Roasted Strawberry Mousse Cake

Celebrate strawberry season with a roasted strawberry mousse cake. With layers of sponge cake sandwiched with creamy roasted strawberry mousse and topped with fresh berries, this cake will wow all of your guests.

Watch how to make this

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour is the base ingredient for the sponge cake, providing structure and volume to the cake layers.
• Lemon zest: Adds a bright, citrusy flavor to the cake batter, enhancing its overall taste and aroma. Orange zest can be used as a substitute for lemon zest, offering a similar citrus flavor profile.
• Buttermilk: Contributes to the tenderness and moistness of the sponge cake while also adding a subtle tanginess to the flavor.
• Strawberries: Strawberries are the star ingredient in this recipe, providing natural sweetness, vibrant color, and fruity flavor to the roasted strawberry mousse and cake layers.
• Honey: Adds sweetness to the roasted strawberries, enhancing their natural flavor without overpowering it with sugar. Maple syrup or agave nectar can be used as substitutes for honey if preferred. Adjust the quantity to taste.
• Powdered gelatin: Acts as a setting agent for the strawberry mousse, helping it firm up and hold its shape when chilled.
• Heavy cream: Heavy cream is whipped to stiff peaks and folded into the strawberry mousse, adding richness, creaminess, and stability to the dessert.

Substitutions and variations

• Fruit: You can use other berries like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries as substitutes for strawberries, depending on your preference and availability.
• Dairy: You can substitute buttermilk with plain yogurt or sour cream thinned with a bit of milk. Alternatively, you can make a buttermilk substitute by combining milk with lemon juice or white vinegar and letting it sit for a few minutes until it curdles.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Make sponge cake

When I was trying to decide what kind of cake to make, I knew I wanted to make an epic strawberry version. With a decadent mousse filling and plenty of fresh berries, I needed a cake that could hold the weight. It only seemed fitting to make a Victoria sponge cake for this recipe.

Victoria sponge cake is essentially a vanilla cake that is sandwiched with jam and buttercream. Traditionally, people used an equal amount of sugar, flour, and butter to make the batter. I stuck with that method but added a few extra ingredients to add extra flavor and moisture.

Cream together the softened butter with sugar until fluffy in the bowl of your stand mixer. Spend time to properly cream the ingredients and you'll end up with a light cake.

Add room-temperature eggs one at a time, fully incorporating them before adding another. If you forgot to leave your eggs out before starting the cake, let them sit in warm water for 10 minutes.

Add the remaining wet ingredients, then add the dry mixture, mixing until combined. Divide the cake batter into two lined cake pans and bake until golden brown. There's enough butter in the cake that you won't need to grease the pans.

To tell if the cakes are done, insert a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, it's finished baking. The top of the cake should also spring back when gently poked.

Leave the cakes in the pan and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Then, invert them and remove the parchment paper. If your cakes rose slightly, you can slice off the bump to have perfectly even layers.

Step 2: Roast strawberries

Meanwhile, roast fresh strawberries until juicy and softened. After about 40 minutes, remove the berries from the oven and blend them with a touch of honey. You can prepare the pureed roasted strawberries the night before if desired.

Next, make the strawberry syrup. Simmer together equal parts water, sugar, and strawberries until the berries are soft. Strain the liquid, reserving the berries for another use. Feel free to make the syrup the day before too.

Step 3: Assemble cake

Once all of the components are cool, it's time to assemble the roasted strawberry mousse cake.

First, bloom the powdered gelatin by sprinkling it in water. Meanwhile, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Heat the gelatin in the microwave just until it melts. Then, add the gelatin and strawberry puree to the whipped cream, mixing until combined.

Brush your bottom cake layer with strawberry syrup, then arrange halved strawberries around the edge. Wrap the cake with a strip of parchment paper or acetate foil if you have it.

Carefully pour the mousse into the center, spreading it with a spatula to fill the cake. Let the mousse set for about 15 minutes in the fridge before stacking the top layer.

Place the top cake layer on the mousse, gently pressing it down. Finally, brush more strawberry syrup on top and return the cake to the fridge to set.

Step 4: Decorate

After about 4 hours, take the strawberry cake out of the fridge and finish decorating. Spread whipped cream on top and garnish with fresh berries to finish. If you're feeling extra fancy, sprinkle edible flowers on top too.

The sponge cake will firm up a bit in the fridge but not to worry, it'll still be a lovely texture.

This roasted strawberry mousse cake was everything I wanted and more. Strawberry flavor is oozing out in every bite in the syrup, fresh fruit, and creamy mousse. The perfect way to celebrate!

Make-ahead and storage

• Make-ahead: All the components including the roasted strawberries, strawberry syrup, strawberry mousse, and sponge cake can be prepared the day before.
• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Frequently asked questions

More strawberry dessert recipes

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Recipe

Print Recipe

Roasted Strawberry Mousse Cake

Total Time7 hours hrs

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cake

Servings: 12

Author: Christine Ma

Ingredients

Sponge cake

• 1 ⅔ cup all-purpose flour (240 grams)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon softened butter (240 grams)
• 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (240 grams)
• 4 large eggs at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons buttermilk

Roasted strawberry mousse

• 24 ounces strawberries, stems removed
• 2 tablespoons honey
• ¼ cup water (62 ml)
• 1 ½ tablespoons powdered gelatin (15 grams)
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream (375 ml)
• ½ cup powdered sugar (65 grams)

Strawberry syrup

• 4 ounces sliced strawberries
• ¼ cup water (62 ml)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 grams)

Remaining ingredients

• 1 pound fresh strawberries about 8-10 berries halved
• 1 cup whipped cream

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
• Prepare the cake. Sift together flour with baking powder and salt two times.
• Beat together butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. While the mixer is on, add eggs one at a time, fully incorporating the egg before adding the next. Scrape down sides of the bowl and add lemon zest, vanilla, and buttermilk. Stir until well combined.
• Add flour mixture to batter, stirring until combined. Do not overmix. Divide cake batter into prepared cake pans and smooth tops to create even layers.
• Bake cake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool cakes completely on a wire rack. Invert cakes once cooled and remove parchment paper.
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread 24 ounces whole strawberries on sheet pan and roast for 35-40 minutes or until softened. Remove from oven and blend strawberries with 2 tablespoons honey and any juices on the pan until smooth. Let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make strawberry syrup. Combine sliced strawberries with water and sugar in a medium saucepot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and continue to simmer for 8-10 minutes or until berries are softened. Do not press down on the strawberries while they cook. Remove from heat and strain berries, reserving them for another time. Cool strawberry syrup.
• Sprinkle gelatin on ¼ cup water and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Whip heavy cream until medium peaks form. Add powdered sugar and continue to whip until stiff peaks form.
• Microwave gelatin mixture for 20 seconds or until powder has dissolved but the water is not boiling. While the mixer is running, slowly add gelatin to whipped cream, mixing until combined. Add pureed roasted strawberries, mixing just until combined.
• Assemble the cake. Place bottom cake layer on a cake stand or plate. Brush the top with strawberry syrup. Arrange halved strawberries around the edge, gently pressing down on the berries to keep them in place. Wrap the outside of the cake with a strip of parchment paper or acetate foil for cakes. Carefully pour strawberry mousse into center of cake, spreading it with a spatula so that it fills the cake. Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes or until set.
• Remove cake from the fridge and place remaining cake layer on top, gently it pressing down. Brush strawberry syrup on top and return cake to the fridge. Let chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Remove cake from fridge and spread whipped cream on top. Garnish with fresh berries and serve.

Notes

All the components including the roasted strawberries, strawberry syrup, strawberry mousse, and sponge cake can be prepared the day before. Assemble the cake and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.