There’s something undeniably joyful about sinking your fork into a crisp pastry shell filled with silky, fruit-kissed mousse, and these Strawberry Mousse Tartlets deliver just that special magic. This charming dessert combines a buttery tartlet shell with cloud-like strawberry mousse, topped with a flourish of whipped cream and fresh berries. They’re as beautiful as they are delicious—think delicate French bakery treats, but totally doable in your own kitchen. Perfect for spring celebrations or whenever you want to impress with something fresh and light, Strawberry Mousse Tartlets promise a burst of sweet-tart flavor and a whole lot of smiles at the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for Strawberry Mousse Tartlets are simple yet thoughtfully chosen—each one plays a crucial role in taste, texture, and that vibrant color everyone falls for. There’s nothing complicated here, just straightforward ingredients coming together to create something absolutely irresistible.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the backbone for our crisp, tender tartlet shells; try to measure accurately for best results.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the pastry dough and helps create a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Salt: Just a pinch brings out the flavors in both shell and filling—never skip it!
- Unsalted butter (cold and cubed): The secret to flaky, rich tartlet shells; chill for best results.
- Egg yolk: Adds richness to the dough and helps bind everything together perfectly.
- Cold water: Helps bring the pastry together without making it tough; add just enough to form a dough.
- Fresh strawberries (hulled and chopped): The heart of the mousse—choose the ripest berries you can find for the brightest strawberry flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the strawberry mousse just enough to balance its natural tartness.
- Lemon juice: A dash sharpens the strawberry flavor and keeps things fresh-tasting.
- Unflavored gelatin: This sets the mousse so it’s dreamy but sturdy—perfectly sliceable!
- Water: Used to bloom the gelatin, making sure it dissolves smoothly.
- Heavy cream (cold): Whips up to fluffy peaks and folds into the mousse for that light-as-air texture.
- Whipped cream, fresh strawberries, mint leaves (for garnish): Optional, but a swoosh of cream, a berry or two, and a mint sprig make these tartlets absolutely stunning.
How to Make Strawberry Mousse Tartlets
Step 1: Make and Chill the Tartlet Dough
Start by whisking together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs—this is where the magic of a flaky crust begins. Add in the egg yolk and just enough cold water to help the dough come together; don’t overwork it. Shape the dough into a flat disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it chill for about 20 minutes. This step ensures a shell that’s easy to roll and won’t shrink in the oven.
Step 2: Roll, Shape, and Bake the Tartlet Shells
Once the dough is perfectly chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about an eighth-inch thickness. Carefully press the dough into mini tart pans—aim for eight tartlets. Prick the bottoms with a fork to stop them from puffing up unevenly, then bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes, or until they’re just turning golden. Let the shells cool completely before adding your mousse. They’re delicate, so handle with care, and marvel at those crisp, buttery edges!
Step 3: Cook and Puree the Strawberries
While your shells are cooling, combine the hulled, chopped strawberries with granulated sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, or until the berries have softened and their juices have thickened slightly. Puree the mixture in a blender until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to get rid of any seeds—a little extra effort for a velvety mousse is so worth it! Allow the puree to cool slightly.
Step 4: Bloom and Dissolve the Gelatin
To give your mousse that perfect, sliceable texture, sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over two tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Let it sit (or “bloom”) for about five minutes—this ensures it dissolves gently without lumps. Warm the bloomed gelatin in the microwave or on the stovetop just until melted, then whisk it into the warm strawberry puree. Let everything cool to room temperature before moving on.
Step 5: Whip and Fold
Next, whip the cold heavy cream until it forms firm peaks—using cold cream and a chilled bowl makes this even easier. Now, gently fold the cooled strawberry mixture into the whipped cream, being careful to keep the mousse light and airy. You’ll see the color turn irresistibly pink and luscious. Go slow to avoid deflating the cream!
Step 6: Fill and Chill the Tartlets
Spoon or pipe the strawberry mousse into your cooled tartlet shells, filling each one generously. Smooth the tops or create a swirl, then let the tartlets chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours, or until the mousse is set. This last step guarantees that each bite will hold its beautiful shape and texture.
How to Serve Strawberry Mousse Tartlets
Garnishes
Garnishing is where these Strawberry Mousse Tartlets truly become showstoppers. A flourish of whipped cream piped or dolloped on top creates a dreamy finish, while sliced fresh strawberries bring both charm and a hint of extra tang. If you have mint leaves, don’t hesitate to tuck one alongside—a touch of green is the perfect contrast to all that glorious pink. Your tartlets will look like they came straight from a Parisian pâtisserie!
Side Dishes
For a truly special dessert experience, pair your Strawberry Mousse Tartlets with delicate shortbread cookies or mini meringues. They offer a contrasting crunch to the mousse’s creamy texture. Alternatively, a side of lightly sweetened iced tea or cold brew coffee is wonderful for balancing the tartlets’ richness, especially for a spring brunch or afternoon treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Have fun and get creative when serving your Strawberry Mousse Tartlets! Arrange them on a vintage cake stand for a tea party, or plate individually with a drizzle of strawberry coulis and a sprinkle of edible petals. For an extra special touch, serve each tartlet on a contrasting colored plate—think pale green or classic white—to really make their rosy hues pop. There’s no wrong way to let these beauties shine!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftover Strawberry Mousse Tartlets, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. The mousse stays wonderfully fluffy, and the crust remains pleasantly crisp. For best results, add the whipped cream and fresh strawberry garnishes just before serving, so everything stays perfectly fresh and vibrant.
Freezing
While the tartlet shells can be baked and frozen for up to a month, the strawberry mousse itself is best enjoyed fresh. Freezing the assembled tartlets could impact the creamy texture of the mousse. If you do want to work ahead, freeze the empty shells, then fill and chill with the mousse on the day you plan to serve.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat Strawberry Mousse Tartlets—just let them come to refrigerator temperature before serving, and they’ll be as luscious as when first made. If your shells have been frozen, let them thaw at room temperature, then fill with mousse for best taste and texture.
FAQs
Can I make Strawberry Mousse Tartlets with frozen strawberries?
Absolutely! If fresh strawberries aren’t in season, feel free to use good-quality frozen ones. Thaw and drain them well before cooking with sugar and lemon juice to avoid excess water in your mousse.
How far in advance can I assemble the tartlets?
Strawberry Mousse Tartlets can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead. Simply store them, covered, in the fridge, and add your whipped cream and garnishes just before serving for the freshest results.
Do I need tartlet pans for this recipe?
Mini tart pans give the classic shape, but you can also use a standard muffin tin lined with strips of parchment for easy removal. The recipe is forgiving, so get creative with what you have!
What’s the best way to get a smooth mousse?
Strain the cooked strawberry puree to remove seeds before folding it into the whipped cream. Use a gentle hand when folding, and make sure both the puree and whipped cream are cool for the silkiest mousse.
Can I make the tartlet shells gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking blend. You might need to adjust the water slightly, but you’ll still get crisp, delicious tart shells.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s as pretty as it is delicious, give these Strawberry Mousse Tartlets a try. They’re a joy to make and a delight to share, whether you’re serving a crowd or just treating yourself. It’s the kind of sweet moment you’ll want to repeat all season long!
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Strawberry Mousse Tartlets Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes (plus chilling)
- Yield: 8 tartlets 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delightful Strawberry Mousse Tartlets, perfect for a light and refreshing dessert. A buttery tartlet shell filled with a luscious strawberry mousse, topped with whipped cream and fresh berries.
Ingredients
Tartlet Shells:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
- 1 egg yolk
- 2–3 tablespoons cold water
Strawberry Mousse:
- 1½ cups fresh strawberries (hulled and chopped)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1½ teaspoons unflavored gelatin
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3/4 cup heavy cream (cold)
Garnish:
- whipped cream
- fresh strawberries
- mint leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Tartlet Shells: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Cut in butter, add egg yolk and water. Chill, roll out, and press into tart pans. Bake and cool.
- Make the Strawberry Mousse: Cook strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Puree, strain, dissolve gelatin, and combine. Whip cream and fold in strawberry mixture. Fill tart shells and chill.
- Garnish and Serve: Top tartlets with whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and mint leaves. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make the tartlet shells ahead to save time.
- Use frozen strawberries if fresh ones are not available.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking, No-Bake Filling
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tartlet
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
