1. Prepare the Strawberries

Start by preparing the strawberries. Rinse them well and dice them into small pieces, then set them aside. If you’d like, you can reserve a few whole strawberries for garnishing the mousse later. In a small bowl, combine the diced strawberries with the strawberry jam (or preserves) and the optional tablespoon of lemon juice. Toss the strawberries gently to coat them, and let them sit for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to combine and the fruit to soften slightly.

2. Whip the Cream Cheese

In a medium-sized bowl, beat the softened cream cheese using an electric mixer until it’s smooth and creamy. This should take about 2 minutes. It’s essential that the cream cheese is softened before starting to ensure it blends smoothly with the other ingredients. Once smooth, add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese and continue to beat until it’s fully combined and the mixture is light and fluffy.

3. Whip the Heavy Cream

In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes on medium-high speed. The whipped cream should be thick enough to hold its shape but not overbeaten. Be careful not to go too far, or the cream can turn into butter.

4. Combine the Whipped Cream and Cream Cheese Mixture

Once both the cream cheese mixture and the whipped cream are ready, gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Use a spatula and fold in the whipped cream in batches, carefully mixing it until everything is well incorporated. Be gentle when folding to maintain the airy, fluffy texture of the mousse.

5. Add the Strawberries

Next, add the marinated strawberries (with the jam) into the mousse mixture and gently fold them in. The strawberries will add a burst of flavor and a pop of color to the mousse. If you want a stronger strawberry flavor, you can also add a small amount of strawberry puree at this point.

6. Chill the Mousse

Spoon the mousse into individual serving cups or a large serving dish. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the mousse to set and firm up. Chilling also helps the flavors meld together, making the mousse even more flavorful. If you’re serving the mousse in individual cups, this is also a great opportunity to add a layer of crushed graham crackers to the bottom of each cup to mimic a cheesecake crust.

7. Garnish and Serve

After the mousse has chilled and set, garnish with extra fresh strawberries on top for a beautiful finish. If you used graham crackers, you can sprinkle a few more crumbs on top for a crunchy texture that adds to the cheesecake experience. Serve the mousse chilled and enjoy!