Strawberry Mousse Recipe

Monet (yes—that Monet!) loved this Strawberry Mousse. And you will, too.

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Monet was a fan of strawberry mousse? Apparently, yes! His kitchen turned out beautiful dishes for the man who captured the beauty all around him. If you’d like to know more, look up Claude Monet’s Kitchen, adapted from Monet’s Table: The Cooking Journals of Claude Monet. Suffice it to say, he knew his gardens well, and how to receive guests with style and grace.

Strawberry mousse is one of those simple, yet elegant culinary delights in life. Monet believed in eating with the seasons, and we can also benefit from that. So in June, where we live, it’s strawberry time! Now the trick is to get them before the chipmunks do. But really, with the modern convenience of flash-frozen berries, this recipe can be enjoyed any time of the year.

You’re going to love the simple fruit and cream lusciousness of this decadent treat. Elegant enough for a wedding or bridal shower table, it’s also quite right for a lunch treat any day of the week. Enjoy a bit of culinary and art history with your vitamin C!

Here’s another mousse recipe to try, Healthy Brownie Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Parfaits. Because who wants to try a dish once? You need some different mousse versions in your life!

Is Strawberry Mousse Healthy?

Strawberries are high in vitamin C. A serving of this will provide about 80% of your daily requirement. There’s also 6% iron, which is one little way to start adding up your iron requirement for the day. Yes, it is high in fat due to the cream, and does contain 21 grams of sugar. So there’s that. And then a bit of protein and calcium. This particular recipe is relatively light, as mousses go, because it doesn’t include eggs or egg whites. Fruit for dessert is generally a win-win.

You could substitute in non-dairy heavy cream to cut down on the fat a bit and create a vegan treat. Coconut cream would work well. You can even substitute in honey or agave syrup to replace the sugar, but it won’t be quite the same as the delight served in Monet’s kitchen. This recipe is vegetarian if prepared as written.

Alterations and Garnishes…

I’m wondering if Monet’s amazing cook provided other mousses, according to what was ripe in the beautiful grounds right outside their door. Raspberries and blackberries instead of—or combined with— strawberries would be nice. I wonder if she had access to good chocolate, for a chocolate mousse.

Speaking of chocolate! A bit of shaved chocolate, or a white chocolate drizzle would be a welcome garnish for this strawberry mousse. A few slices of the fruit, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a dollop of the whipped cream will create a beautiful presentation. This calls for the good china, or the pretty little glass bowls.

INGREDIENTS

1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled

INSTRUCTIONS

Purée

Blend strawberries and sugar.

Whip

Whip heavy cream to peaks.

Fold

Combine purée with whipped cream.

Chill

Refrigerate mousse to set.

Garnish

Add fresh strawberries before serving.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

Mousse is best made and served the same day. When refrigerating it so it sets up, be sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap. It can be refrigerated either in serving bowls or individual serving glasses. It is possible to keep leftovers for up to 2 days. It’s not going to hold its airy shape completely, though.

What is a ‘mousse’, exactly?

A mousse is a dish that’s whipped until it’s light and foamy, so it’s very airy. It’s served cold and can be sweet or savory. Generally, it includes the base, egg foam, a setting agent, and whipped cream. The base is the flavor element, in this case strawberries. Often, gelatin or cornstarch is used as a setting agent. It’s important to use cold equipment, so chill the bowl and the beaters or the whisk.

Is it possible to bring back the airy texture to a mousse that has ‘fallen’?

Yes, you can re-whip the mousse to get it airy again. Be careful to not overwhip, as that will result in a grainy texture. It’s possible to rescue the grainy texture by adding more cream, but let’s avoid that!

Serving Suggestions

A nice crunchy biscotti will be the perfect foil to this creamy dessert. So try Gingerbread Gluten Free Biscotti with Coffee Glaze.

If you’re enjoying a summer afternoon by the pool and want to make an event of it, then serve this strawberry mousse alongside other sweet favorites, such as Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding or a slice of Blueberry Cheesecake.