Vegan raspberry mousse – 4 WAYS

Vegan raspberry mousse – 4 WAYS

vegan raspberry mousse

If you’ve been reading my blog for long enough, you must know that I am massive fan of aquafaba and I use it in my cooking all the time. I first stumbled across it in 2015 and have experimented with it ever since. The vegan chocolate mousse video we did back in July 2015 went viral and I’ve since used it to make so many things I lost count, but its application to make delicate mousses that even non-vegans rave about still blows my mind.

As it’s summer and I have been feeling a bit nostalgic lately, I’ve decided to replicate something my grandma used to make with egg whites and wild strawberries. Have you ever had wild strawberries? They are to die for, intensely aromatic and not quite like strawberries at all – much more fleshy and less watery. Maybe because Poland has historically been quite tortured and therefore poor, we are a nation of foragers. We love picking free foodstuffs and they are widely used in many of our dishes. Things like bilberries (traditionally used in these), wild strawberries, sour cherries, blackberries, mulberries and a whole host of wild mushrooms, of course.

So anyway, my Gran was a very good cook and she used to make this delicious wild strawberry mousse with loads of egg whites and tonnes of sugar. It was light and super sweet, which of course I did not mind as a child and she would serve it in elegant bowls with wafers stuck in that were used as an eating device. It was definitely one of her summer dinner party desserts of choice.

With her at the back of my mind, I made a light mousse using raspberries (I am pretty sure that strawberries would work also). It’s not quite like what she used to make – I would never be able to replicate how delicious her mousse was – but it brings back my happy food memories so that’s enough for me.

This vegan raspberry mousse is fruity and light and really perfect as a summer dessert. And because I am an annoying perfectionist that never feels like enough, I’ve tested two different options for you – one with coconut and one without. I also tested using maple syrup (essentially any liquid sweetener will work) and sugar. They both work well but the method in each case needs to be a bit different so please read the instructions carefully. Sugar produces a stiffer mousse but then I know that some people are not keen on it – I’ve got a maple syrup sweetened version for you, which while a touch softer, is also super light and airy. Take your pick and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed testing all these variations for you ๐Ÿ˜‰ x

vegan raspberry mousse pressing raspberries

vegan raspberry mousse making

vegan raspberry mousse backlit

vegan raspberry mousse three

vegan raspberry mousse texture

serves
4 portions
PREP
15 min
COOKING
0 min
serves
4 portions
PREPARATION
15 min
COOKING
0 min
INGREDIENTS
CASHEW VERSION

  • 240 g / 8ยฝ oz fresh raspberries, plus more to decorate
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 30 g / 2 tbsp smooth (unroasted preferably) cashew butter*
  • 60 ml / ยผ cup maple syrup OR 50 g / ยผ cup superfine caster sugar
  • 130 g / 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in boiling water for 30 mins
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 80 ml / 1/3 cup aquafaba

COCONUT VERSION

  • 240 g / 8ยฝ oz fresh raspberries, plus more to decorate
  • 60 ml / ยผ cup maple syrup OR 50 g / ยผ cup superfine caster sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 150 g / ยพ cup coconut cream (separated from a tin of full fat coconut milk**)
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 80 ml / 1/3 cup aquafaba
METHOD
  1. Press your raspberries through a sieve to get rid of the seeds – you should end up with under a cup of raspberry puree. You don’t have to do that but your mousse will be a bit gritty if you skip this step.
  2. If making the CASHEW VERSION, place pulp from the raspberries, vanilla extract, cashew butter and maple syrup (if using sugar don’t add it in yet) at the bottom of a blender. If you are making the COCONUT VERSION whisk all of the ingredients (apart from sugar if that’s what you choose to sweeten it with) together in a bowl using a wire whisk.
  3. If making the CASHEW VERSION, add drained and rinsed cashews and blend until the mixture is silky smooth. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  4. Place aquafaba in a clean (thatโ€™s very important as any grease residue will prevent the aquafaba from foaming) glass or metal bowl. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice. Whip it until you achieve stiff peaks โ€“ you should be able to invert the bowl and the whipped aquafaba should not budge an inch. If it does it means that it hasnโ€™t been whipped enough.
  5. If USING SUGAR to sweeten, add it slowly to the whipped aquafaba whipping well after each addition.
  6. As I wanted to prettify this dessert for the blog, I mashed up some extra raspberries and placed a thin layer of them at the bottom of each glass, but be aware that the extra moisture makes the mousse a little less firmly set where it comes in contact with the raspberries. I don’t think it’s much of an issue, but I want you to be aware.
  7. Fold stiff aquafaba into the raspberry mixture gently and gradually (I do it in 3-4 batches) until the two are well incorporated. Use a slow folding motion so that you don’t knock too much air out of the dessert when mixing. The mixture will deflate a little bit, donโ€™t worry, thatโ€™s normal. Pour the mixture between 4 small glasses and place them in the fridge for 8 hours (or overnight) for the mousse to set.
  8. Once the mousse has had a chance to set, decorate with fresh raspberries just before serving. This dessert keeps in an airtight container for about 2 days.

NOTES
*You can skip this if you don’t have any in your cupboard, but be aware that the mousse will be a bit softer and the bottom of it less set than the top. Extra fat found in the cashew butter renders the mousse more stable.

**In order to separate the cream you need to chill the tin undisturbed for a few days, after which time the cream should have floated to the top. I have not tried using store bought coconut cream, but it should work fine provided there is enough fat in it.

Based on my previous mousse recipes: Peanut Butter Caramel Chocolate Mousse, Healthy Vegan Chocolate Mousse, Fluffy Vegan Chocolate Mousse, Vegan Black Forest Chocolate Mousse and finally Peanut Butter Mousse.

SHARE
NUTRITIONAL INFO
calories
223
11%
sugars
34 g
38%
fats
7 g
9%
saturates
6 g
29%
proteins
1 g
3%
carbs
41 g
16%
*per mousse
How would you rate this recipe?
This is a test string

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

5.0
5 reviews, 25 comments
REVIEWS & QUESTIONS
Julia Scott:
When using coconut method do you still have to whisk aquafaba separately?
Many thanks
    Ania
    Ania:
    Yes, aquafaba needs to reach stiff peaks whatever method you choose. Hope this helps! Ania
Dar:
Could this mousse be used for in between cake layers?
    Ania
    Ania:
    Hi Dar,
    Yes, possibly but you will need to make some tweaks as it will be too fragile as is - it's deigned to be eaten with a spoon and not to be weighed down with anything in this particular recipe. First of all, I would add some extra fat (melted but cooled vegan butter or coconut oil) to the rasperry mixture before folding in aquafaba. This will make it stiffer and less delicate. Secondly, if possible, I would pour it over the cake layer and let it set in the tin before placing another cake layer on top - that way you won't loose any aeration when spreading the mousse with a knife. Hope this helps! Ania
Sara:
Hi Ania, I'm thinking about making a raspberry mousse tart for my birthday next week and I was wondering if you could help. Do you think that doubling the recipe would make enough to fill a round 27 cm (cake) pan, filling up to around 2 to 3 centimeters in height? Or would you triple the recipe just to be sure? Thanks for your help and based on the reviews I can't wait to try it :)
    Ania
    Ania:
    Hi Sara,
    Delighted that you are thinking of making this for your special day and I will do my best to be of help...If my maths is correct, to have a 2cm tall layer, you'll need about 1.1 liter of the mousse in total. According to my notes my recipe produces about 500 ml (if you use coconut cream) and a bit more 700 ml (if you use cashews) so doubling should be enough. There is two considerations though, this mousse is delicate and so increasing the volume might make it deflate easier (due to its own increased weight and the necessity to mix longer to incorporate ingredients into whipped aquafaba). If you are experienced baker and have done aquafaba desserts before, you should be ok, but if it's one of your first attempts that would certainly be a consideration. In the latter case, it may be best to do it in two batches so that it's easier to manage. Secondly, to make sure the cake slices nicely, I would personally feel the need to stiffen the mousse a little - in this recipe, it's not meant to be sliced, it's meant to be eaten with a spoon. The easiest way to do that is to incorporate some fat (melted vegan butter, like Naturli, would be my choice) into the raspberry base before folding in aquafaba. Exactly how much is needed, is very much only a guess but I would say 50 g per two portions of the mousse. Hope this helps and sorry it's not that straightfoward, but I do not want you to be disappointed. x Ania
    PS: forgot to say, how about this recipe instead as it's already in a tart form and chocolate helps with the firmer texture. You can also do the filling in a regular pasty case.
      Sara:
      Ania,
      the way you took the time to answer this with so much consideration is truly amazing and I thank you. I was wondering about the stiffness too, so thank you for addressing that. I'll do my best to adjust the recipe so that it will work for me, and when I do I will update you.
      Thank you again, you've made my day.
      Hope all is well,
      Sara
        Ania
        Ania:
        My pleasure, Sara! I really want to to be happy with the outcome! x Ania
Danica:
This is absolutely the best recipe for vegan raspberry mousse it was a huge success, Everyone loved it! I made my own Aquafaba. It was very easy following your instructions. I never would of thought of using garbanzo beans but, it works great! I made one batch with cashews and one with coconut milk, both are good but the coconut milk version is the creamiest great texture and is my favorite!
Thank you for sharing ๐Ÿ˜Š
    Ania
    Ania:
    Thanks for your kind words, Danica! I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed this mousse so much and I really appreciate you taking the time to review. x Ania
grace:
I made the coconut version and it was AMAAAAAAAZING. So light, fluffy and flavourful. I used strawberries that I froze last summer and these came out fruity and not too sweet. I have managed to eat 3 today, despite my best efforts at control.
    Ania
    Ania:
    Hahahah, I think we have a lot in common! My lack of self-control is legendary (although I am working on it!). Glad you enjoyed them so much, Grace and thanks for taking the time to let me know. x Ania
Carol:
HI
I soak and cook batches of organic chickpeas as we were using so many cans!! Wondering which part of the process gives me aquafaba? The water after they've been soaked overnight? Or the water after they've been boiled for 2-3 hours?
Neither of them have the appearance or feel of aquafaba from a can...
thanks
Carol
    Ania
    Ania:
    Hi Carol,
    It's the cooking water! You can reduce it if it's too thin, plus storing chickpeas in the water after cooking makes it stronger too. Here is an article I wrote on this subject. Hope this helps! Ania
David Hellstrom:
I blended the full fat coconut milk with the vanilla and maple syrup, and it completely separated :(
    Ania
    Ania:
    Oh no, I am so sorry to hear that David, but the recipe calls for coconut CREAM (not milk) that floats to the top when a can of full fat coconut milk has been chilled for a while. It sounds like you used both the cream and the water, which is why the separation has probably occurred.
Garrett:
Very good idea ! i will make this for the family this weekend!
    Ania
    Ania:
    Great to hear, I hope you and your family will enjoy this dessert! Ania
Elke:
Hi Ania, Iโ€™ve made the cashew + maple version and it turned out amazing. So light and airy, very tasty and not too sweet. I substituted almond butter for the cashew butter. We love your recipes!
    Ania
    Ania:
    Hi Elke,
    I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed it, Elke and thank you for your kind words about my recipes! x Ania
Siri:
What a coincidence, I made similar one using farm fresh strawberries recently, they came our really well except that when store din fridge the bottom became a bit watery!
    Ania
    Ania:
    Indeed! :)
Matt:
This is delicious! First batch made from homemade raspberries is currently cooling in the fridge - doubt it will last long. Felt a bit indulgent so whipped some coconut cream to top it with. Dessert will be a bit outrageous tonight!
    Ania
    Ania:
    Sounds gorgeous and I hope it will go down well with everyone! Ania
Rosemary:
Hi Ania,
This looks really yummy but do you this I could use thawed frozen raspberries or would it make it too runny?
    Ania
    Ania:
    Hi Rosemary,
    I have not tried so I am not 100% sure, but I think it should work well. Perhaps, it's a good idea to maybe reduce the pulp a little bit (and cool it afterwards) to evaporate excess moisture before incorporating into the dessert. I hope this helps! Ania
Karolina:
Hi Ania!
The real question here is: why have I just discovered your blog now????
It is absolutely wonderful and spot-on! No wonder - all Anias that I know rock!
Thank you for sharing your outstanding ideas!
Greetings from Saudi Arabia,
Karolina :)
    Ania
    Ania:
    Aw, thank you for your kind words, Karolina! I'm really happy to hear that you found it and I hope you'll enjoy cooking my recipes. x Ania
Louisa Berry:
Are you using tinned aquafaba or making your own? We used to use tinned aquafaba but recently all the different brands we have tried have switched from a sugar and salt brine, to a purely salt brine. This is obviously more salty and is too salty to use in most things, even hummous. Any ideas?
    Ania
    Ania:
    Hi Louisa,
    I tend to make my own. We eat a lot of chickpeas so I tend to always have some on hand. If I have to buy it I tend to buy jars of chickpeas - my local Turkish store sells them. Hope this helps! Ania
DON'T MISS A SINGLE RECIPE
Join our mailing list and we we will let you know when we publish a new recipe. You'll receive our DELIGHTFUL DESSERTS E-BOOK as a thank you for supporting us.