Christmas Cake Parfaits Recipes

CHEESECAKE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 3 tablespoons sugar and 3 tablespoons heavy cream. Put a heaping teaspoon of graham cracker crumbs in each glass. Top with the cream cheese mixture, chopped canned or fresh pears and sliced crystallized ginger.

CHRISTMAS CAKE PARFAITS

Steps:

• In a bowl, toss the fruitcake in the rum and let it stand for 10 minutes.
• In each of six 6-ounce parfait glasses, make layers of the softened ice cream and the fruitcake mixture, beginning with a layer of ice cream and ending with a layer of fruitcake.
• Freeze the filled parfait glasses, covering loosely, for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. (Note: If freezing for longer than 2 hours, let the parfaits stand at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes to soften slightly before serving.
• Just before serving, in a chilled bowl, beat the cream until it just holds stiff peaks, transfer it to a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tip and pipe it onto the parfaits.
• Garnish the parfaits with candied fruit, if desired.

BLACK FOREST CANNOLI PARFAITS

Steps:

• Drain cherries, reserving liquid in a 1-cup measuring cup. Add enough water to measure 1/3 cup; set aside., In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; stir in reserved cherry juice mixture until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in cherries and lemon juice. Cool., Place the ricotta, cream cheese and sugar in a food processor; cover and process until smooth. Add the syrup, lemon juice and vanilla; process until combined. Gently fold in whipped topping and chocolate chips., Place 1 tablespoon crushed wafers in each of eight parfait glasses. Top with 1/3 cup cheese mixture and a heaping tablespoonful of cherry sauce. Repeat layers. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.,

FESTIVE FROZEN CHOCOLATE PARFAIT

Steps:

• Put all the dried fruit in a bowl and pour over the brandy. Leave to soak while you line a 900g loaf tin with cling film.
• Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, then set aside to cool a little. Whisk the egg yolks with the sugar and honey in a separate bowl until light, then fold into the melted chocolate. Place the mixture back over the pan of hot water and whisk for a couple of minutes until thickened.
• Melt the butter with the cocoa in a pan, leave to cool to room temperature, then whisk into the chocolate mixture. Whip the cream to soft peaks, then fold that into the chocolate too. Finally, fold in the fruit and the ginger nuts. Scrape everything into the prepared loaf tin, then freeze overnight, or for up to one month. To serve, turn out of the tin and cut into slices using a hot knife. The parfait is delicious on its own but also works well with a spoonful of crème fraîche.

CARROT-CAKE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 12 1/2-by-17 1/2-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Line with parchment; spray parchment. Whisk together carrots, eggs, sugars, oil, and fresh ginger. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ground ginger. Fold flour mixture into carrot mixture.
• Spread batter in pan. Bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 20 minutes. Invert onto rack; let cool completely. Cut out 16 cake rounds to fit in an 8-to-10-ounce glass, piecing together scraps as necessary.
• Spoon 2 tablespoons jam into each glass; layer with 1/4 cup filling, then 2 cake rounds, pressing to compact. Top each with 2 tablespoons filling and serve.