This Strawberry Mousse Cake is a showstopper. The fluffy sponge cake layers are brushed with a strawberry liqueur syrup and laced with a creamy and luscious strawberry mousse frosting in between the cake layers. 
Every bite of this cake is like a mouthful of summer. It is so light, tender and fluffy and the strawberry flavor really shines through. I've been wanting to make this cake for a while, so I was thrilled to find some strawberries at a local farmer's marker. As soon as I saw them from the corner of my eye, I pounced on them and they were in my cart lickety split.
Strawberries and cream are a popular treat for a good reason - they taste awesome together. I've shared the recipe to this Strawberry Mousse on my blog before, and it work's perfectly as a frosting to a simple but delightfully ideal sponge cake. This multilevel cake is stunning but most importantly, tastes divine.
The Cake Layers:
Bake 4 layers of sponge cake. I've posted the recipe for the sponge cake before, so check out the recipe. You will need to make 2 portions of the recipe, so you'll end up with 4 cake layers in total.
Cool the cakes completely. If your cake levels aren't perfectly straight, use a serrated knife to even them out a bit. Even when mine are even, I still cut a thin layer off the top and use it to make crumbs to use on the side of the cake.
The Strawberry Syrup:
Combine the water, sugar and strawberry liquer in a small saucepan.
Heat it on on medium heat just until the sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool.
The Strawberry Mousse:
Sprinkle the gelatin over the water and set aside to bloom for about 5-10 minutes. 
Hull the strawberries and cut them in half or thirds. Pulse them in the food processor along with the sugar. The amount of sugar will depend on how sweet the berries are and how sweet you prefer the cake to be.
Heat the bloomed gelatin in the microwave for about 20 seconds or in a small saucepan on the stove, just until melted. Do NOT boil.
Why Use Gelatin In the Mousse?
Gelatin is a thickening agent. For this recipe, if you would just use whipped cream and strawberries, the frosting would be very watery and thin. The gelatin thickens the frosting and gives it a "mousse" like texture. It will also help the frosting stay fluffy and thick without deflating over time.
In a chilled bowl, whisk the heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
Add the pureed strawberries and the melted gelatin.
Gently fold it all together with a rubber spatula until evenly combined.
Set the mousse aside in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes or so until the mousse starts to thicken.
Assembling the cake:
Line your cake platter with aluminum foil all around. This is a trick I use to keep the sides of the cake plate clean. Place a dollop of the strawberry mousse in the center of the plate.
Brush each cake layer with the strawberry syrup.
Top each cake layer with the strawberry mousse.
Frost the top of the cake and the sides of the cake.
Decorate the cake with more strawberries and coat the sides of the cake with the reserved cake crumbs. Gently remove the aluminum foil from underneath the cake.
Keep the cake refrigerated.
Strawberry Mousse Cake
This Strawberry Mousse Cake is a showstopper. The fluffy sponge cake layers are brushed with a strawberry liqueur syrup and laced with a creamy and luscious strawberry mousse frosting in between the cake layers.
- Prep Time: 90 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cake 1x
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
- 4 sponge cake layers
Strawberry Syrup:
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ cup strawberry liqueur
Strawberry Souffle:
- ¼ cup water
- 1 ½ Tablespoons gelatin
- 2 pints strawberries (plus more to garnish the cake)
- ¼ - ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream (chilled)
- 5 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
The Cake:
- Bake 4 layers of sponge cake. Cool the cakes and cut each cake layer in half horizontally.
- Cool the cakes completely. If your cake levels aren't perfectly straight, use a serrated knife to even them out a bit. Even when mine are even, I still cut a thin layer off the top and use it to make crumbs to use on the side of the cake.
The Strawberry Syrup:
- Combine the water, sugar and strawberry liqueur in a small saucepan.
- Heat it on on medium heat just until the sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool.
The Strawberry Mousse:
- Sprinkle the gelatin over the water and set aside to bloom for about 5-10 minutes.
- Hull the strawberries and cut them in half or thirds.
- Pulse them in the food processor along with the sugar. The amount of sugar will depend on how sweet the berries are and how sweet you prefer the cake to be.
- Heat the bloomed gelatin in the microwave for about 20 seconds or in a small saucepan on the stovetop, just until melted. Do NOT boil.
- In a chilled bowl, whisk the heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Add the pureed strawberries and the melted gelatin. Gently fold it all together with a rubber spatula until evenly combined.
- Set the mousse aside in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes or so until the mousse starts to thicken.
Assembling the Cake:
- Line your cake platter with aluminum foil all around. Brush each cake layer with the strawberry syrup.
- Top each cake layer with the strawberry mousse. Frost the top of the cake and the sides of the cake.
- Decorate the cake with more strawberries and coat the sides of the cake with the reserved cake crumbs. Gently remove the aluminum foil from underneath the cake.
- Store the cake in the refrigerator.
This is an updated version of the Strawberry Mousse Cake recipe that was published originally on September 13, 2013. The recipe is the same with updated pictures.
Hi Olga, I am planning on making this cake today. I’m kind of confused on the sponge cake layers. Do I make one batch which will be two layers and cut in between which would make it 4 or do I need to make double recipe which will be 4 solid rounds not cut in half? The picture shows 2 cakes cut in half which would be one batch?
Hi Sarah. You need to make the sponge cake layer recipe twice. You will have 4 cake layers total. The picture actually shows the top 1/4 of an inch cut off, not cut in half. The sponge cake layers aren't too tall. You don't even need to cut them at all. I only did it so I could use the crumbs for the sides of the cake.
Would this cake work if I use bluberries? I'm trying to decide on a cake for son's first birthday and would like it to be blue.
I have never used blueberries, so I can't guarantee it, but I imagine it should work too.
Looks absolutely stunning! Like a strawberry pillow 😍
Can this cake, if made 12 inch, hold up an 8 inch cake on top?
I don't know, Olga. I've never tried it.
Made this weekend, very delicious light cake, thank you Olga 🍓💜☺️
That's wonderful, Julie. Thank you for letting me know.
Hi Olga,
Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
Thanks,
Inna
I've never made them with frozen strawberries, so I can't guarantee that it will work. The strawberries will be watery when you thaw them, so I would probably drain them and possibly add a bit more gelatin. Let me know how it works out, Lena:).
Hi, Olya! I made this cake and really liked it. Next, time I'm going to use syrup cause to me the cake for not moist enough. But it was veeeery delicious. Thank you thank you. God bless!
I agree, Veta. The syrup really makes the cake so moist and tender. Plus, since I used the strawberry liqueur in the syrup, it complement the strawberry mousse very well too:).
Could you please explain why are you using gelatin here ? As far as I know gelatin is used in ice creams so to prevent formation of ice crystals. Does it serve the same purpose here?
Gelatin is a thickening agent. Adding gelatin gives the frosting a mousse-like texture.
This cake is truly so delicious. I made it for my son's birthday, and everyone loved it! On the other hand, it is time consuming and comes out pretty expensive (ingredients-wise) (my opinion).
I'm glad you liked it, Tatyana.
Caked are time consuming. That's why I usually only make them for special occasions:).
This cake is so delicious:) I had the honor to taste Olga's cake and its so moist and fulfilling. The amount of sweet and subtle tanginess of the strawberries is perfect:) velvety smooth with every bite. A must try for sure!
Thanks for sure an exuberant shout-out, Valentin! I thrilled that you enjoyed the cake.
Wow, that looks fantastic! Olga you are so creative :).
Thanks, Natasha! I really appreciate the kind words:).
Hi Olga, great recipe! Looks wonderful and yummy, as do all your cakes :)Can someone please explain to me where I can get some strawberry liqueur, though? And also, the Godiva chocolate liqueur. I cant seem to find it anywhere. Do you know what stores might sell it? Safeway, Albertsons, Fred Meyer, Haggen, Trader Joes? Anyone have any ideas...? Thank you in advance!
Nadia,
I buy all of my liqueurs at a liquor store. They will have many, many varieties.
I have made this version of cake for my daughter's bday, and it was super delicious! This was waaay before this post. I used your recipe for the strawberry mousse and your sponge cake recipe. I didn't use a syrup and it still was super moist and yummy! I was hoping for leftovers, but no such luck. That's a good sign, I guess 🙂 Olga, thanks for all your wonderful recipes. I have never been disappointed!!
You're welcome, Oksana! I'm so glad you enjoy the recipes.
Beautiful creation and sounds simple 🙂 what can be used instead of liquor? Just milk you think will be fine?
If you're not going to use the liqueur, just omit the syrup completely. It gives the cake so much more flavor! The cake should be moist enough without I. I add it for flavor only.
Oh my goodness this looks divine. Strawberries and cake, you just can't go wrong! 😉