3 Ingredient Strawberry Mousse

Introduction

I’ve always believed desserts don’t need to be complicated to be impressive. My favorite example is this 3-ingredient strawberry mousse, which tastes fancy but is ridiculously easy to throw together. I can do this in under 15 minutes, and each time I serve this, people think I have been slaved away in the kitchen for hours. That is the essence of this mousse: low effort, high wow.

What Is Strawberry Mousse?

Strawberry mousse is a light and airy dessert made by folding fresh strawberry puree into whipped cream, resulting in a fluffy and creamy dessert full of natural strawberry flavor. Traditionally, mousse recipes are complicated by the presence of gelatin, egg whites, and long chilling times, but this one eschews all that. A few strawberries, sugar, and cream are all you need for something looking elegant and indulgent, letting you sit back and relax.

Why This Recipe Is Special

This mousse is special to me because it bridges the gap between a quick weeknight dessert and something I’d serve proudly to guests. It shines a light on strawberries in their purest form, sweet, bright, and refreshing only enhances them with minimal support. You can further dress it up with flavor additions or toppings, depending on whatever mood you’re in.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s why I think you’ll fall in love with it:

• Only 3 ingredients – nothing fancy, just the basics.
• Super quick – ready in 15 minutes, no oven required.
• Light yet indulgent – the texture is creamy but not heavy.
• Customizable – swap strawberries for raspberries, add a drizzle of chocolate, or layer it with cookies.
• Crowd-pleaser – it looks beautiful and tastes like something from a bakery.

Tools You’ll Need

Think of these tools as your little helpers. Nothing complicated, just kitchen staples.

• Blender or food processor – to puree the strawberries into a silky base.
• Mixing bowls – one for the strawberries, one for the cream.
• Electric hand mixer or stand mixer – unless you want an arm workout whipping cream by hand.
• Spatula – for folding everything together gently without losing that fluffy texture.
• Measuring cups and spoons (or a kitchen scale) – to keep ingredient ratios just right.
• Serving glasses or bowls – because presentation is half the fun.

Ingredients (US & Metric)

• 2 cups (300 g) fresh strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped
• 1/3 cup (65 g) granulated sugar (adjust based on the sweetness of berries)
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream, cold

That’s it—three ingredients you probably already have or can grab quickly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Puree the strawberries

Put strawberries and sugar in the blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and vivid. Taste-if it is too sour for your liking, add a tiny bit more sugar.

(TIP: Strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve if you want an absolutely smooth mousse with no seeds. I don’t always bother, but it would be a real plus if serving guests.)

2. Whip the cream

In a cooled bowl, with an electric mixer on medium-high, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form. A soft peak means that it holds a peak when the beaters are lifted; however, the tip curls over slightly. But, if you’re not too sure about it, don’t worry: you’ll know it’s done when it looks thick, almost like clouds, rather than being runny.

3. Fold it together

Gently fold the strawberry puree into the whipped cream with a spatula. Start with about a third of the puree, then add the rest until completely incorporated. Take your time. This step is when all the air goes into the mousse, keeping it very light!

4. Chill and serve

Spoon the mousse into cups or bowls. Cover and chill for 30 minutes at least, to allow the bright flavors to mingle and the texture to set up nicely.

Serving Ideas

• Fresh strawberry slices make a bright addition.
• For crunch, add some crushed cookies or graham crackers.
• Drizzle with chocolate sauce or add a dollop of whipped cream.
• Layer it in a parfait glass with granola for a breakfast-style treat.

Variations and Customization

• Raspberry mousse: Replace strawberries with raspberries.
• Citrus twist: Add a teaspoon of lemon or lime zest to the puree.
• Chocolate lovers: Fold in a couple of tablespoons of melted white or dark chocolate.
• Vegan version: Use coconut cream in place of heavy cream and maple syrup instead of sugar.

Storage and Make-Ahead

• Fridge: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: You can freeze mousse for up to 1 month – just thaw in the fridge before serving.
• Make-ahead: Prepare it one day prior to serving and let it chill overnight.

Pro Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

• Keep the cream cold – warm cream won’t whip properly. I even chill my bowl and beaters for 10 minutes.
• Don’t overwhip – if the cream turns grainy, you’ve gone too far. Stop once soft peaks form.
• Taste as you go – strawberries vary in sweetness, so adjust sugar to your liking.
• Fold, don’t stir – stirring deflates the cream. Think gentle scooping motions with your spatula.

Recipe Card

Yield: 4 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

Chill time: 30 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: ~220
• Fat: 15 g
• Carbs: 18 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Fiber: 2 g

Final Thoughts

It’s all here in this 3-ingredient strawberry mousse-the very best proof that simplicity can be stunning, or at least that’s how everyone believes before they start. Their surprise is always hidden within themselves, not understanding how anyone could ever make something so elegantly beautiful without a lot of effort. I’m on about what you could do with it, and can’t wait for you to try it, to see how fun it is to whip up and how quickly it disappears once served. If you do make it for yourself, let me know how it turned out or what creative twist you added. Sharing good food is always better when shared with friends.