Valentine’s Day Strawberry Mousse Parfaits

Introduction

Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate love with something sweet, light, and utterly romantic. Valentine’s Day Strawberry Mousse Parfaits fit the bill beautifully. These layered desserts combine fluffy strawberry mousse, fresh strawberry slices, and a touch of whipped cream or cookie crumbs for texture—all elegantly served in individual glasses.

What makes this dessert so appealing is not just the taste but also the presentation. The layers of pink mousse and vibrant strawberries create a stunning visual that looks like it belongs on a fine-dining table. They’re refreshing, not overly heavy, and provide the perfect sweet ending to a romantic dinner.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s both simple and impressive. It requires just a handful of ingredients, yet the result feels like a luxurious, restaurant-worthy dessert. The mousse is silky smooth, airy, and bursting with strawberry flavor. Pair that with the freshness of real strawberries and the sweetness of whipped cream, and it’s a winning combination.

I also love that this dessert is make-ahead friendly. You can prepare the mousse in advance, layer it in glasses, and simply chill until ready to serve. That leaves more time to enjoy a romantic evening without stress. Most of all, it’s the kind of dessert that makes hearts flutter—both in taste and presentation.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Romantic & Beautiful: Perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or romantic dinners.
• Light yet Indulgent: Creamy mousse with fruity freshness.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Save time and reduce stress on special occasions.
• Customizable: Add chocolate, cookies, or even champagne for variations.

Preparation & Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 25 minutes
• Chilling Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: ~2 hours 25 minutes

Servings & Nutritional Info

• Servings: 4 parfaits
• Calories (per serving): ~280 kcal

Cuisine & Course

• Cuisine: French-inspired / Western
• Course: Dessert

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Mousse:

• 2 cups fresh strawberries (hulled & chopped)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream (cold)
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp gelatin powder (optional, for stability)
• 2 tbsp water (if using gelatin)

For Assembly:

• Fresh strawberry slices (for layering & garnish)
• Whipped cream (for topping)
• Crushed cookies or ladyfingers (optional, for crunch)
• Heart-shaped sprinkles or shaved chocolate (optional garnish)

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Cook strawberries with sugar and lemon juice, then blend into puree.
2. Whip cream with sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
3. Fold strawberry puree into whipped cream (stabilize with gelatin if desired).
4. Layer mousse, strawberries, and cookies in glasses.
5. Chill and serve cold with whipped cream topping.

Step-by-Step Recipe Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare Strawberry Puree

1. In a saucepan, combine strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice.
2. Cook for 5–7 minutes until strawberries soften and release juices.
3. Blend into a smooth puree and let cool completely.

Step 2: Whip the Cream

1. In a chilled mixing bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
2. If using gelatin: Bloom gelatin in water for 5 minutes, then gently warm until dissolved. Stir into strawberry puree before folding into whipped cream.

Step 3: Make the Strawberry Mousse

1. Gently fold cooled strawberry puree into whipped cream until combined.
2. Be careful not to deflate the cream—fold lightly for a fluffy texture.

Step 4: Assemble the Parfaits

1. In serving glasses, layer crushed cookies (optional) at the bottom.
2. Add a layer of strawberry mousse.
3. Place fresh strawberry slices along the sides of the glass for visual appeal.
4. Repeat layers until glasses are filled.
5. Top with a swirl of whipped cream, sprinkles, or shaved chocolate.

Step 5: Chill & Serve

1. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.
2. Serve chilled with a romantic garnish like heart sprinkles or chocolate curls.

How to Serve

• Serve in clear glass cups or wine glasses for a romantic presentation.
• Garnish with heart-shaped sprinkles or a chocolate-dipped strawberry.
• Pair with champagne, rosé wine, or sparkling water with lemon.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Chill your mixing bowl and beaters for best whipping results.
• Taste the strawberry puree—add more sugar if your berries aren’t sweet enough.
• For a lighter mousse, fold in whipped egg whites (if comfortable using raw eggs).
• Decorate just before serving to keep garnishes fresh.

Variations

• Chocolate Strawberry Mousse Parfaits: Add melted chocolate or cocoa powder to half the mousse for layered flavors.
• Cheesecake Style: Add a cream cheese layer between mousse layers.
• Champagne Mousse: Add 2 tbsp champagne to the strawberry puree for an adult twist.
• Berry Mix: Combine strawberries with raspberries or blueberries.

Freezing & Storage

• Refrigerator: Store parfaits in the fridge for up to 2 days, covered.
• Freezer: Not ideal for freezing once assembled (cream may separate), but mousse alone can be frozen up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in fridge before layering.

Special Equipment Needed

• Electric mixer or stand mixer (for whipping cream)
• Blender or food processor (for strawberry puree)
• Clear glass cups or parfait glasses
• Saucepan
• Spatula for folding

Conclusion

Valentine’s Day Strawberry Mousse Parfaits are a dessert that embodies romance, beauty, and indulgence. With their fluffy mousse, sweet strawberries, and elegant presentation, they’re the perfect way to celebrate love. Easy to prepare yet stunning to serve, they create a magical ending to any Valentine’s meal.

This dessert isn’t just about taste—it’s about creating a memory, one spoonful at a time

Print Recipe

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Valentine’s Day Strawberry Mousse Parfaits

Author: Anna Williams Courses: Desserts

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 25 mins Cook Time 2 hrs Total Time 2 hrs 25 mins

Servings: 4 Calories: 280 kcal

Description

Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate love with something sweet, light, and utterly romantic. Valentine’s Day Strawberry Mousse Parfaits fit the bill beautifully

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Strawberry Mousse:

• 2 cups fresh strawberries (hulled & chopped)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream (cold)
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp gelatin powder (optional, for stability)
• 2 tbsp water (if using gelatin)

For Assembly:

• Fresh strawberry slices (for layering & garnish)
• Whipped cream (for topping)
• Crushed cookies or ladyfingers (optional, for crunch)
• Heart-shaped sprinkles or shaved chocolate (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare Strawberry Puree : In a saucepan, combine strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Cook for 5–7 minutes until strawberries soften and release juices. Blend into a smooth puree and let cool completely.
2. Step 2: Whip the Cream : In a chilled mixing bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form. If using gelatin: Bloom gelatin in water for 5 minutes, then gently warm until dissolved. Stir into strawberry puree before folding into whipped cream.
3. Step 3: Make the Strawberry Mousse : Gently fold cooled strawberry puree into whipped cream until combined. Be careful not to deflate the cream—fold lightly for a fluffy texture.
4. Step 4: Assemble the Parfaits : In serving glasses, layer crushed cookies (optional) at the bottom. Add a layer of strawberry mousse. Place fresh strawberry slices along the sides of the glass for visual appeal. Repeat layers until glasses are filled. Top with a swirl of whipped cream, sprinkles, or shaved chocolate.
5. Step 5: Chill & Serve : Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set. Serve chilled with a romantic garnish like heart sprinkles or chocolate curls.

Keywords: Valentine’s Day Strawberry Mousse Parfaits