Get ready to dazzle your taste buds and impress your guests with these effortlessly elegant Layers of tangy homemade raspberry puree, luscious vanilla cream, and a hint of rich chocolate cream come together in a symphony of flavors. This beautiful, easy-to-make dessert is perfect for any occasion and is, of course, completely halal.
📜 Ingredients
For the Raspberry Puree:
2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
1/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
For the Vanilla Cream Layer:
1 cup heavy whipping cream, very cold
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened (or mascarpone for a richer taste)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon halal vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Cream Layer:
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, very cold
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
For Garnish:
1 cup fresh raspberries
Powdered sugar, for dusting
📝 Instructions
- Prepare the Raspberry Puree: In a small saucepan, combine the raspberries, granulated sugar, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, mashing the raspberries gently with a spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the raspberries have broken down. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for another minute, until the puree thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let it cool completely. For a smoother puree, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds, then cool.
- Make the Vanilla Cream: In a large mixing bowl, whip the very cold heavy whipping cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese (or mascarpone) with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until just combined and fluffy.
- Prepare the Chocolate Cream: In a medium mixing bowl, whip the very cold heavy whipping cream with the unsweetened cocoa powder and powdered sugar until firm peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip.
- Assemble the Parfaits: Grab 4-6 small serving glasses or clear jars. Start by spooning a layer of cooled raspberry puree into the bottom of each glass.
- Next, pipe or spoon a generous layer of the vanilla cream over the raspberry puree.
- Add another layer of raspberry puree, followed by a layer of the chocolate cream. You can create beautiful swirls by piping the creams.
- Chill and Garnish: Cover the parfaits lightly and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the layers to set. Just before serving, top each parfait with a handful of fresh raspberries and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar.
💡 Chef's Tips
- Make Ahead Magic: These parfaits are fantastic for meal prepping! You can assemble them up to 24 hours in advance. Just add the fresh raspberries and powdered sugar garnish right before serving for the best look.
- Berry Variations: Feel free to experiment with other berries like strawberries, blueberries, or mixed berries for the puree. Adjust sugar levels based on the sweetness of your fruit.
- Cream Cheese Alternative: If you don't have cream cheese or mascarpone, you can make the vanilla cream using just whipped cream and powdered sugar, though the texture will be lighter. For added stability, consider adding a touch of instant vanilla pudding mix (halal certified) to the cream cheese mixture before folding in the whipped cream.
