If you’re craving a dessert that’s light, fruity, and irresistibly creamy, a Passionfruit Mousse Cake is the perfect treat. Combining the tropical tanginess of passionfruit with the airy texture of mousse and the structure of cake, this dessert offers a refreshing twist that’s ideal for special occasions, summer parties, or whenever you want something elegant and flavorful.
In this post, we’ll dive into what makes passionfruit mousse cake so special, how to make it, and tips for a flawless result.
Table of Contents
What Is Passionfruit Mousse Cake?
A passionfruit mousse cake typically features:
- A soft cake base (often sponge or genoise)
- A silky, tangy passion fruit mousse layer
- Sometimes topped with a passionfruit glaze or jelly for extra shine and flavor
The mousse is light and airy, balanced beautifully by the tropical brightness of passionfruit, while the cake base provides structure and a satisfying bite.
Ingredients Overview
For the Cake Base:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Passionfruit Mousse:
- 1 cup passion fruit puree (fresh or store-bought)
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
- 2 tablespoons water (to bloom gelatin)
- 1 cup heavy cream (whipped to soft peaks)
For Optional Glaze:
- ½ cup passionfruit juice
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon gelatin (bloomed in 1 tablespoon water)
How to Make Passionfruit Mousse Cake
Prepare the Cake Base
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and line a springform pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
- In another bowl, beat eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy.
- Add milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract, mixing gently.
- Fold in the dry ingredients.
- Pour batter into the pan and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool completely.
Make the Passion Fruit Mousse
- Bloom gelatin by sprinkling it over 2 tablespoons of water. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- In a saucepan, combine passion fruit puree, sugar, and lemon juice. Heat gently until sugar dissolves.
- Stir in the bloomed gelatin until fully melted and combined. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
- In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream to soft peaks.
- Gently fold the cooled passion fruit mixture into the whipped cream until smooth and well combined.
Assemble the Cake
- Place the cooled cake base back into the springform pan.
- Pour the passion fruit mousse over the cake base, smoothing the top.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, until fully set.
Optional: Add Passionfruit Glaze
- Heat passionfruit juice and sugar gently.
- Stir in the bloomed gelatin until dissolved.
- Let cool slightly, then pour over the set mousse.
- Chill for an additional hour.
Tips for Success
- Use fresh passion fruit puree if available for a more intense flavor.
- Don’t over whip the cream—soft peaks keep the mousse light and airy.
- Bloom gelatin properly to ensure a smooth, stable mousse.
- Chill thoroughly—this helps the mousse set and makes slicing easier.
Serving Suggestions
- Garnish with fresh passion fruit seeds, mint leaves, or edible flowers.
- Pair with a tropical fruit salad on the side.
- Serve chilled for the best texture and flavor.
Passionfruit mousse cake is the perfect blend of tropical flavors and airy texture. Its refreshing tang, creamy mousse, and light cake base make it a standout dessert for both casual get-togethers and elegant celebrations.
