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The dessert, French classic

Strawberry charlotte

Strawberry charlotte is a chilled dessert made of ladyfingers wrapped around a light strawberry mousse, serving 6. It takes 45 minutes of active work, is made entirely the day before, costs €3.20 per person, and rates as easy. The key to success is dipping the ladyfingers only briefly and folding the whipped cream in gently so it doesn't deflate.

A pale pink charlotte with a light strawberry mousse wrapped in ladyfingers, made entirely the day before so you can just enjoy the evening.

Strawberry charlotte
For
6 people
Work
45 min
Total time
5 h
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.20
Calories per person
430 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Strawberry charlotte plays on the contrast between soft, syrup soaked ladyfingers and a light strawberry mousse lifted with whipped cream. It tastes fresh, not too sweet, with a pale pink color that signals dessert the moment it hits the table. It asks for patience in the fridge more than effort in the kitchen, which makes it an easy win when you're hosting.

It belongs on the table in spring and summer, when strawberries taste their best, for a family lunch, a birthday, or a dinner with friends where you want a dessert that looks impressive without leaving you exhausted. Its freshness makes it a natural follow up to a richer main, like braised meat or fish in sauce.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 4 steps, 35 min
  2. The same day Nothing to do
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

Everything happens the day before, from the coulis to the mousse to assembling it in the mold, then the charlotte spends the night in the fridge to set fully. Just before guests arrive, unmold it onto your serving plate and halve the strawberries for decoration. At serving time, arrange the strawberries on top, dust with powdered sugar, and bring it straight to the table.

The ingredients

6 people

Pantry

  • Ladyfingers 30
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 100 g
  • Gelatin sheets 6
  • Powdered sugaroften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Fruit juice or syrup 15 cl

Fruits and vegetables

  • Strawberries 800 g
  • Lemon 1

Dairy

  • Heavy cream 40 cl

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Blend 500g of strawberries with the sugar and lemon juice, strain the coulis through a sieve, and warm a small part of it to dissolve the gelatin that's been softened in cold water.

    Squeeze the softened gelatin well before adding it in, or the extra water will dilute the mousse.

  2. Line a charlotte mold with plastic wrap, quickly dip the ladyfingers in the fruit juice, and line the base and sides, sugared side facing out. 15 min

    Press the ladyfingers tightly against each other, with no gaps between them.

  3. Whip the well chilled cream into soft peaks, gently fold in the strawberry coulis with the gelatin, pour the mousse into the mold, and cover with the remaining dipped ladyfingers. 20 min

    Fold gently with a spatula, you don't want to deflate the whipped cream.

  4. Refrigerate the charlotte overnight, well covered with plastic wrap.

    It needs at least six hours to set completely.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Halve the remaining strawberries for decoration and unmold the charlotte onto your serving plate.

    Set the plate upside down over the mold and flip in one confident motion, the plastic wrap helps release it.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Arrange the strawberries on top, dust with powdered sugar, and bring to the table.

    Add a mint leaf in the center for a fresh touch.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick ripe, fragrant strawberries for the coulis, since nothing is cooked to mask the flavor, the raw fruit carries the whole mousse.
  • Use heavy cream straight from the fridge, and chill the bowl and whisk too, so the whipped cream comes together quickly and holds its shape.
  • No charlotte mold? A deep round cake pan or a pastry ring lined with acetate works just as well.

The variations

  • Swap the strawberries for raspberries or a mix of both for a tangier mousse, keeping the sugar the same.
  • For kids, dip the ladyfingers in diluted strawberry or grenadine syrup instead of the fruit juice, it stays alcohol free and just as sweet.
  • For a quicker version, skip lining the mold with upright ladyfingers and spoon the mousse into individual glasses over a layer of crushed cookies.

What to serve it with

  • Extra red berry coulis on the side
  • A glass of chilled sparkling wine
  • Light coffee or tea to finish

Storage

The charlotte keeps for 2 days in the refrigerator, well covered, ideally left in its mold until serving. It doesn't freeze well, the mousse and ladyfingers lose their texture once thawed.

Questions about this recipe

Can I use powdered gelatin instead of sheets?

Yes, use the equivalent amount listed on the package, usually about 2g of powder per sheet. Bloom it in a little cold water before dissolving it into the warm coulis.

How do I make sure the charlotte unmolds cleanly?

Line the mold well with plastic wrap before adding the ladyfingers, it makes unmolding much easier. Set the serving plate upside down over the mold and flip both in one quick, confident motion.

Can I make this charlotte for more than 6 people?

Yes, just use a larger mold and scale up all the quantities proportionally. Keep the same ratio of mousse to ladyfingers so the charlotte holds together properly.

Do I need store bought ladyfingers?

They're the simplest and most reliable choice, their dry texture soaks up the syrup without falling apart. Homemade ladyfingers work too if they have a similar texture.

Can a strawberry charlotte be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 45 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 4 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make a strawberry charlotte?

Allow 5 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 45 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in a strawberry charlotte?

About 430 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a strawberry charlotte cost?

About €3.20 per person, that's €19.20 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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