If you’re craving something light, fluffy, and bursting with fresh fruity flavor, this Strawberry Mousse Recipe is absolutely your go-to dessert. I love this recipe because it’s incredibly simple to whip up, yet always feels like a special treat. Whether you’re surprising family after dinner or want a quick sweet bite during the day, you’ll find this mousse delightfully creamy and refreshingly sweet without being overwhelming. Stick around—I’m going to walk you through every step, share my favorite tweaks, and make sure your mousse turns out perfect every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy and Quick: You’ll have this mousse ready in about 5 minutes—perfect for last-minute desserts.
- Fresh & Fruity Flavor: The strawberries keep it bright and naturally sweet without needing tons of added sugar.
- Versatile Ingredients: Use cream cheese, yogurt, or coconut cream depending on your preference or dietary needs.
- Perfect Texture Every Time: Chill it well and you’ll get that beautiful, airy mousse consistency that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All these ingredients blend so beautifully to create a light yet creamy texture. You don’t need fancy stuff, and I find these common ingredients easy to keep stocked at home. Plus, by switching between cream cheese, yogurt, or coconut cream, you can customize this strawberry mousse recipe to your liking or what you have on hand.

- Cream Cheese or Coconut Cream: Cream cheese makes a rich, velvety mousse, while coconut cream is a fabulous dairy-free alternative; just make sure it’s thick and creamy, not flaky.
- Yogurt or Additional Cream Cheese/Coconut Cream: Yogurt adds a gentle tang and softness—pick Greek yogurt for creaminess or swap in more cream cheese or coconut cream for extra indulgence.
- Powdered Sugar or Sugar-Free Alternative: I prefer powdered sugar here because it dissolves smoothly, but sugar-free options work if you want a lighter dessert.
- Fresh Strawberries: Ripe, fragrant berries are key—you want them sweet and vibrant for the best flavor.
- Vanilla Bean Paste (Optional): Just a little jazzes up the flavor, giving a warm vanilla undertone without overpowering the strawberries.
Variations
I always encourage mixing things up with this strawberry mousse recipe because it’s so forgiving. Changing the base or adding mix-ins can turn a simple mousse into something new and exciting. Feel free to experiment with flavors and textures to make it your own.
- Dairy-Free Version: Using coconut cream exclusively makes a silky dairy-free strawberry mousse that even my non-vegan friends rave about.
- Lower Sugar Option: Swap powdered sugar for a natural alternative like erythritol or monk fruit sweetener to keep it light but still sweet.
- Berry Mix-Up: I’ve tried swapping strawberries for raspberries or blueberries, and each berry brings a slightly different zing that’s equally delicious.
- Fancy Touch: A splash of liqueur like Grand Marnier or strawberry vodka can turn this mousse into an elegant dessert for adults.
How to Make Strawberry Mousse Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients Just Right
First things first, if you’re using cream cheese, let it come to room temperature—that’s really important because it blends way easier and keeps your mousse silky smooth. If you’re choosing coconut cream, open the can and scoop out only the thick, creamy part (not the watery stuff at the bottom). Sometimes coconut cream cans separate, so if it’s flaky or hard, it won’t give you the mousse texture you want, so better to swap to cream cheese in that case.
Step 2: Puree Those Strawberries
Remove the stems from your strawberries and either mash them up with a fork or pop them in a blender or food processor for a quick puree. I usually blitz mine so there are no chunks, giving the mousse a smooth, even texture. If you want a bit of texture, feel free to leave it slightly chunkier!
Step 3: Blend Everything Together
Combine the pureed strawberries, room temp cream cheese (or coconut cream), yogurt, powdered sugar, and vanilla bean paste into your blender, food processor, or bowl if using a hand mixer. Blend until everything is totally smooth and fluffy. I find that using a hand mixer gives you great control over the texture, but a blender works in a pinch.
Step 4: Chill and Set
Pour your luscious mousse into individual serving dishes or one large bowl and pop it into the fridge. It needs to chill for at least an hour so it can thicken—trust me, the wait is worth it! This enables the mousse to reach that perfect airy, spoonable texture that everyone loves.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Mousse Recipe
- Room Temp Cream Cheese Is Key: I learned this the hard way—cold cream cheese creates lumps that are hard to fix, so be patient and let it soften first.
- Use Fresh, Ripe Strawberries: The fresher and sweeter your berries, the better the flavor, so this step really makes a difference in taste.
- Chill It Well: Don’t skip the chilling time; it magically transforms the texture and sets the mousse into that perfect cloud-like consistency.
- Blend Thoroughly, But Don’t Overdo It: Blend until smooth, but avoid overbeating, which can cause the mousse to separate or become grainy.
How to Serve Strawberry Mousse Recipe

Garnishes
I love topping my strawberry mousse with fresh mint leaves and a few sliced strawberries for a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes, a light dusting of cocoa powder or a few crunchy toasted almonds adds a nice texture contrast that my family can’t get enough of.
Side Dishes
Pair this mousse with buttery shortbread cookies or homemade biscotti for a delightful crunchy side. It’s also fantastic alongside a simple green salad if you’re serving it after a big meal and want that sweet finish without feeling too heavy.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, try layering the strawberry mousse with granola and fresh berries in a clear glass to create a parfait effect. I once used elegant martini glasses sprinkled with edible rose petals for a Valentine’s Day dinner—easy but impressively pretty.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which rarely happens in my house!), store them covered tightly in the fridge for up to 2 days. The mousse holds its texture well but will soften a bit, so give it a gentle stir before serving.
Freezing
I don’t usually freeze this mousse because it can affect the texture, making it a bit grainy once thawed. But if you must, freeze in airtight containers and thaw overnight in the fridge. Expect a slight change in creaminess upon thawing.
Reheating
This dessert is best enjoyed cold, so instead of reheating, just serve leftover mousse straight from the fridge. If it feels too stiff, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before digging in.
FAQs
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Can I make this strawberry mousse recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Swap the cream cheese and yogurt for coconut cream or a plant-based cream cheese alternative, and choose a vegan powdered sugar or sweetener. Coconut cream gives a wonderfully creamy, dairy-free result.
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What can I use instead of cream cheese?
Yogurt or coconut cream work beautifully as substitutes. Greek yogurt makes it tangy and creamy, while coconut cream offers a rich, tropical flavor—just make sure it’s the thick cream portion for the best mousse texture.
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How long does strawberry mousse last in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, strawberry mousse keeps well for about 2 days. Beyond that, the texture can start to break down and become watery, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.
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Can I make strawberry mousse ahead of time for a party?
Yes! You can prepare it up to 24 hours ahead and chill it in the fridge. This actually helps the mousse set perfectly and makes your party prep easier.
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Why is my strawberry mousse not setting properly?
This usually happens if your cream cheese is too cold or coconut cream isn’t thick enough. Always use room temperature cream cheese and the thick coconut cream part, and make sure to chill the mousse well for at least an hour.
Final Thoughts
This strawberry mousse recipe is one of those gems I keep coming back to—not just because it’s delicious, but because it’s foolproof and versatile. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it becomes your quick go-to for a refreshing, elegant dessert that never fails to impress. Next time you’re craving strawberries with a bit of creamy flair, give this mousse a try—you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Strawberry Mousse Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Delight in this light and creamy Strawberry Mousse, a luscious dessert made with cream cheese or coconut cream blended with fresh strawberries and a touch of sweetness. Perfectly airy and smooth, it’s an ideal treat for any occasion that can easily be customized to be dairy-free or sugar-free.
Ingredients
Base 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
Fruit
- 5 medium size strawberries
Optional Flavoring
- 1/4 tsp vanilla bean paste (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Cream Cheese or Coconut Cream: If using cream cheese, allow it to come to room temperature for easier blending. If using coconut cream, open the can and ensure the contents are thick and creamy. Avoid using coconut cream that is hard or flaky as it won’t work well for this recipe.
- Prepare Strawberries: Remove the stems from the strawberries. Then puree them by blending or mashing thoroughly until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cream cheese or coconut cream, yogurt or additional cream cheese/coconut cream, powdered sugar or sugar-free alternative, and optional vanilla bean paste to the pureed strawberries.
- Blend the Mousse: Using a food processor, blender, or hand mixer, blend all ingredients together until the mixture is completely smooth and airy.
- Chill: Transfer the mousse into serving dishes and refrigerate. Allow it to chill for at least an hour to let it thicken considerably and develop its light mousse texture before serving.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, use coconut cream exclusively and substitute yogurt with more coconut cream.
- Adjust sweetness by choosing powdered sugar or a sugar-free alternative based on preference or dietary needs.
- If the coconut cream is not thick enough, refrigerate the can overnight before opening to help it solidify.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- The mousse thickens as it chills, so be sure to refrigerate for optimal texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (approx. 100g)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg


