Easy 4-Ingredient Strawberry Mousse Recipe (No Gelatin Needed!) -

This irresistibly light and fluffy Strawberry Mousse requires just 4 simple ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time—no gelatin, no baking, and no complicated techniques! Perfect for strawberry season, elegant entertaining, or whenever you need a spectacular dessert that looks and tastes gourmet with minimal effort.

Why This Strawberry Mousse Recipe Works

After testing dozens of strawberry mousse recipes, I’ve perfected this foolproof version that consistently delivers restaurant-quality results. The secret? Perfectly balanced sweetness and a special folding technique that maintains maximum fluffiness.

What makes this strawberry mousse exceptional:

Only 4 ingredients you probably already have
No gelatin needed (perfect for vegetarians!)
Silky-smooth texture without any complicated steps
Vibrant natural color from fresh strawberries
Make-ahead friendly – actually tastes better the next day
Endlessly customizable with easy variations

The first time I made this strawberry mousse for my family, there was complete silence at the table—everyone was too busy savoring each heavenly spoonful to speak! Now it’s my most requested dessert for celebrations and dinner parties.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This simple strawberry mousse requires just 4 basic ingredients:

1 pound fresh strawberries – Look for bright red, fragrant berries for the most intense flavor. During off-season, good-quality frozen strawberries can work too (see notes below).
1/2 cup granulated sugar – Perfectly balances the natural tartness of the berries. You can adjust slightly based on your strawberries’ sweetness.
1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream – The higher the fat content, the better your mousse will hold its shape. Keep it COLD until ready to use!
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract – This secret ingredient enhances the strawberry flavor tremendously.
Optional: 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice – Brightens the flavor and intensifies the strawberry taste.

How to Make Perfect Strawberry Mousse recipe

This elegant dessert comes together in just a few simple steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries

First, hull and quarter your strawberries. Reserve 4-6 beautiful berries for garnishing later. The rest will become your mousse base.

Pro Tip: If your strawberries aren’t perfectly sweet, roast them with a bit of sugar (400°F for 10 minutes) before pureeing for an intensified flavor.

Step 2: Create the Strawberry Puree

In a blender or food processor, combine the strawberries and sugar. Pulse until completely smooth. If using the lemon juice, add it now.

Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds (optional but recommended for the silkiest texture).

Reserve about 1/3 cup of the puree for layering/topping. Refrigerate both portions while preparing the cream.

Step 3: Whip the Cream

In a chilled bowl, combine the cold heavy cream and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer with cold beaters, whip until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip, or you’ll make butter!

The secret to perfect peaks: Stop whipping when the cream holds its shape firmly when the beaters are lifted, but still looks smooth and glossy.

Step 4: Fold and Combine

This is the critical step for perfect texture! Gently fold about 1/3 of the whipped cream into the larger portion of strawberry puree to lighten it. Then, with a large rubber spatula, carefully fold in the remaining whipped cream using a down-across-up-and-over motion until just combined.

The mixture should be uniform in color with no white streaks, but don’t overmix or you’ll deflate all that wonderful air.

Step 5: Assemble and Chill

Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of the reserved strawberry puree into the bottom of each serving glass. Carefully spoon or pipe the strawberry mousse on top.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, though 4+ hours is even better for the flavors to develop fully.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Just before serving, top each mousse with fresh strawberry slices, a mint leaf, and a light dusting of powdered sugar if desired.

Expert Tips for Perfect Strawberry Mousse recipe

After making this recipe hundreds of times, I’ve discovered these game-changing tips:

Use a metal bowl for whipping cream and chill it in the freezer for 10 minutes beforehand
Don’t skip the sieving step if you want truly restaurant-quality smoothness
Layer the reserved puree in creative ways—try a middle layer for a beautiful effect when served in clear glasses
For a firmer mousse (for example, if using as a cake filling), refrigerate for at least 6 hours
Taste your strawberries first and adjust sugar accordingly—if they’re very sweet, reduce sugar by 1-2 tablespoons

Strawberry Mousse recipe Variations

This versatile recipe can be customized in so many delicious ways:

White Chocolate Strawberry Mousse: Fold in 4 ounces of melted (and cooled) white chocolate before chilling
Strawberry Basil Mousse: Add 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil to the strawberry puree
Strawberry Champagne Mousse: Replace 2 tablespoons of the strawberry puree with champagne
Strawberry Cheesecake Mousse: Blend 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with the strawberry puree
Layered Berry Mousse: Alternate layers of strawberry mousse with blueberry or raspberry mousse

Frequently Asked Questions | Strawberry Mousse recipe

Can I make strawberry mousse ahead of time?

Absolutely! This mousse actually improves with time as the flavors meld. Make it up to 24 hours in advance and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

How long does strawberry mousse last?

Properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this mousse will keep for 3-4 days. The texture is best within the first 48 hours.

Can I freeze strawberry mousse?

Yes! This mousse freezes beautifully for up to 1 month. To serve from frozen, transfer to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. The texture remains remarkably similar.

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Yes, with some adjustments. Thaw frozen strawberries completely, drain excess liquid (save it for smoothies!), and then proceed with the recipe. You may need slightly less sugar as frozen berries often taste sweeter when thawed.

How can I make this strawberry mousse vegan?

Replace the heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream (the solid part from a refrigerated can of coconut milk) and whip until stiff peaks form. The flavor will have a subtle coconut note that pairs beautifully with strawberries.

Can I use this as a cake filling?

For cake filling, I recommend refrigerating the mousse for at least 1 hour before using to help it set up more firmly. It works beautifully between cake layers or as a filling for cream puffs!

More Strawberry Desserts You’ll Love

If you enjoy this strawberry mousse, be sure to try these other berry-licious treats:

10-Minute Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits
Easy Strawberry Icebox Cake: No-Bake Dessert
Easy Strawberry Lemon Blondies Recipe
Classic Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Fool (An Even Easier Strawberry Dessert!)
Fresh Strawberry Tart with Mascarpone Cream
Easy Strawberry Chocolate Mousse recipe

Perfect Strawberry Mousse recipe

This easy strawberry mousse requires just 4 ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time—no gelatin and no baking required! The perfect make-ahead dessert for any occasion.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours (minimum)
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 298 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound fresh strawberries (about 3 cups once hulled and quartered)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Optional: 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
For garnish: Additional fresh strawberries, mint leaves, powdered sugar

Instructions

Prepare strawberries: Hull and quarter strawberries, reserving a few for garnish. Place the rest in a blender or food processor.
Make puree: Add sugar (and lemon juice if using) to the strawberries and blend until completely smooth. Pass through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds if desired.
Reserve puree: Set aside 1/3 cup of the strawberry puree for layering. Refrigerate both portions while preparing the cream.
Whip cream: In a chilled bowl, combine cold heavy cream and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, whip until stiff peaks form, about 3-4 minutes.
Fold mixtures: Gently fold about 1/3 of the whipped cream into the larger portion of strawberry puree to lighten it. Then carefully fold in the remaining whipped cream until just combined with no white streaks.
Assemble: Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of the reserved strawberry puree into the bottom of each serving glass. Carefully spoon or pipe the strawberry mousse on top.
Chill: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 4+ hours.
Serve: Just before serving, garnish with fresh strawberry slices and mint leaves if desired.

Notes | Strawberry Mousse recipe

For best results, ensure all ingredients and equipment for whipping cream are very cold.
Taste your strawberries first—if they’re very sweet, you may want to reduce the sugar slightly.
For a firmer mousse that can be used as a cake filling, refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
This recipe can be made up to 24 hours ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.

Nutrition | Strawberry Mousse recipe

Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

The Secret to Incredibly Fluffy Strawberry Mousse

What separates an ordinary strawberry mousse from an extraordinary one comes down to technique. Here’s what professional pastry chefs know that makes all the difference:

Temperature matters: All ingredients should be properly chilled—except your strawberries, which should be room temperature for maximum flavor release.
The folding technique: Use a large rubber spatula and a gentle down-across-up-and-over motion. This preserves the air bubbles in your whipped cream, resulting in a lighter, fluffier mousse.
Patience pays off: While this mousse is delicious immediately, the flavor and texture improve dramatically after 4+ hours in the refrigerator.

Whether you’re serving this simple yet elegant dessert for a special occasion or simply indulging your strawberry cravings, this perfect strawberry mousse recipe delivers professional results with minimal effort. The bright berry flavor and cloud-like texture make it an irresistible ending to any meal—or a delightful midday treat!

If you try this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I’d love to hear how it turned out for you!

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Easy 4-Ingredient Strawberry Mousse Recipe (No Gelatin Needed!)

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