These easy Strawberry Mousse Parfaits are the perfect dessert when you want something sweet and refreshing but not super heavy. They're made with fresh, juicy strawberries and have a smooth, creamy texture that's light and fluffy.
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Top off these parfaits with some extra strawberries and a little whipped cream, and you've got an awesome no-bake treat that's perfect for any time!
Ingredients
Just a few simple ingredients to are needed make these Strawberry Mousse Parfaits:
- Strawberries - use the freshest, reddest fruit you can find. The strawberries are used both in the mousse and to top off the parfaits.
- Powdered gelatin and cold water - be sure to use cold water so the gelatin sets correctly
- Granulated sugar
- Heavy cream
- Lemon juice
- Optional topping ingredients - powdered sugar and heavy cream
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
This recipe for Strawberry Mousse Parfaits takes a few hours to finish because the mousse needs time to set, but each step takes only a few minutes. Follow the directions below, and you'll have a sweet, refreshing dessert ready to enjoy.
Prepare strawberry puree
1 - Sprinkle gelatin over cold water. Set aside and allow to gel.
2 - Remove stems and slice strawberries into ¼" slices. Place strawberries, granulated sugar and lemon juice in a food processor. Blend until smooth.
3 - Place strawberry mixture in a heavy duty saucepan. Heat mixture over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring often (note: do not bring to a boil). Continue to heat until it begins to thicken (approximately 8 minutes).
4 - Remove pan from heat and add the set gelatin. Stir until gelatin dissolves completely. Optional: pour the strawberry mixture through a mesh strainer place over a large bowl to remove any large pieces
Assemble parfaits
5 - Place a tablespoon of strawberry puree into the bottom of each parfait glass (use four 8-ounce dishes or six 6-ounce dishes). Place glasses in refrigerator. Set remaining puree aside to cool to room temperature - approximately 20 minutes (note - do not place in refrigerator as the mixture will begin to set up too quickly).
6 - Place heavy cream in a mixing bowl. Using the whisk attachment on a hand- or stand mixture, begin whipping cream on medium speed. Continue whipping until medium peaks are reached. Medium whipping peaks hold their shape with tips that curl slightly when the beaters are lifted.
7 - Add a few tablespoons of whipped cream to the cooled strawberry mixture and stir.
8 - Add remaining whipped cream to strawberry mixture and fold gently until no white streaks remain. Do not overfold else you will deflate the mousse.
9 - Remove parfait glasses from the refrigerator and divide the mousse evenly among them, either by spooning it in or piping with a pastry bag.
10 - Jiggle each parfait glass to create a smooth layer of mousse. Place parfaits in refrigerator for 2 hours or until mousse is set.
11 - Dice strawberries into ¼" cubes and place in a bowl. Sprinkle granulated sugar over strawberries. Cover bowl and set aside for 1 hour to allow strawberries to soften and release juices.
12 - Remove parfaits from refrigerator. Place a few tablespoons of the strawberries on top of the mousse, reserving a few to add over cream topping. Whip heavy cream and powdered sugar to medium peaks. Transfer cream to a pastry bag and pipe swirls of cream over each parfait. Alternatively, scoop dollops of cream into each parfait glass. Add strawberries and drizzle juice over top of cream.
Serving strawberry mousse parfaits
For the freshest taste, these parfaits are best served the day they're made.
Equipment
Gather the following equipment before starting this recipe:
- Hand or stand mixer
- Bowls, measuring cups and spoons
- Heavy Duty Saucepan
- Spatula
- Pastry bags and piping tip (optional)
- 4 Eight ounces parfait dishes or 6 six ounce parfait dishes
Storage
Keep your strawberry mousse parfaits stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve them; they will stay fresh for up to two days.
FAQ
The word parfait comes from French, and it literally means "perfect." When the idea came to the U.S., parfaits evolved into layered desserts, usually made with things like whipped cream, yogurt, fruit, and sometimes granola or cake. But the name stuck because it still sounded fancy and delicious — and honestly, perfect fits pretty well!
More dessert recipes with strawberries
Love anything strawberry and looking for more dessert recipes? Try these:
I hope you enjoy these easy strawberry mousse parfaits as much as my family and friends have over the years!
📋 Recipe
Strawberry Mousse Parfaits
Equipment
- Hand or stand mixer
- Bowls, measuring cups and spoons
- Heavy Duty Saucepan
- Spatulas
- Pastry bags and piping tip optional
- 4 Eight ounces parfait dishes or 6 six ounce parfait dishes
Ingredients
Strawberry parfaits
- 12 Ounces Strawberries washed and stems removed
- ½ teaspoon Powdered gelatin
- 2 teaspoons Water cold
- 3 Tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1¼ Cup Heavy cream
Optional - topping
- ½ Cup Heavy cream
- 2 Tablespoons Powdered sugar
- 4 Ounces Strawberries diced into ¼ pieces
- 2 Tablespoons Granulated sugar
Instructions
Set gelatin
- Sprinkle gelatin over cold water. Set aside and allow to gel.
Prepare strawberries
- Remove stems and slice strawberries into ¼" slices.
- Place strawberries, granulated sugar and lemon juice in a food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Place strawberry mixture in a heavy duty saucepan.
- Heat the strawberry mixture over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring often (note: do not bring to a boil). Continue to heat until it begins to thicken (approximately 8 minutes).
- Remove pan from heat and add the set gelatin. Stir until gelatin dissolves completely.
- Optional: pour through a mesh strainer place over a large bowl to remove any large pieces
- Place a tablespoon of strawberry puree into the bottom of each parfait glass. Place in refrigerator.
- Set remaining puree aside to cool to room temperature - approximately 20 minutes (note - do not place in refrigerator as the mixture will begin to set up too quickly).
Add cream
- Place heavy cream in a mixing bowl. Using the whisk attachment on a hand- or stand mixture, begin whipping cream on medium speed. Continue whipping until medium peaks are reached. Medium whipping peaks hold their shape with tips that curl slightly when the beaters are lifted.
- Add a few tablespoons of whipped cream to the cooled strawberry mixture and stir.
- Add remaining whipped cream to strawberry mixture and fold gently until no white streaks remain. Do not overfold else you will deflate the mousse.
Assemble strawberry mousse parfaits
- Remove parfait glasses from the refrigerator and divide the mousse evenly among them, either by spooning it in or piping with a pastry bag.
- Jiggle each parfait glass to create a smooth layer of mousse.
- Place parfaits in refrigerator for 2 hours or until mousse is set.
Optional - topping
- Dice strawberries into ¼" cubes and place in a bowl. Sprinkle granulated sugar over strawberries.
- Cover bowl and set aside for 1 hour to allow strawberries to soften and release juices.
- Remove strawberry mousse parfaits from refrigerator. Divide strawberries evenly between each glass, reserving a few to add over cream topping.
- Whip heavy cream and powdered to medium peaks. Transfer cream to a pastry bag and pipe swirls of cream over each parfait. Alternatively, scoop dollops of cream into each parfait glass.
- Add strawberries and drizzle juice over top of cream.
Video
Notes
- Keep strawberry mousse parfaits in refrigerator until ready to serve (up to two days). For the freshest taste, these parfaits are best served the day they're made.
Jenny says
Probably the most elegant dessert I've made, tasted great also.
dessertswithstephanie says
Hi Jenny, so pleased you enjoyed these! Thank you for the feedback.