Are you craving a delicious dessert that's both easy to make and visually stunning? Look no further than this layered chocolate parfait! This recipe is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen. It's a delightful blend of textures and flavors, making it ideal for a quick weeknight treat or a sophisticated dessert for a special occasion. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with this simple yet elegant homemade chocolate parfait!
Ingredients:
This recipe makes two servings. Feel free to double or triple it depending on your needs.
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For the Chocolate Pudding:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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For the Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream, cold
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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For the Chocolate Layer:
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
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Optional Toppings:
- Chocolate shavings
- Fresh berries
- Chopped nuts
Instructions:
Making the Chocolate Pudding:
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, cocoa powder, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until smooth.
- Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a simmer. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the pudding into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill completely.
Preparing the Whipped Cream:
- In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat.
Melting the Chocolate:
- Place the chopped chocolate and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
Assembling the Parfaits:
- Once the pudding is chilled, spoon a layer of it into two glasses or dessert dishes.
- Top with a layer of whipped cream.
- Drizzle with melted chocolate.
- Repeat the layers (pudding, whipped cream, chocolate) until the glasses are almost full.
- Top with your favorite toppings, such as chocolate shavings, fresh berries, or chopped nuts.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Parfaits:
- For a richer chocolate flavor, use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet.
- If you don't have heavy cream, you can substitute with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
- Make the pudding and whipped cream ahead of time to save time when assembling the parfaits.
- Don't over-whip the cream, or it will become grainy.
Variations:
- Strawberry Chocolate Parfait: Add sliced strawberries between the layers.
- Mint Chocolate Parfait: Add crushed peppermint candies or a few drops of peppermint extract to the whipped cream.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Parfait: Swirl peanut butter into the chocolate pudding layer.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 450-500 Fat: 25-30g Protein: 5-7g Carbohydrates: 50-60g
Enjoy this easy and delicious chocolate parfait recipe! It's a perfect quick dinner dessert, a healthy-ish treat, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. This recipe makes for the best chocolate parfait you'll ever have! Happy cooking!