Christmas Cake Parfaits Recipes

CANDY CANE PARFAITS

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat milk and pudding mix on low speed for 2 minutes. Divide half of the cookie crumbs among six parfait glasses. Layer with half of the pudding and whipped topping. Repeat cookie and pudding layers. Dollop with remaining whipped topping; sprinkle with candy canes.

EASY NO-BAKE CHEESECAKE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Beat the cream cheese, 3 tablespoons heavy cream and 5 tablespoons sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and the lemon juice and zest. Beat until light and creamy, about 3 minutes.
• Whisk together the remaining 1 cup heavy cream, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and the sour cream in a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer (or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment) on high speed until soft peaks form.
• Add a layer of crushed graham crackers to the bottom of each parfait glass. Top the graham crackers with a layer of the cheesecake, then a layer of fruit (see Cook's Note). Top each parfait with a dollop of the whipped cream and serve.

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.

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.