Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake Recipe

If you love the dreamy combination of lush strawberries and decadent chocolate, then you’re in for a genuine treat! This Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake is truly the ultimate showstopper for special occasions or any time you crave a slice of pure bliss. With its rich chocolate base, airy mousse layers, and vibrant strawberry finish, every bite is an irresistible interplay of flavor and texture. Whether you’re surprising guests or pampering yourself, this cake’s delightful layers are guaranteed to win hearts (and palates) with every forkful.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

While the list may look luxurious, each ingredient in the Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake has a starring role—from creating a moist, deep chocolate foundation to achieving those cloud-like mousse layers. These pantry staples and market-fresh produce work together for that perfect balance of sweetness, silkiness, and berry-bright color.

• All-purpose flour: This forms the cake’s structure and keeps it light yet sturdy enough for those mousse layers.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: Use a good-quality cocoa for a rich, chocolaty depth in the cake base.
• Baking powder and baking soda: Together, these leaven the cake so it bakes up fluffy and tender.
• Salt: A small but mighty ingredient that enhances all the cake’s flavors.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens both cake and strawberry mousse, binding everything together with just the right amount of sweetness.
• Vegetable oil: Gives the cake that moist, soft texture that practically melts in your mouth.
• Large eggs: Essential for richness and structure in the cake.
• Pure vanilla extract: Adds that unmistakable bakery warmth and aroma.
• Buttermilk: Brings acidity to keep the cake extra tender and subtly tangy.
• Semisweet chocolate (chopped): For the mousse, choose high-quality chocolate for maximum melt and flavor.
• Heavy cream: The secret to that dreamy, airy mousse texture in both chocolate and strawberry layers.
• Powdered sugar: A little goes a long way to lightly sweeten the chocolate mousse and help it stay silky.
• Fresh strawberries (puréed): The star of the fruity mousse, bringing freshness and beautiful color.
• Lemon juice: Brightens the strawberry flavor and keeps the color gorgeously vibrant.
• Unflavored gelatin: Helps the strawberry mousse set to that perfect, sliceable consistency.
• Cold water: Used to bloom the gelatin so it dissolves evenly into the strawberry mixture.
• Fresh strawberries and chocolate shavings (for garnish): The prettiest finish, making every slice look like it came straight from a Paris patisserie.

How to Make Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Cake Base

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment to ensure a flawless release. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar, ensuring there are no lumps. Next, add in the vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and buttermilk. Mix gently just until everything’s smooth—overbeating can toughen the cake. Pour the batter into the pan, smoothing the top, then bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Once a toothpick comes out clean, let the cake cool completely in the pan; this sturdy layer will support the fabulous mousses to come!

Step 2: Whip Up the Chocolate Mousse Layer

For that silky chocolate mousse, melt the chopped semisweet chocolate with ½ cup of the cream (a microwave or double boiler both work) until smooth. Let this mixture cool slightly—you don’t want it to melt the whipped cream later. Meanwhile, whip the remaining 1½ cups of heavy cream with powdered sugar until just soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled chocolate mixture in batches to keep things wonderfully light. Once combined, spread this mousse gloriously over the cooled cake base, covering right to the edges. Pop it into the fridge for around 30 minutes to firm up before the next layer.

Step 3: Create the Strawberry Mousse Layer

Place the fresh strawberries in a blender with lemon juice and sugar, then puree until silky smooth. For the strawberry mousse to hold its shape, sprinkle unflavored gelatin over cold water in a small bowl and let it bloom for about 5 minutes. Warm gently (microwave or stovetop) until just dissolved, then stir into the strawberry puree to combine. Whip the heavy cream to soft peaks (the secret to that dreamy creaminess), then fold it gently into the strawberry-gelatin mixture. Carefully spread this pastel-pink strawberry mousse on top of the chilled chocolate mousse layer. Now, refrigerate your Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake for at least 4 hours or—ideally—overnight, so everything becomes decadently sliceable.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Just before serving, crown your Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake with fresh strawberries and a shower of chocolate shavings. This finishing touch not only looks irresistibly beautiful but also adds extra bursts of fruity freshness and rich cocoa with every bite. Now, you’re ready to impress!

How to Serve Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake

Garnishes

Garnishing is where your cake truly shines! I love piling on vibrant, halved strawberries right in the center and scattering chocolate shavings around the edges for a touch of fancy. For even more contrast, a sprinkle of powdered sugar over the berries adds a picturesque, frosty finish that looks straight out of a bakery window.

Side Dishes

While this cake is a star on its own, you can round out dessert by serving it with lightly sweetened whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. If you prefer something light, a bowl of fresh mixed berries on the side is a refreshing, palate-cleansing companion to each sumptuous bite.

Creative Ways to Present

Serving Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake at a special gathering? Try slicing it into delicate wedges and plating each with a drizzle of strawberry coulis or dark chocolate sauce. For individual desserts, you can even build mini versions in glasses or jars for effortless elegance and easy entertaining. Add mint leaves or edible flowers for an extra flourish!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake keeps beautifully if you store it properly! Cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or place slices in an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days, layers soft and flavors mingling even more as they rest.

Freezing

Need to stash some for later? This cake actually freezes well! Wrap individual slices snugly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge; the mousse layers retain their lovely texture, making it a wonderful make-ahead treat for sudden cravings or surprise guests.

Reheating

Since Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake is meant to be enjoyed chilled, there’s no need to reheat. Simply let slices rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving for optimal creaminess and flavor. If serving from the freezer, give ample time in the refrigerator to thaw gently before digging in.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries for the mousse layer?

Absolutely! Thaw the berries completely, then drain any excess liquid before puréeing. Using frozen strawberries won’t compromise the flavor or color of your mousse—just be sure to taste and adjust the sweetness if needed since frozen berries can vary.

How far in advance can I make the Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake?

You can easily make this cake a day ahead. In fact, giving the mousse at least 4 hours—preferably overnight—in the fridge not only helps set the layers but also allows the flavors to mingle and intensify, yielding an even more delicious dessert.

Can I substitute the gelatin with something vegetarian?

Yes, you can try using agar-agar powder in place of gelatin to set the strawberry mousse. Since agar sets more firmly, start with a smaller amount and follow the package directions to ensure the mousse holds together without becoming too stiff.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

No worries! You can make a quick buttermilk substitute: mix ½ cup of milk with 1 ½ teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar, let it sit for 5 minutes, then use as directed. This will give your chocolate cake the same plush and tangy moistness.

Can I decorate the cake with other toppings?

Definitely! Apart from fresh strawberries and chocolate shavings, try topping the cake with raspberries, toasted nuts for a little crunch, or delicate curls of white chocolate for a sophisticated twist. Customizing the garnish is a fun way to make the Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake uniquely yours!

Final Thoughts

There’s truly nothing quite like a homemade Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake to bring joy to your table. Every layer is a celebration of chocolatey richness and real strawberry brightness, creating a dessert that feels as good as it tastes. Gather your loved ones, slice into those beautiful layers, and enjoy every bite—you deserve it!