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Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Mousse Cake

A decadent dessert featuring layers of rich chocolate cake and light strawberry mousse, topped with a luscious chocolate ganache and fresh strawberries.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 1 box chocolate or vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box) or your favorite simple homemade cake
For the Strawberry Mousse
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries Ensure frozen strawberries are thawed and excess moisture is drained
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 cup heavy cream Whipped until soft peaks form
  • 1 packet unflavored gelatin Used to stabilize the mousse
  • 2 tbsp cold water
For the Ganache and Garnish
  • 1 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
  • 2 tbsp butter or cream
  • Fresh strawberries whole or halved For garnish
  • Optional drizzle of extra melted chocolate

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven as per the instructions on the cake mix box. Prepare your cake batter as instructed, and bake in a round cake pan. Allow it to cool completely.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the strawberries have softened, about 5-7 minutes. Puree the mixture using a blender and allow it to cool slightly.
  3. In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it blooms. Then, heat it briefly in the microwave or over low heat until it dissolves completely.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Slowly fold in the strawberry puree and the dissolved gelatin until evenly mixed.
Assembly
  1. Once the cake has cooled, slice it in half horizontally. Place the bottom layer on a serving platter and spread a generous layer of strawberry mousse over it. Place the top layer of the cake back on top.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the chocolate chips and butter over low heat. Stir until melted and smooth. Let it cool slightly, then pour over the top of the cake, letting it drizzle down the sides.
  3. Decorate the top of the cake with whole or halved fresh strawberries. If desired, drizzle with extra melted chocolate for an added touch.
  4. Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to set the mousse before serving.

Notes

For flavor variations, experiment with different fruits like raspberries or peaches. For a lighter version, use a sponge cake or angel food cake instead of chocolate cake. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. This cake can be made a day in advance; just keep it refrigerated until serving.