perfect for sharing with friends or savoring after a busy day.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Mousse Recipe

What really excites me about this Strawberry Mousse Recipe is its fresh and natural flavor profile. The creamy texture combined with the vibrant, sweet-tart strawberries creates a dessert that feels both refreshing and satisfyingly rich. I love that it’s not overly sweet because the natural fruit flavor shines through beautifully, making every spoonful a delightful experience. It’s like catching the essence of juicy strawberries in a cloud-like mousse.

Another reason I keep coming back to this recipe is its incredible ease and speed. I’m not a fan of complicated desserts that tie me up in the kitchen for hours. With this mousse, I can have a luscious dessert ready in under ten minutes, including prep and blending time. Plus, it’s super versatile for any occasion—whether it’s a casual weeknight treat or something special for a get-together. This recipe has a way of standing out because it delivers elegance without fuss, simplicity without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows four small bowls placed on a white marbled surface. One white bowl contains thick white cream with a smooth texture, another white bowl holds fresh ripe red strawberries with green tops, a blue patterned bowl is filled with a dollop of whipped cream with a soft texture, and a pink bowl is full of fine white powdered sugar with a powdery texture. The bowls are arranged close to each other, showing a mix of bright red, white, and blue colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beautiful part about this recipe is how the modest list of ingredients each plays a vital role in crafting that perfect mousse texture and flavor. Each component adds something essential, whether it’s creaminess, sweetness, or that stunning strawberry color.

Cream cheese or coconut cream: Provides the rich, velvety base; coconut cream is a great vegan alternative that keeps the mousse dairy-free.
Yogurt or extra cream cheese/coconut cream: Adds tanginess and lightness, making the mousse perfectly fluffy without heaviness.
Powdered sugar or sugar-free alternative: Sweetens gently and dissolves smoothly for a silky texture.
Medium-sized strawberries: The star ingredient that gives the mousse its fresh fruit flavor and lovely pink hue.
Optional vanilla bean paste: A touch of vanilla enhances all the flavors and adds a delicate aroma.

Directions

Step 1: If you’re using cream cheese, make sure it’s at room temperature so it blends smoothly without lumps. For coconut cream, open the can and check that the texture is thick and creamy – if it’s flaky, it won’t work well here.

Step 2: Remove the stems from your strawberries and either mash them with a fork or, better yet, puree them in a blender or food processor until smooth. This ensures every bite is packed with bright strawberry flavor.

Step 3: Add the cream cheese (or coconut cream), yogurt (or additional cream/coconut cream), powdered sugar, and vanilla bean paste if you’re using it to the strawberry puree. Blend everything together until completely smooth and airy. I like to use a food processor because it creates a perfect mousse texture fast.

Step 4: Transfer the mixture into serving dishes or ramekins. Cover them and place in the refrigerator to chill. The mousse will thicken nicely as it cools, usually in about an hour, but it’s often best if you can leave it for a couple of hours or overnight to really set well.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields about 6 generous servings, which is perfect for a small group or family. The prep time is wonderfully short—just 5 minutes—making it a great last-minute dessert option. There’s no actual cooking involved, so the total time is also 5 minutes of active work, but you’ll want to allow at least 1 to 2 hours of chilling time for the mousse to develop its signature fluffy texture fully.

How to Serve This Strawberry Mousse Recipe

The image shows four small glass jars filled with a pink creamy dessert, placed on a round white plate. Inside each jar, there are visible sliced strawberries pressed against the glass, creating a red and pink layer at the bottom and sides. The main body of the dessert is smooth and light pink, filling most of the jars. On the top of each jar, there is a generous swirl of white whipped cream. The plate is on a white marbled surface, and there are whole fresh red strawberries with green leaves placed around the plate. Three silver spoons with textured handles lay on the edge of the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

When I serve this strawberry mousse, I like to keep it simple yet stylish. A small glass dish or a pretty ramekin lets the lovely pink color shine. Garnishing the top with a few fresh strawberry slices instantly elevates the look and adds a burst of fresh texture to each bite. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little chopped mint or a light dusting of powdered sugar for an extra touch of elegance.

This dessert pairs wonderfully with light accompaniments. I’ve often served it alongside crisp shortbread cookies or delicate almond biscuits, which complement the mousse’s creamy texture without overpowering its fresh flavor. For drinks, a chilled glass of sparkling rosé or a strawberry mojito cocktail highlights the fruit notes beautifully. If you prefer non-alcoholic, a cold hibiscus tea or sparkling water with a slice of lemon works perfectly for a refreshing contrast.

I always recommend serving strawberry mousse chilled. It tastes best cold and refreshing, especially on warm days or at the end of a hearty meal. I usually portion it into small servings—about half a cup each—which feels just right for dessert without being too heavy. Serving it in clear glasses makes the layers and colors pop, making it a real crowd-pleaser at family dinners and festive celebrations alike.

Variations

I love experimenting with this Strawberry Mousse Recipe because it adapts so easily. If you want a dairy-free version, swapping cream cheese and yogurt for coconut cream creates a silky, vegan-friendly dessert that still captures all the lightness and sweetness I adore. For extra tang, Greek yogurt gives a wonderful depth and body, while mascarpone adds a richer, more decadent twist if you’re feeling indulgent.

If you’re looking to mix up flavors, I often add a handful of fresh raspberries or blueberries into the puree for a colorful berry medley. Another favorite variation is stirring in some finely grated lemon or orange zest, which adds a subtle citrus lift that pairs beautifully with the strawberries. For a boozy twist, a splash of Grand Marnier or Chambord stirred in before chilling creates a grown-up dessert that’s perfect for dinner parties.

Cooking methods remain pretty trusty here since the mousse is simply blended and chilled. But if you want to experiment, try folding in some whipped cream to lighten the texture even more, or gently heating the strawberry puree with a bit of gelatin for a firmer mousse that slices nicely for plated desserts.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your mousse, any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I find that glass containers with tight lids work best because they keep the mousse fresh and prevent it from absorbing other fridge odors. Stored properly, the mousse stays delicious for up to 3 days, although it’s always best fresh due to its delicate texture.

Freezing

While technically you can freeze strawberry mousse, I generally don’t recommend it because freezing can change the texture. The mousse tends to lose its light, airy quality and become icier once thawed. If you do choose to freeze it, scoop it into freezer-safe containers and cover tightly. Frozen mousse is best consumed within one month and should be thawed slowly in the refrigerator to reduce water separation.

Reheating

Since this mousse is best served cold, reheating is not really suggested. You’ll want to avoid warming it up as heat will break down the fluffy texture and make it runny. Instead, if you need to refresh the mousse’s creaminess, you can stir it gently after removing from the fridge, or add a small dollop of freshly whipped cream on top. That always revives its wonderful lightness perfectly.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries for this mousse?

Yes, frozen strawberries work well, but I recommend thawing and draining any excess liquid beforehand to avoid making the mousse too watery. Pureeing thawed berries will still yield great flavor, making this a nice option when fresh berries are out of season.

Is this mousse suitable for a vegan diet?

Absolutely! Simply swap out the cream cheese and yogurt for coconut cream, and use a sugar-free powdered sweetener if needed. Coconut cream provides the necessary richness and creaminess that makes this mousse perfectly vegan-friendly without losing any of its delightful texture.

How long should I chill the mousse before serving?

Chilling the mousse for at least one to two hours is essential. This resting time allows the mixture to firm up and develop that luscious, airy texture that defines a great mousse. For best results, I sometimes chill it overnight if I’m preparing ahead of time.

Can I prepare this dessert in advance?

Definitely! This mousse holds up well in the refrigerator for a couple of days, making it an excellent make-ahead dessert for parties or special dinners. Just be sure to cover it properly to maintain freshness and moisture.

What can I substitute if I don’t have a blender?

If you don’t have a blender, you can mash the strawberries thoroughly with a fork or potato masher until smooth. Then use a hand mixer to blend the cream cheese, yogurt, and sugar until silky. It may take a bit more effort, but the mousse will still turn out delicious.

Conclusion

I hope you feel as inspired as I do to try this Strawberry Mousse Recipe. It’s one of my go-to desserts whenever I want something that’s quick, fresh, and absolutely delightful. Whether you’re treating yourself or impressing guests, this mousse is bound to bring smiles with every spoonful. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite way to enjoy strawberries!