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Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

Strawberry Mousse Recipe (Layered)

Published: Feb 11, 2022 · Modified: Feb 11, 2022 by Colleen 43 Comments

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jars of mousse with pink and white layers topped with fresh strawberry slices in mason jars
jars of mousse with pink and white layers topped with fresh strawberry slices in mason jars

This layered strawberry mousse is a dreamy, creamy dessert made with succulent fresh strawberries. A layer of vanilla mousse is sandwiched between two layers of fluffy strawberry mousse for a pretty presentation that makes this fresh strawberry dessert perfect for Valentine's Day, or any day! But the best part is how easy this treat for the taste buds is to make!

Four jars of mousse on a wooden table.

What is mousse?

Mousse actually means “foam” in French, and that is a fitting term for this rich, yet light and airy, delicious treat, which is essentially an aerated dessert. It starts with a base, like the pureed strawberries in this recipe, or chocolate. Then an aerator is folded in. Aerators can be whipping cream, whole eggs, egg yolks or egg whites. Finally, a thickener is added, which is commonly gelatin, and sometimes, just butter or chocolate if the dessert is well chilled.

A close up shot of the dessert in a jar.

Mousse vs. Pudding

Pudding and mousse are both rich and creamy desserts. However, there are several differences. First, pudding is a milk-based dessert that is cooked and thickened with cornstarch or another thickener such as tapioca or chia seeds. It can be served warm or chilled. Mousse, on the other hand, is not cooked and is always served chilled. It’s lighter and fluffier than pudding.

Jump to:
  • What is mousse?
  • Mousse vs. Pudding
  • Why We Love This Easy Recipe
  • Here's What You Need to Make It
  • How to Make This Easy Recipe, Step By Step
  • Tips for the Best Results
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Looking for more dessert recipes?
  • Recipe
  • Comments
Four small mason jars filled with the dessert, two with lids, and two silver spoons.

Why We Love This Easy Recipe

  • This easy mousse recipe is the perfect way to enjoy sweet strawberries.
  • Homemade mousse is so easy to make with just a few simple ingredients, and a few simple steps.
  • Creamy strawberry mousse is filled with fresh strawberry flavor, and is sure to become one of your favorite strawberry desserts.
  • Individual mason jar servings are a perfect dessert for a picnic.

Here's What You Need to Make It

  • Strawberries: I ended up using about 8 ounces of fresh berries, but if it isn't strawberry season, you can use frozen if you like (just make sure they thaw out). Make sure all of your strawberries are cleaned, stemmed, and at room temperature before you begin making your mousse.
  • Gelatin: This is the key to making your strawberry mousse full but also light and fluffy.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: While your strawberries should be at room temperature, your whipping cream should be cold when you use it! Cold whipping cream will help ensure the fats stay firm when you begin to whip your creams together.
  • Other ingredients: I also used powdered sugar and vanilla extract for this recipe.
Four jars of pink and white  layered mousse topped with strawberries.

How to Make This Easy Recipe, Step By Step

Step 1: Prep the Gelatin

First, in a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over 2 tablespoons of water and let stand 1 minute. After that, heat the gelatin and water in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to dissolve it.

Step 2: Prep the Strawberries

Next, puree the strawberries in a food processor or blender. When finished, refrigerate the strawberry puree until ready to use.

Step 3: Make Cream Mixture

Now, in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla. You should whip the cream mixture on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 8 minutes.

Step 4: Create Gelatin Layers

Next, add the gelatin mixture to the cream mixture and continue whipping until it forms stiff peaks, or for about 2 more minutes. At this point, reserve ⅓ of the mousse mixture in another bowl for the white, vanilla layer. Then, gently fold the pureed strawberries into the unreserved portion of the whipping cream mixture.

NOTE: After this step, you should have 2 bowls of cream, a white vanilla layer and a pink strawberry layer.

Step 5: Construct Strawberry Mousse Desserts

Now, fill six 1-pint (500 ml) mason jars with half of the strawberry mixture. Then, layer the reserved vanilla layer over that, and then the remaining strawberry layer.
Garnish with sliced strawberries

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Finally, allow your strawberry mousse in jars to chill at least two hours or overnight. When you're ready to serve, garnish with sliced strawberries and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Results

  • Puree room temperature strawberries. Have the pureed strawberries at room temperature before incorporating them into the whipped cream mixture. If they are too cold, the mousse may start to set before you are finished making it.
  • But use cold tools! Use cold whipping cream, and chill the bowl and beater in the fridge for 30 minutes before whipping the cream and sugar. This keeps the fats firm during whipping.
  • Careful not to over-beat the cream. Beat the cream at medium-high speed. Stop whipping when stiff peaks form, meaning that it can hold itself up. Be careful not to beat it more once it reaches that stage, or you will have butter.
  • Let it set. Mousse should be chilled in the fridge for at least a couple of hours to allow it to become firm.
  • Keep it simple. If you prefer, you can skip the layering, and simply fold the strawberries into the entire cream mixture.
  • Take them on the go! Screw lids on the filled jars to make these strawberry mousse treats packable for picnics and cookouts. Be sure to keep them cold until serving.

Recipe FAQs

Do you need eggs to make strawberry mousse?

Although many recipes for mousse call for butter and/or eggs, this recipe is perfectly light and airy without them. The gelatin in the recipe gives the mousse it’s stability.

What can I substitute for gelatin?

You can replace the gelatin with an equal amount of agar-agar powder for a vegetarian version of this dessert. What’s agar-agar? Find out more: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Agar-Agar.

Can you make strawberry mousse ahead of time?

Mousse is a perfect make-ahead dessert. It will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge, and since it’s already individually portioned, it’s very convenient. If you use mason jars with lids like I did, you can easily pack them (in a cooler with ice) on a picnic, or take them along on a camping trip or a boating outing.

Can you freeze strawberry mousse?

This dessert is delicious when frozen. It becomes a delightfully light strawberry ice cream treat, perfect for hot days. You can also freeze the mousse for up to two months and defrost it in the fridge. Once defrosted, the mousse will still retain the texture and taste as before freezing. If you don’t plan to freeze this mousse, you should use it within three days in order to keep the best texture and flavour.

A spoonful of layered strawberry mousse being scooped from a jar.

Looking for more dessert recipes?

  • Raspberry Chocolate Mousse
  • Coconut Mousse with Raspberries
  • Mango Coconut Ice Cream
  • Skillet Apple Crisp Recipe
  • Strawberry Dutch Baby

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a rating in the comments below and let us know how it turned out. Did you make any changes? We would love for you to share and your feedback is important!

Recipe

jars of mousse with pink and white layers topped with fresh strawberry slices in mason jars

Strawberry Mousse Recipe

Made with two creamy layers of strawberry and vanilla cream, this easy, strawberry mousse recipe is the perfect light, airy dessert.
5 from 55 votes
Print Pin Rate
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 194kcal
Author: Colleen Milne

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoon powdered unflavored gelatin one packet
  • 8 oz fresh strawberries cleaned and stems removed
  • 1 cup cold whipping cream
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over 2 tablespoon of water & let stand 1 minute.
  • Heat the gelatin & water in the microwave 10-15 seconds to dissolve it
  • Puree the strawberries in a food processor or blender
  • Refrigerate the strawberries until ready to use
  • In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla
  • Whip the cream mixture on medium speed until it forms soft peaks, about 8 minutes
  • Add the gelatin mixture to the cream mixture and continue whipping until stiff peaks form, about 2 more minutes
  • Reserve ⅓ of the cream mixture in another bowl for the vanilla layer
  • Gently fold the pureed strawberries into the unreserved portion of the whipping cream mixture
  • Fill 6 1-pint (500 ml) mason jars with half of the strawberry mixture. Layer the reserved vanilla layer over that, and then the remaining strawberry layer.
  • Garnish with sliced strawberries
  • Chill at least two hours, or overnight

Notes

  • Puree room temperature strawberries. Have the pureed strawberries at room temperature before incorporating them into the whipped cream mixture. If they are too cold, the mousse may start to set before you are finished making it.
  • But use cold tools! Use cold whipping cream, and chill the bowl and beater in the fridge for 30 minutes before whipping the cream and sugar. This keeps the fats firm during whipping.
  • Careful not to over-beat the cream. Beat the cream at medium-high speed. Stop whipping when the cream forms stiff peaks, meaning that it can hold itself up. Be careful not to beat it more once it reaches that stage, or you will have butter.
  • Let it set. Mousse should be chilled in the fridge for at least a couple of hours to allow it to become firm.
  • Keep it simple. If you prefer, you can skip the layering, and simply fold the strawberries into the entire cream mixture.
  • Take them on the go! Screw lids on the filled jars to make these strawberry mousse treats packable for picnics and cookouts. Be sure to keep them cold until serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 194kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 583IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tavo

    February 13, 2022 at 2:32 am

    Yumm! Loved your recipe! Very nice and simple treat.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      February 13, 2022 at 11:37 am

      I'm very happy to hear that you loved the strawberry mousse, Tavo!

      Reply
  2. Eliza

    February 12, 2022 at 6:34 pm

    What a beautiful presentation, perfect for highlighting fresh strawberries. This is a "berry" special recipe, and I love the pretty layers in the mason jars. Another winner from The Food Blog!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      February 13, 2022 at 11:36 am

      Thanks so much for the kind words, Eliza!

      Reply
  3. Irena

    February 12, 2022 at 2:02 pm

    Yum, so good with fresh strawberries. I often use gelatin to make panna cotta with coconut yoghurt or cream. Now I have a new gem recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Colleen

      February 12, 2022 at 2:35 pm

      I'm happy to know that strawberry mousse is a new fave, Irena!

      Reply
  4. Lisa

    February 12, 2022 at 12:57 pm

    This is so good! Light, creamy and delicious! I could eat them everyday!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      February 12, 2022 at 2:34 pm

      Hi Lisa! I'm really happy that the strawberry mousse turned out well for you. Thanks for commenting!

      Reply
  5. Kristen

    February 12, 2022 at 11:56 am

    This was so creamy and refreshing! We can't wait to make again. 🙂

    Reply
    • Colleen

      February 12, 2022 at 2:33 pm

      I'm glad that you loved the strawberry mousse, Kristen! I appreciate your comment.

      Reply
  6. Shea P

    April 23, 2021 at 7:51 am

    Wow, I expected to love this moose but goodness, this was better than expected.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      April 25, 2021 at 3:21 pm

      So happy to hear that, Shea!

      Reply
  7. Maggie

    April 22, 2021 at 11:01 am

    This mouse is sooo light and delicious!! A perfect summer dessert.. not heavy at all but packed with so much flavour! I love strawberries and this recipe certainly does them justice. I totally recommend!!!

    Reply
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