Christmas Black Forest Parfait

It’s only six more days until Christmas and I’ve already had to let out 1 more inch from my (already) stretchy pants. What the heck, one more rich dessert couldn’t possibly hurt my waistline, could it?

This recipe is so easy that even Santa (aka ‘Father Christmas’) could whip up this dessert in a hurry in-between his drops down the chimney.

This Black Forest Parfait combines layers of crushed chocolate wafers (or brownies), a creamy ricotta mixture and cherry compote. This recipe evokes the wonderful flavor of a Black Forest Cake, without the fuss of having to make one.

Counting down to Christmas, five, four, three ……

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Black Forest Christmas Parfait

2014-12-19 19:57:05

Yields 4

Layers of cream, cherry compote and 'cheats' Black Forest cake make this a perfect dessert for Christmas

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For the cherry compote

1. 2 cups fresh cherries
2. 1/2 cup water
3. 2 tbsp sugar
4. 1 tsp lemon juice
5. Pinch salt
6. 1 tbsp blueberry or strawberry preserves (optional)
7. 1 tbsp. cornstarch

For the Parfait

1. 1 cup ricotta cheese
2. ½ cup cream cheese
3. 2 tbsp sugar
4. 1 tbsp maple syrup
5. 1 tsp lemon juice
6. 1 tsp vanilla extract
7. 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
8. 12 chocolate wafers, crushed or 1 ½ cups chocolate brownies, crumbed *

Instructions

1. Remove stems and pits from the cherries; place cherries in a saucepan with water, sugar, lemon juice, salt and preserves (optional). Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes until the cherries soften.
2. Mix the cornstarch with a little water to form a paste, then add to the pan. Simmer for a few more minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let cool.
3. Place the ricotta cheese, cream cheese and sugar in a food processor and process until smooth. Add the maple syrup, lemon juice and vanilla extract and process until combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with electric beaters until peaks form. Fold in the whipped cream to the ricotta cheese mixture.
5. To assemble the dessert, place approximately 2 tablespoons of the crushed chocolate wafers (or crumbed chocolate brownies) in the bottom of each parfait glass. Top with 2 – 3 heaping tablespoons of the ricotta cheese mixture, followed by a heaping tablespoon of the cherry compote. Repeat the layers and top with a mint leaf for decoration (optional). Refrigerate for several hours prior to serving.

Notes

1. * Here, you could substitute crushed chocolate Oreo cookies.

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