If you have a soft spot for fruity, fluffy desserts that feel like a gentle summer breeze on a plate, you are in for a real treat with this Strawberry Mousse Cake Recipe. Combining a delicate, lightly baked cake base with an airy, luscious strawberry mousse topping, this cake strikes the perfect balance between sweet and refreshing. The fresh strawberries infuse every bite with natural brightness, while the creamy mousse adds a silky texture that melts in your mouth. It truly is a showstopper dessert that tastes as wonderful as it looks, sure to delight anyone at your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet essential, each one playing its part to bring vibrant color, rich flavor, and that irresistible mousse texture to life. Fresh strawberries provide natural sweetness and color, while the eggs and butter create a tender cake foundation.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the cake and gives structure with a soft crumb.
- Baking powder: Helps the cake rise beautifully, making it light and airy.
- Salt: Enhances flavor by balancing the sweetness.
- Large eggs, room temperature: Bind the ingredients and add richness to the cake.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the cake and the mousse layers perfectly.
- Whole milk: Adds moisture and tenderness to the cake.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Introduces richness and a silky texture.
- Vanilla extract: Boosts flavor with a warm, aromatic touch.
- Fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped: The star of the mousse, providing natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the strawberry flavor and balances sweetness.
- Unflavored gelatin: Sets the mousse for that smooth, luxurious texture.
- Cold water: Needed to bloom the gelatin properly.
- Heavy whipping cream: Whipped to stiff peaks, it creates the mousse’s light, fluffy consistency.
- Fresh strawberries for topping: Adds a gorgeous fresh touch just before serving.
- Optional whipped cream for garnish: An extra creamy flourish if you want to get fancy.
How to Make Strawberry Mousse Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Layer
Start by greasing and lining a 9-inch springform pan, then preheat your oven so it’s ready to go. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in one bowl. Beat the eggs with sugar in another until light and fluffy, then gently mix in the melted butter, milk, and vanilla. Fold the dry ingredients into this mixture just until combined—don’t overmix or the cake might become dense! Pour the batter into your pan and bake for about 20-22 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool completely in the pan, because the mousse needs a solid but soft base to set on.
Step 2: Make the Strawberry Mousse
While your cake cools, it’s mousse time! Simmer the fresh chopped strawberries with sugar and lemon juice to soften the berries and dissolve the sugar—this step releases the sweetest berry flavor possible. Puree the mixture until smooth, then bloom your gelatin in cold water while the puree cools down a little. Stir the melted gelatin into the warm strawberry puree for a perfect set. In a separate bowl, whip your heavy cream until stiff peaks form. This is the magic that makes the mousse light and airy. Carefully fold the strawberry mixture into the whipped cream, taking your time to keep the mousse fluffy and full of strawberry goodness.
Step 3: Assemble and Chill
Pour the luscious mousse over the cooled cake base in your springform pan. Smooth the top with a spatula for an even layer and pop it in the fridge for at least four hours. This chilling step is key to achieving that classic mousse texture that’s firm enough to slice but still irresistibly creamy.
Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches
When your mousse cake has set, gently loosen it from the springform pan to reveal those beautiful, smooth sides. Arrange fresh strawberries sliced or halved on top and add dollops of whipped cream for extra indulgence, if you like. Now it’s ready to be sliced and shared!
How to Serve Strawberry Mousse Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh strawberries are always the star garnish here, but you can also get playful with mint leaves for a pop of green or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a touch of elegance. Small edible flowers can turn your Strawberry Mousse Cake Recipe into a dessert fit for a celebration.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a simple berry compote to complement the mousse’s delicate flavor. Light herbal teas or chilled sparkling rosé drinks can elevate the dessert experience without overpowering the cake’s subtle sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to wow your guests, try serving individual slices on colorful plates or even as mini versions in clear glasses, layering cake cubes with mousse and fresh berries. This alternative presentation of the Strawberry Mousse Cake Recipe makes dessert feel like a special event every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Strawberry Mousse Cake refrigerated, covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container to maintain freshness. It should stay delicious for up to 3 days, though the fresh strawberries on top are best added just before serving if you plan to store it longer.
Freezing
This cake freezes well, which is perfect for planning ahead. Wrap it securely after it has fully chilled, making sure to protect the delicate mousse layer with extra plastic wrap or foil. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture and flavor retention.
Reheating
Since this is a chilled mousse cake, reheating is not necessary or recommended. It’s best served cold to maintain that wonderfully light mousse texture and refreshing strawberry flavor that defines the Strawberry Mousse Cake Recipe.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh for this recipe?
While fresh strawberries give the best flavor and texture, you can substitute frozen ones. Just make sure to thaw and drain them well before using to avoid extra moisture weakening the mousse’s consistency.
Is there a dairy-free version of this cake?
Yes! You can replace the heavy cream with coconut cream whipped to stiff peaks and swap the butter with a dairy-free alternative. Keep in mind that flavors and texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
How long does the gelatin take to set the mousse?
The gelatin sets fairly quickly once chilled, but the full 4 hours in the refrigerator ensures the mousse is firm enough to slice nicely and maintain its light, silky texture.
Can I make this Strawberry Mousse Cake Recipe a day ahead?
Absolutely! In fact, making it a day in advance allows the flavors to meld beautifully and makes slicing easier. Just keep it well covered in the fridge.
What if I don’t have a springform pan?
You can use a regular cake pan lined with parchment paper, but a springform pan makes removing the delicate mousse cake much easier and neater.
Final Thoughts
If you’re dreaming of a dessert that’s both elegant and approachable, the Strawberry Mousse Cake Recipe is your perfect match. Its blend of light cake, fruity mousse, and fresh berries is simply irresistible. Once you try it, this strawberry beauty will quickly become one of your favorite desserts to share with friends and family. So roll up your sleeves, gather those fresh strawberries, and treat yourself to some pure dessert bliss!
Print
Strawberry Mousse Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 57 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A light and airy strawberry mousse cake featuring a soft sponge cake base topped with a smooth, creamy strawberry mousse and fresh strawberry garnish. Perfect for summer gatherings or as a delightful dessert to showcase fresh berries.
Ingredients
Cake Layer
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Strawberry Mousse
- 2 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
Topping
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved or sliced
- Optional whipped cream for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Layer: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract, mixing gently. Fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
- Make the Strawberry Puree: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine chopped strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the berries soften and the sugar dissolves. Use an immersion blender or transfer to a regular blender and puree until smooth.
- Prepare Gelatin: Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a small bowl and let it bloom for 5 minutes. Stir the bloomed gelatin into the warm strawberry puree until fully dissolved. Let this mixture cool to room temperature.
- Whip Cream: In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the cooled strawberry mixture into the whipped cream until well combined, forming the mousse.
- Assemble the Cake: Pour the strawberry mousse over the cooled cake layer in the springform pan, smoothing the top evenly. Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours, or until the mousse is fully set.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, top the mousse cake with fresh sliced or halved strawberries and optional whipped cream. Carefully release the cake from the springform pan and slice to serve.
Notes
- For a stronger strawberry flavor, add a tablespoon of strawberry jam to the puree when blending.
- The cake can be made a day in advance and chilled overnight to make slicing easier.
- Ensure gelatin is fully dissolved to maintain smooth mousse texture.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for best flavor and color.
