Do you ever crave something light, sweet, and just a little fancy? That’s exactly how I felt the first time I made this Strawberry Mousse Cake. The soft pink layers made me smile right away.

I couldn’t stop tasting the fluffy mousse. It felt like eating a cloud with berries hidden inside. And honestly, it was so easy, I kept thinking, “Why didn’t I try this sooner?”

If you love strawberries as much as I do, then this cake is about to be your new favorite. Let me show you how simple it is to make, and how much joy it brings to the table.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Mousse Cake Recipe

Easy to Make: Despite the fancy appearance, this cake is surprisingly simple to prepare. It’s an easy, no-bake dessert that anyone can make, even if you’re not an experienced baker.
Refreshing and Light: The mousse gives this cake a creamy texture that’s not overly sweet, while fresh strawberries add the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
Perfect for Any Celebration: Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or just a sweet end to a regular day, this cake is bound to impress everyone who tries it.
No-Bake: There’s no baking required for this mousse cake! You’ll be chilling it in the fridge for the perfect setting time, which makes it great for making ahead of time.
Gluten-Free-Friendly: Thanks to the golden Oreo crust, this cake is naturally gluten-free (just be sure to double-check the label on the cookies to be sure!).

Required Kitchen Tools

Here’s what you’ll need to create this showstopping dessert:

Springform Pan (9-inch): Ideal for mousse cakes, this allows for easy release and presentation.
Mixing Bowls: A few medium-sized bowls to prepare the mousse and fruit topping.
Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: To whip the heavy cream into soft peaks.
Rubber Spatula: For mixing and folding ingredients.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements will help ensure the perfect consistency and flavor.
Refrigerator: You’ll need to chill this cake to set the mousse and the topping.

Ingredients

You’ll need a few key ingredients to create this cake. Let’s break them down:

For the Base:

1 ½ cups (240 g) Golden Oreo cookie crumbs (about 24 cookies): The buttery and slightly sweet flavor of these cookies adds a rich base to the mousse cake.
¼ cup (59 g) unsalted butter, melted: The butter helps bind the cookie crumbs together, creating a solid and delicious crust.

For the Mousse:

4 teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder: This helps set the mousse and gives it a light, fluffy texture.
3 tablespoons cold water: Used to bloom the gelatin and activate it.
1 ¾ cups (420 ml) heavy whipping cream: Whipped to soft peaks, this provides the mousse with its creamy texture.
4 ounces (113 g) Mascarpone cheese (or cream cheese): This adds a rich, smooth texture to the mousse filling.
1 cup (120 g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tangy strawberries.
1 tablespoon vanilla extract: For an extra layer of flavor.
½ teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor.

For the Topping:

1 ½ cups (230 g) fresh chopped strawberries: This fresh strawberry topping adds a burst of color and flavor to the cake.
¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar: Sweetens the strawberries and creates a syrupy sauce when combined.
2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder: Ensures that the strawberry topping sets well and doesn’t slide off the cake.
2 tablespoons cold water: Used to activate the gelatin and help it set the topping.
Fresh strawberries (optional, for garnish): Use whole strawberries to decorate the top of the cake for a stunning presentation.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Strawberry Mousse Cake

1. Prepare the Base

Start by preparing the crust. The base of this cake is made with Golden Oreos, which offer a sweet, buttery flavor and a nice crunch.

Step 1: In a food processor, pulse the Golden Oreos until they are finely crushed. If you don’t have a food processor, you can place the cookies in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin until fine crumbs form.
Step 2: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the cookie crumbs with the melted butter. Stir until the crumbs are evenly coated.
Step 3: Press the cookie mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Use the back of a spoon or a glass to press the crumbs tightly into place to form a solid base.
Step 4: Chill the crust in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes while you prepare the mousse. This helps the crust firm up before adding the mousse layer.

2. Make the Strawberry Mousse Filling

The mousse filling is the star of this cake, and it’s easier to make than you might think. Just follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Bloom the gelatin by sprinkling 4 teaspoons of unflavored gelatin powder over 3 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to absorb the water and soften.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with a hand mixer or stand mixer until it reaches soft peaks. This may take about 3-4 minutes on medium-high speed.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk the mascarpone cheese, sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt together until smooth and creamy.
Step 4: In a small saucepan over low heat, gently heat the bloomed gelatin until it becomes liquid. Be careful not to boil it. Once melted, allow it to cool slightly.
Step 5: Gradually fold the mascarpone mixture into the whipped cream using a rubber spatula until fully combined.
Step 6: Pour the slightly cooled gelatin into the mousse mixture, stirring to combine evenly.
Step 7: Finally, gently fold in the fresh chopped strawberries, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the mousse.
Step 8: Pour the mousse mixture onto the chilled cookie crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Step 9: Return the cake to the refrigerator and chill for at least 3-4 hours, or until the mousse has fully set. You can also chill it overnight for the best results.

3. Make the Strawberry Topping

While your mousse cake is setting, prepare the strawberry topping:

Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries with granulated sugar. Stir occasionally and cook over medium heat until the strawberries start to break down and release their juices (about 5 minutes).
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix the gelatin powder with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Let it bloom for about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Once the strawberries have softened, remove them from the heat and stir in the gelatin mixture. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
Step 4: Allow the strawberry topping to cool to room temperature, then spread it over the set mousse layer.

4. Assemble and Serve

Once the topping is set and the mousse cake is fully chilled, it’s time to assemble and serve!

Step 1: Pour the cooled strawberry topping over the mousse layer and spread it evenly to cover the entire surface.
Step 2: Return the cake to the refrigerator to chill for another hour or so to allow the topping to set.
Step 3: Before serving, garnish with fresh whole strawberries for a beautiful touch. If you want to add more flair, you can drizzle extra strawberry syrup over the top.
Step 4: Carefully remove the sides of the springform pan and place the cake on a serving platter. Slice and serve chilled.

Variations for Strawberry Mousse Cake

While this cake is absolutely delicious as is, you can always get creative and tweak it to suit your preferences!

Different Fruit: Swap the strawberries for raspberries, blueberries, or even mangoes to create different fruity mousse cakes.
Chocolate Crust: For a richer base, use chocolate cookies instead of Golden Oreos to complement the sweetness of the mousse.
Add Whipped Cream: For extra indulgence, top the cake with a layer of whipped cream before adding the strawberry topping.
Use Strawberry Puree: For a stronger strawberry flavor, blend fresh strawberries into a puree and mix it into the mousse instead of chopped strawberries.

How to Serve Strawberry Mousse Cake

This cake is the perfect centerpiece for any special occasion, and you can serve it in many creative ways:

For a Sweet Treat: Serve slices of this refreshing cake after a heavy meal, like a steak dinner or roast chicken.
In Parfaits: If you want to make individual servings, layer the mousse in glass jars or bowls and top with fresh fruit.
With Afternoon Tea: Pair this strawberry mousse cake with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat.
As a Birthday Cake: Customize it with birthday candles and a personalized message for a perfect birthday celebration dessert.

Storing Strawberry Mousse Cake

This cake is best when served fresh, but you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

For the Best Results: Store the mousse cake in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing any odors from the fridge.
Freezing: Although freezing is not recommended for this mousse cake due to its creamy texture, you can freeze the base and topping separately. Allow it to thaw in the fridge before assembling.

Nutrition

Per Slice (1/12 of the cake):

Calories: ~330
Protein: ~4g
Fat: ~22g
Carbohydrates: ~35g
Sugar: ~25g
Fiber: ~1g