If you’re craving a light, fluffy dessert that tastes like summer in a spoon, then this Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how simple it is to whip up, yet it feels so fancy and fresh every time. Whether it’s a casual treat or an elegant finish to dinner, you’ll find that this mousse hits the spot with those natural strawberry flavors shining bright. Let me walk you through making this delightful dessert that has become a favorite in my kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh and Natural: Made with just a few real ingredients, so the strawberry flavor shines through beautifully.
- Easy to Make: No fancy techniques or weird ingredients—just puree, cream, and sugar.
- Versatile: Perfect served in glasses, or even as a cake or pie filling with a simple gelatin trick.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare it ahead of time, making it ideal for entertaining or busy schedules.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe are simple but star-quality. Fresh strawberries bring bright sweetness, sugar balances just enough tartness, and heavy cream gives you that cloud-like texture you want in a mousse. Remember, the quality of your strawberries really matters here—ripe and juicy is the name of the game.

- Fresh Strawberries: Look for ripe, fragrant berries with no bruising for the best flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances the natural tartness of strawberries without overpowering.
- Heavy or Whipping Cream: Use cream with at least 30% fat content; cold cream whips better and gives you that fluffy texture.
- Extra Strawberries for Topping: Adds a pretty, fresh garnish that makes the mousse irresistible.
Variations
I love experimenting with this Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe. It’s super adaptable, so feel free to tweak it to fit your taste or dietary needs. Personally, I’ve tried adding herbs or mixing in other berries to make it my own.
- Herby Twist: Once, I added a teaspoon of fresh basil finely chopped—it added a surprising fresh note that my family loved.
- Dairy-Free Version: Try coconut cream whipped until fluffy instead of heavy cream—it gives a lovely tropical twist!
- Extra Sweetness: If your strawberries aren’t super sweet, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup works great here.
- Gelatin for Stability: For making pie or cake fillings, I use gelatin as mentioned below, which helps the mousse hold its shape longer.
How to Make Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe
Step 1: Puree Those Strawberries
Start by washing and slicing your strawberries. Pop them into a blender or food processor with the sugar, then puree until smooth. I always remove about half a cup of this puree and set it aside—that special bit will be used as a fruity base layer in the serving glasses. Keep it chilled if you can while you prep the rest.
Step 2: Whip the Cream to Perfection
Make sure your cream is cold; I usually keep the bowl in the fridge for a bit before whipping for better results. Beat the cream until stiff peaks form—that means when you pull the beaters out, the cream holds its shape without collapsing. This texture is what makes your mousse so airy and divine.
Step 3: Fold the Puree Gently
Now, it’s time to fold the remaining strawberry puree into the whipped cream. Take your time here and use a gentle folding motion with a spatula to keep all that lovely air trapped in the cream. Mixing too vigorously can deflate your mousse and make it dense, so slow and steady wins the day.
Step 4: Layer and Chill
Divide the half cup of reserved puree between your serving glasses first—this creates a bright, fresh bottom layer. Spoon the mousse over the top, smoothing it out nicely. Pop these into the fridge for at least an hour or, if you can wait, even overnight—the chilling time helps the flavors meld and the mousse set beautifully.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
When you’re ready to serve, slice some fresh strawberries to top each glass. I love how the garnish adds color and extra freshness that makes the mousse irresistible. Grab a spoon and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe
- Chill Everything: Keeping your cream and mixing bowl cold makes whipping easier and the mousse fluffier.
- Puree Texture: For a smoother mousse, strain the strawberry puree through a fine sieve to remove seeds.
- Folding Technique: Use a gentle folding motion to combine puree and whipped cream to keep that airy texture.
- Sweetness Check: Taste the puree before adding cream—sometimes strawberries vary in sweetness and may need a little more sugar.
How to Serve Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe

Garnishes
I often garnish with sliced fresh strawberries, which adds a nice pop of color and texture. Sometimes I’ll sprinkle a little powdered sugar or garnish with a sprig of mint for an extra fresh vibe. Whipped cream on top takes it over the edge if you’re feeling indulgent.
Side Dishes
This mousse pairs wonderfully with light desserts like shortbread cookies, lemon bars, or even a crisp glass of chilled white wine on a warm day. If you want a more substantial pairing, some fresh fruit salad or a small almond biscuit works beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve served this mousse in little mason jars for picnics, layered with granola for texture, or piped into mini tart shells topped with fresh berries for dinner parties—it’s a true crowd-pleaser! For holidays, you can add edible flowers or dip the strawberry slices in dark chocolate for a fancy look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep any leftover mousse covered in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to two days. It stays wonderfully fresh and fluffy if you give it a gentle stir before serving again.
Freezing
Freezing strawberry mousse is a bit tricky because the texture may change and become icy. I’ve tried it before and recommend only freezing if you plan to use it in a baked dish later, like a pie filling with the gelatin trick—it holds up better that way.
Reheating
This mousse is best served cold, so reheating isn’t really ideal. If frozen, thaw it overnight in the fridge and give it a gentle whip with a fork to help bring back some of the fluffiness before serving.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen strawberries for this mousse?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but it’s best to thaw and drain them first to avoid excess water making the mousse too runny. The fresh version does have a brighter flavor, but frozen works well in a pinch.
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How do I make the mousse more stable for cake filling?
Incorporate gelatin as outlined in the notes—dissolving it in warm milk before folding into the whipped cream and puree mix helps the mousse hold shape better, perfect for fillings.
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Can I sweeten the mousse differently?
Absolutely! While granulated sugar is standard, you can experiment with honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup, just adjust to taste and sweetness of your strawberries.
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What’s the best way to serve this mousse?
Serve chilled in pretty glasses or bowls with a garnish of fresh strawberries or mint. It’s great on its own, or paired with light cookies or fresh fruit for a delightful dessert experience.
Final Thoughts
I love coming back to this Fresh Strawberry Mousse Recipe whenever I want something refreshing but quick to make. It’s one of those desserts that make people smile instantly—so creamy, sweet, and fresh all at once. Give it a try, especially when strawberries are in season; you’ll be amazed at how easy and impressive it is. Trust me, once you make this, you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again to brighten up any meal or celebration.
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 recipe is a light, refreshing dessert perfect for any occasion. Made with pureed strawberries, sugar, and whipped heavy cream, it delivers a creamy, fruity flavor with a delicate texture. The mousse is chilled and topped with fresh strawberries, making it an attractive and delicious treat that’s simple to prepare in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Strawberry Puree
- 12½ ounces strawberries (3/4 pound), cleaned and sliced
- ½ cup granulated sugar
Cream
- 1 cup whole heavy or whipping cream (with at least 30% fat content), cold
Topping
- Extra fresh strawberries, sliced, for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Strawberries: Clean and slice the strawberries thoroughly to ensure they are ready for pureeing.
- Puree the Strawberries: In a blender or food processor, combine the sliced strawberries and granulated sugar. Puree the mixture until smooth. Remove ½ cup of the puree and set it aside for layering later.
- Whip the Cream: In a cold bowl, beat the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form. This ensures a light and airy texture for the mousse.
- Fold Strawberry Puree into Cream: Gently fold the remaining strawberry puree (not the reserved ½ cup) into the whipped cream, being careful not to deflate the mixture.
- Assemble the Mousse: Divide the reserved ½ cup strawberry puree evenly between 4 small to medium glasses (each glass holds about 1 cup). Top each with the strawberry mousse mixture.
- Chill: Refrigerate the assembled glasses for approximately 1 hour or up to overnight to allow the mousse to set and flavors to meld.
- Add Fresh Toppings and Serve: Just before serving, top each mousse with fresh sliced strawberries for an appealing presentation and extra freshness. Enjoy your delightful strawberry mousse!
Notes
- For use as a filling in pies or cakes, whip the cream until thickened and stir in the puree.
- In a small pot, add 2 tablespoons of milk and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of gelatin on top; let it sit for one minute.
- Heat the pot on low, stirring constantly until the gelatin dissolves (1-2 minutes). Do not boil.
- Remove from heat immediately and stir in 1-2 tablespoons of the whipped cream mixture to temper the gelatin, then fold the gelatin mixture gently into the remaining whipped cream puree blend.
- This method offers a firmer texture suitable for fillings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 glass)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 55mg


