Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Mousse is a dreamy dessert that blends the richness of chocolate with the fresh, fruity sweetness of strawberries. I love how it captures the feeling of a chocolate-dipped strawberry, but in a creamy, spoonable mousse form. Whether I serve it in elegant glasses or layer it into a cake, it always feels like something special.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I adore this recipe because it’s both light and decadent at the same time. The contrast between the airy strawberry mousse and the silky chocolate layer is irresistible. It’s a no-bake treat, which means I can whip it up without turning on the oven, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser for holidays, date nights, or dinner parties.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Fresh strawberries (or frozen, thawed)
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Granulated sugar
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Heavy whipping cream
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Gelatin (unflavored)
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Water (for blooming the gelatin)
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Dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
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Butter
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Vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
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Optional toppings: shaved chocolate, strawberry slices, whipped cream
directions
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I start by pureeing the strawberries and straining them to remove seeds for a smooth texture.
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In a saucepan, I warm the puree with sugar until dissolved, then bloom gelatin in water and stir it into the warm mixture.
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I let the strawberry mixture cool slightly, then fold it into whipped cream to create the mousse base.
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For the chocolate layer, I melt chocolate chips with butter and a pinch of salt until smooth.
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I layer the strawberry mousse and chocolate in serving glasses—sometimes I go for a bottom chocolate layer, other times I drizzle it on top.
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I chill the mousse for at least 2 hours until it’s set and airy.
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Before serving, I garnish with sliced strawberries, whipped cream, or shaved chocolate, depending on my mood.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 4 to 6 servings, depending on the glass size.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Chill time: 2 hours
Total time: Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes
Variations
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When I want a sweeter version, I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate.
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I sometimes add a splash of strawberry liqueur to the puree for a grown-up twist.
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For Valentine’s Day, I shape the mousse in heart molds and coat them in a chocolate shell.
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If I need a dairy-free version, I swap the cream for chilled coconut cream and use dairy-free chocolate.
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I love layering crushed cookies (like Oreos or graham crackers) at the bottom for a mousse parfait.
storage/reheating
I store the mousse in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for up to 3 days.
Since it’s a chilled dessert, I serve it straight from the fridge. I never freeze it because it tends to lose its light, fluffy texture when thawed.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, I use frozen strawberries when fresh ones aren’t in season. I just make sure to thaw and drain them before pureeing.
Can I skip the gelatin?
If I skip gelatin, the mousse won’t hold its shape as well, but it will still taste delicious—more like a strawberry cream.
What kind of chocolate works best?
I prefer semi-sweet or dark chocolate to balance the sweetness of the strawberry layer, but any good-quality chocolate works.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Definitely. I make it a day in advance and chill it overnight—it actually sets better with time.
How do I get clean layers?
I let each layer firm up slightly before adding the next, and I use a spoon to gently layer the chocolate over the mousse to avoid sinking.
Conclusion
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Mousse is a dessert that always makes an impression. It’s elegant, easy to make, and captures the timeless romance of strawberries and chocolate. Whether I’m serving it for a special celebration or treating myself after a long day, I always find this mousse the perfect balance of indulgent and refreshing.
Print
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Mousse
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Mousse is a no-bake, elegant dessert that blends the richness of melted chocolate with a light and airy strawberry mousse. It’s perfect for romantic occasions or any time you want an impressive and indulgent treat.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh or thawed frozen strawberries
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 tbsp unflavored gelatin
- 3 tbsp water (for blooming gelatin)
- 3/4 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: shaved chocolate, strawberry slices, whipped cream (for garnish)
Instructions
- Puree the strawberries and strain to remove seeds for a smooth texture.
- In a saucepan, combine the puree with sugar and heat gently until sugar dissolves.
- Bloom gelatin in water for 5 minutes, then stir into the warm strawberry mixture until dissolved completely.
- Let the strawberry mixture cool to room temperature.
- Whip the heavy cream to soft peaks and gently fold it into the cooled strawberry mixture to form the mousse.
- In a separate bowl, melt the chocolate chips with butter and a pinch of salt until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Layer the strawberry mousse and melted chocolate in serving glasses as desired.
- Chill the dessert for at least 2 hours until fully set.
- Garnish with optional toppings like strawberry slices, whipped cream, or shaved chocolate before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute milk chocolate for a sweeter taste.
- Add a splash of strawberry liqueur for an adult twist.
- Use coconut cream and dairy-free chocolate for a dairy-free version.
- Layer crushed cookies at the bottom for a mousse parfait.
- Let each layer firm slightly before adding the next to achieve clean layers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
