Strawberry Rhubarb & Vanilla Cheesecake Mousse Cups

These exquisite strawberry rhubarb & vanilla cheesecake mousse cups are the PERFECT summer treat! They’re so simple to make and pack easily into your picnic basket. Just don’t forget the spoons!

I usually make these desserts for picnics (because few desserts could be more picnic-perfect) but I made these particular desserts for a bachelorette party this time. My friends rented a big lake house in the Poconos for the weekend and we were all asked to bring a dessert.

Most desserts are pretty tricky to transport, and I didn’t want mine to have to travel on my lap in the car, so I just fit these cups into a small cooler with a few ice packs, popped them in the trunk and off I went!

A Few Tips!

1. You can substitute minute tapioca with cornstarch, but it’s not as tasty.

You need something to soak up all the liquid that gets released from the fruit when it bakes, and cornstarch is a common ingredient to serve that purpose but it tastes like… well, cornstarch. Minute tapioca is flavorless and simply absorbs all that tasty juice into a texture that isn’t gel-like or jiggly. It just keeps it from getting too runny. If you’re not sure where to find it, check the jello isle if your grocery store.

2. Use fresh strawberries and rhubarb for this recipe.

Frozen strawberries and rhubarb will release too much liquid and become softer than you want them to be when thawed. If this were a pie, it wouldn’t matter too much because the crust would provide that solid texture, but in this case, the crumbles absorb a bit of the moisture and the mousse is obviously quite soft. The most satisfying texture is when there’s a bit of firmness in the fruit.

3. Give the cups at least 2 hours to set properly.

Once your cups are filled, they’ll be the most heavenly texture after 2 hours in the fridge, and any time after that.

A Few Common Questions:

1. How long do they last?

They’re tastiest after setting for just 2-3 hours, but they’ll keep their texture for 24 hours. From then on, the crumbles will begin to absorb moisture from the strawberry rhubarb and become a bit soft, but honestly, I still think it’s delicious for at least 4 days in the fridge, even after the crumbles absorb some moisture.

2. What do I need to make this recipe?

• 6 8 oz. mason jars or glasses
• cutting board with sharp knife
• whisk
• mixing spoon
• 2 medium-size mixing bowls
• 8″ pyrex baking dish
• hand mixer or standing mixer
• food processor/small blender
• sauce pan (optional) – if heating butter on stovetop
• pastry piping bag (optional) – it makes it easier to add mousse to cups than a spoon

How to Make Strawberry Rhubarb & Vanilla Cheesecake Mousse Cups – Step by Step

For the Strawberry Rhubarb mixture

1. Preheat oven to 375. Slice strawberries into half-inch slices and down the center. Add sliced strawberries to one of the mixing bowls.

2. Slice rhubarb into half-inch slices. Add to the mixing bowl with strawberries.

3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together ½ cup sugar and 3 tbsp. tapioca.

4. Pour into strawberries and rhubarb. Mix gently until coated. Don’t worry if the tapioca still looks a little gritty once stirred nicely.

5. Pour strawberries and rhubarb into an 8″ square pyrex and bake for 25-30 minutes.

6. Once done, mix gently once more and refrigerate for 1 hour. (While the strawberry rhubarb mixture bakes, make your mousse and crumbles).

For the Cheesecake Mousse

1. Whip 1 cup of heavy whipping cream in a blender until it’s thoroughly whipped. You’ll know it’s ready when it stops spinning in the blender. Add whipped cream to a mixing bowl.

2. Add 12 oz. whipped cream cheese, 1½ tbsp. real vanilla extract and ½ cup condensed milk to the bowl. Whip mixture on high with a standing mixer or hand mixer until thoroughly mixed. Place in the refrigerator for an hour to set. (Make your crumbles while your mousse begins to set and your strawberry rhubarb continues to bake).

For the Crumbles

1. Heat 4 tbsp. of salted butter until melted. Set aside.

2. In a food processor, crumble Nilla wafers until you have 2 cups of crumbles. Don’t crumble for so long that they become too fine. You want them to be a tiny bit chunky. Add them to a mixing bowl with the melted butter and stir until thoroughly mixed. Place in refrigerator until both your strawberry rhubarb mixture cools and your cheesecake mousse sets.

To Assemble the Cups

1. Once everything is cooled and set, add 2 tsp. of crumbles to each of your 6 cups.

2. Gently pat them down with a kitchen utensil. I just used the end of my wooden lemon juicer.

3. Add 2 tsp. of strawberry rhubarb and make sure it’s spread into a nice, even layer.

4. Add a layer of cream cheese mousse. You can use a spoon or a pastry piping bag to make things a little easier, like I’ve done. Repeat with another layer of crumbles, then fruit, then mousse and allow them to set in the fridge for another 2 hours before serving.

Help Yourself to More Summer Dessert Inspiration:

• Pumpkin Flan with Chai Whipped Cream
• Beautiful Lemon and Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
• Layered Raspberry & Peach Crisp
• Sunshine Lavender Lemon Bars

And for even more inspiration, follow me on INSTAGRAM @shekeepsalovelyhome, on PINTEREST and FACEBOOK! And if you ever make any of my tasty drinks or treats, take a picture and tag me. I want to see!