If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that’s both delightfully light and wonderfully creamy, you’re in the perfect spot. This Easy Strawberry Mousse Recipe is one of my all-time favorites because it’s quick to make, fresh-tasting, and just melts in your mouth. Whether you’re new to mousse or a seasoned pro, you’ll find that this recipe strikes an amazing balance between simplicity and elegance—perfect for impressing guests or just treating yourself on a quiet night in.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Fast Prep: You’ll have this mousse ready in about 5 minutes—no need for complicated steps or hours of chilling.
- Deliciously Fresh Flavor: The real strawberries really shine and give it that perfect burst of springtime sweetness.
- Versatile Ingredients: You can swap out cream cheese for coconut cream or adjust sweetness to suit your preferences.
- Kid and Crowd Friendly: Everyone from my kids to my friends goes crazy for it, making it a crowd-pleaser every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Easy Strawberry Mousse Recipe plays a key role in creating the perfect texture and flavor. Plus, these ingredients are easy to find and often already in your fridge or pantry. When shopping, be sure to pick ripe, sweet strawberries—they truly make all the difference!
- Cream Cheese or Coconut Cream: Cream cheese gives you that classic mousse creaminess, while coconut cream offers a dairy-free, tropical twist.
- Yogurt or Additional Cream Cheese/Coconut Cream: Adds a bit of tang and helps lighten the mousse; Greek yogurt is my go-to for a creamy but fresh feel.
- Powdered Sugar or Sugar-Free Alternative: Powdered sugar dissolves smoothly for the perfect sweet balance—feel free to use your favorite sweetener.
- Strawberries: Fresh and ripe is best—you’ll want to remove stems and either blend or mash for that lovely berry flavor throughout.
- Vanilla Bean Paste (Optional): Just a hint adds this beautiful depth and rounds out the flavors softly without overpowering.
Variations
One of the things I love most about this Easy Strawberry Mousse Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often switch things up depending on what I have in the kitchen or to suit dietary needs—and you can too!
- Dairy-Free Version: I swapped out cream cheese for coconut cream and used a sugar-free sweetener, and the mousse still turned out super creamy and luscious.
- Extra Fruity: Sometimes I add a handful of raspberries or blueberries for a mixed-berry mousse—my family loves that twist!
- Vanilla Booster: Adding a dash of vanilla bean paste is my secret for an even more decadent flavor.
- Less Sweet: If you prefer a less sugary dessert, just reduce the powdered sugar or use a sugar substitute you trust.
How to Make Easy Strawberry Mousse Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Cream Base
Start by letting your cream cheese come to room temperature if you’re using that—this makes blending smoother and avoids lumps. If you’re going the coconut cream route, pop open the can and scoop out the thick, creamy part. Heads up: sometimes coconut cream can be flaky, which doesn’t work well for mousse, so look for the smooth, creamy consistency.
Step 2: Puree the Strawberries
Remove the stems from your strawberries, then either mash them with a fork or blend them in a food processor or blender. I love to blend because it gives the mousse an ultra-smooth texture, but mashing works fine if you want a bit of berry texture to shine through.
Step 3: Mix Everything Together
Add the strawberries to your cream base along with your yogurt, powdered sugar, and vanilla bean paste if you’re using it. Blend everything together until it’s silky-smooth. This is where patience pays off—make sure the sugar is fully dissolved and the cream is completely smooth for the best results.
Step 4: Chill and Set the Mousse
Once blended, transfer your mousse into serving dishes or ramekins and pop them in the fridge. Give it at least a couple of hours to chill—the mousse will thicken as it cools and develop that light, airy texture you want. I sometimes leave it overnight if I’m prepping in advance, and honestly, it tastes even better the next day.
Pro Tips for Making Easy Strawberry Mousse Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: I learned that having the cream cheese at room temp makes your mousse ultra smooth without any lumps.
- Sweetener Choices Matter: Powdered sugar blends in better than granulated, so don’t skip that for this recipe.
- Chill Time is Key: Don’t rush the chilling—you want the mousse to firm up nicely for the perfect spoonable texture.
- Strawberry Quality: Using ripe, juicy strawberries will make all the difference—avoid unripe berries for best flavor.
How to Serve Easy Strawberry Mousse Recipe
Garnishes
I love to top this mousse with a few halved fresh strawberries or a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios for a subtle crunch. Sometimes, a tiny sprig of mint adds a refreshing touch and makes it look like you got fancy—even if you didn’t!
Side Dishes
This mousse pairs beautifully with some crisp shortbread cookies or a buttery madeleine if you’re feeling indulgent. For a light, healthier pairing, I sometimes serve it alongside a fresh fruit salad or berry compote.
Creative Ways to Present
When hosting, I like to serve the mousse in tiny clear glasses layered with granola or crushed cookies for texture contrast. It’s adorable for parties and lets the pretty pink color shine through. I’ve even piped it into decorative shapes using a piping bag for a festive look!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover mousse stores really well in the fridge, covered tightly in an airtight container or wrapped with plastic wrap. I usually keep it for up to 3 days, and it maintains that creamy texture without drying out.
Freezing
I don’t usually freeze this mousse because the texture changes a bit after thawing—it can get watery. But if you want to try, freeze it in an airtight container and thaw gently in the fridge overnight for best results.
Reheating
You really don’t want to warm strawberry mousse since it’s best served chilled. If it’s too firm after fridge time, just let it sit out for 10 minutes to soften slightly before serving—it’ll be perfect.
FAQs
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Can I make this Easy Strawberry Mousse Recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Swap out cream cheese and yogurt for coconut cream or other plant-based alternatives. Just make sure your coconut cream is thick and smooth to get the right mousse texture.
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Do I have to use fresh strawberries?
Fresh strawberries provide the best flavor and texture, but you can use thawed frozen berries in a pinch. Just be sure to drain excess liquid before blending to avoid a runny mousse.
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How long does the mousse need to chill?
I recommend chilling at least 2 hours to let it set up properly, though overnight chilling gives the best results with firmer texture and more developed flavor.
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Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time for a party?
Yes! This mousse is a breeze to make ahead. Prepare it the day before and keep it refrigerated until serving to save time on your event day.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Strawberry Mousse Recipe has become a staple in my dessert repertoire because it’s so forgiving, quick, and absolutely delicious. I’ve made it countless times for casual dinners and special occasions alike, and it always gets raves. Honestly, you’ll enjoy how effortlessly it comes together and how beautiful it looks on the table. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite go-to dessert!
Print
Easy Strawberry Mousse Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A light and creamy Strawberry Mousse made with cream cheese or coconut cream, yogurt, and fresh strawberries. This easy no-bake dessert is perfectly sweetened and chilled to delight your taste buds with a smooth and airy texture.
Ingredients
Main 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
- Optional: 1/4 tsp vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Prepare the cream base: If using cream cheese, allow it to come to room temperature to soften. If using coconut cream, open the can and ensure the contents are thick and creamy; avoid using cans that are hard and flaky.
- Puree the strawberries: Remove the stems from the strawberries and blend or mash them until completely pureed to create a smooth strawberry base.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cream cheese or coconut cream, yogurt or additional cream cheese/coconut cream, powdered sugar, and optional vanilla bean paste to the pureed strawberries. Blend everything together using a food processor, blender, or hand mixer until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Chill the mousse: Transfer the mousse mixture into serving dishes. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the mousse to thicken and develop a creamy, airy texture.
Notes
- Use full-fat cream cheese or coconut cream for the best creamy texture.
- For a sugar-free version, substitute powdered sugar with your preferred sugar substitute.
- Chilling time is important to let the mousse thicken properly.
- Coconut cream must be thick to achieve the right mousse consistency.
- This recipe can be made vegan by using coconut cream and a plant-based yogurt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (approximately 100g)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg