Let’s Cook! – January 12, 2022
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LINDA HOSKINS
My husband and I prefer to stay home on New Year’s Eve, but I go all out in fixing a fancy meal for the two of us. We even use our good dishes and eat in the formal dining room. This year I wanted to fix an elegant dessert, but only enough for two people. I found this recipe online and it was so good that I made it again two days later! I will give the recipe as I found it, but then tell you the adjustments I made. This is very elegant served in small glassware.
Berry Cheesecake Parfaits
■ 2 oz. cream cheese,
softened
■ 2/3 cup marshmallow
creme
■ 1/2 cup sweetened
whipped cream
■ 4 Tbsp graham cracker
crumbs
■ 1 cup raspberries
■ 1 cup blueberries
Beat cream cheese and marshmallow creme till smooth. Fold in whipped cream. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp of the graham crackers crumbs into two glasses or dessert dishes. Layer each with 1/2 cup of the creamed mixture, 1/4 cup of the berries. Repeat layers. Refrigerate, covered, at least one hour prior to serving.
When I was making this, I thought there might not be enough of the cream cheese mixture, so I doubled it. And because I doubled it, I used cocktail glasses instead of my petite dessert glasses. The creamy mixture is so good, you could use it as a dip for fresh fruit. When I made it again a few days later, I used strawberries instead of raspberries. It is very good either way. I also added more graham cracker crumbs the second time I made it. I liked the crunch in it! Also, although I like real whipped cream better than frozen whipped topping, I did use the frozen whipped topping both times. If you prefer to whip your cream, you can sweeten it by whipping 1 cup heavy cream until it begins to thicken. Then add 3 Tbsp confectioners’ sugar and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Beat until soft peaks form. Another thing I did with this dessert, I saved a bit of the cream cheese mixture to put a dollop on top of each serving, garnished with a berry and small sprinkling of graham cracker crumbs. Very fancy! By the way, when I doubled the cream cheese mixture, I used all of my 7.5-ounce jar marshmallow fluff, no need to measure the sticky stuff!
Parfait is a French word meaning perfect. (How appropriate!) Parfait can be either of two types of dessert. In France, where the dish originated, parfait is made by boiling cream, egg, sugar and syrup to make a custard like puree. The American version usually consists of layers of whipped cream or ice cream, or yogurt layered with fruits and granola or nuts. Traditionally, parfait is served in tall glassware with a long spoon.
If you have a recipe to share, please send to letscook!@heraldpubs.com or mail to Mascoutah Herald, Mascoutah IL 62258. Thanks, and as I like to say, Happy Cooking!
