Strawberry Mousse Dessert
Are you a fan of strawberry desserts? If you’ve always wanted to create a delicious strawberry mousse dessert slice like a professional pastry chef, this strawberry mousse dessert slice is for you!
If there’s one dessert that feels like a little slice of luxury, it’s this strawberry mousse cake. It’s soft, creamy, fruity, and just the right amount of indulgent.
Picture this: A moist strawberry cake as the base, topped with the lightest, fluffiest strawberry mousse, and finished with a glossy layer of strawberry filling. It’s chilled to perfection, then sliced into 8 generous squares—because let’s be real, nobody wants a tiny dessert!
I’ve always loved the elegance of mousse cakes, but I wanted something that felt casual yet special, something you could enjoy with a fork at the dinner table or straight from the fridge at midnight (no judgment!). This one hits all the right notes—it’s light but satisfying, fruity but rich, and let’s not forget… absolutely stunning!
If you’re a strawberry lover, this is your dream dessert.
Why is this the best dessert recipe?
- Triple Strawberry Goodness – This isn’t just a strawberry cake; it’s a full-on strawberry experience! From the moist cake base to the airy mousse and luscious strawberry topping, every bite is bursting with real strawberry flavor.
- Perfectly Balanced Texture – The soft cake, creamy mousse, and smooth strawberry filling create the ultimate bite—light, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Looks as Good as It Tastes – With its beautiful layered look, this dessert is elegant yet effortless, making it perfect for a dinner party, afternoon treat, or a fancy café-style indulgence at home.
- Make-Ahead Perfection – Since this dessert needs to be chilled, it’s ideal for prepping in advance! It sets beautifully in the fridge, making slicing easy and giving you a stress-free, stunning dessert ready to serve.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Strawberries – When choosing strawberries, it’s important to look for ones that are plump, firm, and bright red in color.
- Avoid mushy strawberries that have bruises or are a dull color, as they may be overripe or spoiled. Of course, you can also use other berries, such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, or a combination of them.
- Another essential factor to consider is the fragrance of the strawberries. The best strawberries have a sweet and fragrant aroma that is noticeable before you pick them up. If they don’t have any smell, they may be underripe and lacking in flavor.
- Cream cheese – I am using full-fat 38% mascarpone or Philadelphia cream cheese. While the gelatin will set the low-fat cream cheese, I highly recommend no less than 32% fat for richness.
- Heavy cream – Use high-fat whipping cream, no less than 38% fat. Otherwise, the mousse will not set.
- Sugar – I use white sugar in the cake and filling, but powdered sugar in the mousse. The powdered sugar helps stabilize the heavy cream in the mousse.
Step-by-step: Strawberry Dessert slice
The strawberry cake
- Dry ingredients – Combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Wet ingredients – Whip the eggs with sugar until light and foamy. Then, gradually, add the oil, followed by the strawberry puree and food color.
- Combine – Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and combine well.
- Bake – Pour the batter into a lined 8 x 8-inch square cake ring or loose-bottom square cake pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool – When baked, cool the cake in the pan completely while you prepare the mousse.
Pro tip – The cake must be cooled well. Otherwise, the mousse will melt and not set properly.
Mousse and Filling
- Strawberry Mousse – In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, cream the cream cheese and powdered sugar. Then, add the heavy cream and whip until light and fluffy. Next, add the strawberry puree and combine well.
- Strawberry filling – In a saucepan, combine the cornstarch and water. Then, add the strawberry slices and sugar. Simmer over medium heat until thickened. Set aside to cool completely.
Assemble
- Pour the strawberry mousse over the cooled strawberry cake and spread to level. Chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours. Then, pour the cooled strawberry filling over the top. Swirl the pan to ensure an even spread. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Decorate – You can decorate the whole cake with a sliced fresh strawberry. Or, you can cut the cake into 8 pieces/slices and top each with a slice of strawberry.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can make a strawberry cake in advance. And if you plan to bake the cake ahead of time, it is best to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. You can keep the unfrosted cake at room temperature for a day or two, or refrigerate it for longer shelf life. Also, it is recommended to frost the cake closer to the serving time to maintain its freshness.
When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, strawberry mousse can typically last for 2 to 3 days. However, it is best to consume it within the first 24 to 48 hours for the freshest taste and texture.
While fresh strawberries are often preferred for their flavor and texture, you can use frozen strawberries to make strawberry mousse. Thaw the frozen strawberries first and drain off any excess liquid before pureeing them. Also, keep in mind that frozen strawberries may have a slightly different taste and texture compared to fresh ones, but they can still work well in the mousse.
It is not recommended to freeze strawberry mousse, as the texture may change and become watery when thawed. The high water content in strawberries can affect the texture and result in a less desirable consistency. It is best to enjoy strawberry mousse when it is freshly made or stored in the refrigerator for a short period.
Strawberry Mousse Dessert Slice
Are you a fan of strawberry desserts? If you've always wanted to create a delicious strawberry mousse dessert slice like a professional pastry chef, this strawberry mousse dessert slice is for you!
Video
Ingredients
- 190 grams (1.5 cups) All-purpose flour
- ¾ tsp Baking powder
- ½ tsp Baking soda
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 2 large Eggs
- ¾ cup White sugar
- 60 ml (0.25 cups) Cooking oil
- 60 ml (0.25 cups) Strawberry puree (about 10 strawberries – preferably reduced)
- ¼ tsp Pink food color
- 1 cup Cream cheese 38 – 40%
- ½ cup Heavy cream 38%
- ⅓ cup Powdered sugar
- ½ cup Strawberry puree (about 8 strawberries)
- 1 cup Strawberry slices (about 8 strawberries)
- ¼ cup White granulated sugar
- 1 cup Water
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch or tapioca starch
Method
- Dry ingredients – Combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.190 grams All-purpose flour, ¾ tsp Baking powder, ½ tsp Baking soda , ¼ tsp Salt
- Wet ingredients – Whip the eggs with sugar until light and foamy. Then, gradually, add the oil, followed by the strawberry puree and food color.2 large Eggs, ¾ cup White sugar, 60 ml Cooking oil , ¼ tsp Pink food color, 60 ml Strawberry puree
- Combine – Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and combine well.
- Bake – Pour the batter into a lined 8 x 8-inch square cake ring or loose-bottom square cake pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool – When baked, cool the cake in the pan completely while you prepare the mousse. Pro tip – The cake must be cooled well. Otherwise, the mousse will melt and not set properly.
- Strawberry Mousse – In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, cream the cream cheese and powdered sugar. Then, add the heavy cream and whip until light and fluffy. Add the strawberry puree and combine well.1 cup Cream cheese, ½ cup Heavy cream, ⅓ cup Powdered sugar, ½ cup Strawberry puree
- Strawberry filling – In a saucepan, combine the cornstarch and water. Then, add the strawberry slices and sugar. Simmer over medium heat until thickened. Set aside to cool completely.1 cup Strawberry slices, ¼ cup White granulated sugar, 1 cup Water, 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- – Pour the strawberry mousse over the cooled strawberry cake and spread to level. Chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours. – Then, pour the cooled strawberry filling over the top. Swirl the pan to ensure an even spread. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Decorate – You can decorate the whole cake with a sliced fresh strawberry. Or, you can cut the cake into 8 pieces/slices and top each with a slice of strawberry.
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients – the freshest and most flavorful strawberries are key. Local and seasonal strawberries are always the best option, but if not available, look for ones picked at peak ripeness. Taking the time to choose the right strawberries will significantly enhance the overall taste of your dessert.
- To ensure that the mousse has the perfect texture and taste, it’s essential to use the proper technique when mixing the ingredients. Start by whipping the cream cheese and heavy cream with powdered sugar to stiff peaks, then fold in the strawberry puree slowly and gently. Be careful not to overmix, as this can cause the mousse to become dense and heavy.
- Another important tip is to chill the mousse thoroughly before serving. This will allow it to set properly and ensure it holds its shape when sliced. It’s best to let it chill in the refrigerator for at least a few hours or overnight if possible.
- While the strawberry filling is an option consider adding the strawberry filling on top to elevate your strawberry mousse dessert slice to the next level. This sweet and tangy sauce is easy to make and adds a burst of flavor that perfectly complements the creamy texture of the mousse.
- To add a professional touch, consider adding a splash of liqueur like Grand Marnier or Chambord to your coulis. This will give it an extra layer of flavor and complexity.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the slice cleanly, and make sure your cuts are even.
- Consider adding a dollop of whipped cream or a few fresh berries on the side of the slice for an extra pop of color.
- Use a decorative plate or place the slice on a bed of fresh mint leaves for an eye-catching display.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
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What a gorgeous dessert! I love strawberries so I’m definitely going to give this a try soon.
I made your cake for my wife’s book club, and everyone loved it. It was such a delicious mousse cake.
Thank you, Dennis
Yum! These look super tasty! I love this idea for parties, having smaller dessert options.
I have never done this before. It looks so delicious and looks so easy to make. Yum!
This turned out beautifully. I had some strawberry crunch topping leftover from cupcakes, so I sprinkled that on top too. It was delicious and would make again.
Thank you, Kristina
I made this for a summer birthday party for the adults so they didn’t need to eat cupcakes, but the kids got to it first! They loved it, so it looks like something I’ll need to make often. Thanks for the great recipe!
Thank you, Madelyn
The instructions were perfect and helpful. My cake came out fantastic. This is the best summer dessert.