Tart Cherry Cheesecake Parfaits

Tart Cherry Cheesecake Parfaits
4.5 (2 ratings)
This dessert is perfect if you're low on time but still want something delicious. These cherry cheesecake parfaits can be made in just 20 minutes and have the perfect blend of sweet and tart flavors. Recipe courtesy of Jeanine Donofrio, LoveandLemons.com, provided by Choose Cherries
Prep Time
20
minutes
Cook Time
1
minute
Servings
4
Tart Cherry Cheesecake Parfaits
Total time: 21 minutes
Ingredients
  • 1 cup (8-ounces) mascarpone cheese or creme fraiche
  • 1/2 cup coconut solids, scooped from 1 can chilled full fat coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon oil or lemon zest (optional, but delicious)lemon zest (optional, but delicious)
  • 6 graham crackers
  • 1/2 cup raw, unsalted walnuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 tablespoon butter or hardened coconut oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon water, more as needed
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 and 1.2 cup frozen montmorency tart cherries
Directions
  1. In a food processor, blend together the mascarpone cheese, the thick solid part from the chilled can of coconut milk (reserve the watery part for another use), maple syrup and vanilla until smooth.
  2. Taste and decide if you would like your filling sweeter.
  3. Add more maple syrup if you like.
  4. Transfer to a bowl and chill for at least 1 hour, or until it thickens.
  5. If using frozen Montmorency tart cherries, let them thaw in a bowl at room temperature, reserving their juices.
  6. In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers, walnuts and cinnamon together until crumbled.
  7. Add butter or coconut oil and pulse again.
  8. Add a little bit of water until the mixture starts to clump a little.
  9. Assemble parfaits with graham cracker crumble, creamy filling and top generously with Montmorency tart cherries and their juices.