Vanilla Mousse Berry Jello (Printable View)
Creamy vanilla mousse layered over vibrant berry jello creates this stunning chilled dessert.
# What You'll Need:
→ Berry Jello Layer
01 - 2 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 1/2 cups water
04 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
05 - 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin powder (14 g total)
→ Vanilla Mousse Layer
06 - 1 cup whole milk
07 - 1 vanilla bean (or 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract)
08 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
09 - 3 large egg yolks
10 - 1 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder
11 - 1 tablespoon cold water
12 - 1 cup heavy cream, cold
→ Garnish
13 - Fresh berries
14 - Mint leaves
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine berries, sugar, and 1 cup water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, gently mashing berries with a spoon. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds and pulp, returning liquid to saucepan.
02 - Sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water in a small bowl and let bloom for 5 minutes. Stir bloomed gelatin into hot berry liquid until fully dissolved. Add lemon juice and mix well.
03 - Pour berry jello into bottom of serving glasses or trifle dish, filling halfway up. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firmly set.
04 - Split vanilla bean and scrape seeds into saucepan. Add milk and heat just until steaming. Remove from heat. Whisk egg yolks with sugar until pale, then slowly pour hot milk into yolks while whisking constantly.
05 - Return mixture to saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring until slightly thickened and coats back of spoon. Do not boil.
06 - Sprinkle gelatin over 1 tablespoon cold water, let bloom 5 minutes, then stir into warm custard until dissolved. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally to prevent skin formation.
07 - Whip heavy cream to soft peaks. Gently fold whipped cream into cooled custard until fully combined and smooth.
08 - Once berry jello is set, spoon or pipe vanilla mousse over jello layer. Chill at least 2 hours more until mousse is set.
09 - Garnish with fresh berries and mint leaves before serving, if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast between tangy berry and silky vanilla keeps every bite interesting
- It looks impressive but actually comes together in manageable stages
- Make it ahead and let the refrigerator do all the heavy lifting
02 -
- Let the berry layer set completely before adding the mousse or the layers will blur together
- Room temperature custard folds into whipped cream much better than warm custard
03 -
- Run your knife under hot water between slices if serving from a larger dish
- A splash of berry liqueur in the jello layer makes this a grown up dessert