Christmas Day Parfaits

Christmas Day Parfaits Recipe with Raspberries and Peppermint Tea

Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes | Servings: 6

Introduction

Christmas Day Parfaits are a delightful and festive dessert that is perfect for the holiday season. This recipe combines the flavors of raspberries, mint, chocolate, and ice cream to create a delicious and visually appealing treat that is sure to impress your guests.

History

The origins of Christmas Day Parfaits are not well-documented, but parfaits have been a popular dessert choice for many years. The combination of layers of different flavors and textures in a parfait has been a favorite among dessert lovers for its versatility and delicious taste.

Ingredients

3 cups raspberries
1 bunch fresh mint
3 tbsp (to 4) sugar (or to taste)
2 tbsp water
1.25 cups heavy cream
5 peppermint tea bags
10 oz (283 g) high-quality semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1.5 pt (710 ml) vanilla ice cream

How to prepare

Set aside approximately 18 raspberries and 6 sprigs of fresh mint for garnish.
In a pot, combine the sugar and water, then add the remaining raspberries.
Gently stir to coat the berries with the liquid.
Cover the pot and cook the berries over medium heat until they soften, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent them from losing their shape.
Remove the pot from heat.
Remove the remaining fresh mint leaves from their stems and coarsely chop them.
In a medium pot, scald the cream over medium-high heat.
Remove the pot from heat and add the tea bags and fresh mint leaves to the cream.
Allow the cream to steep until it is completely cool.
Squeeze the tea bags into the cream, strain it, and return the cream to the pot.
Place the pot back on the heat and scald it again.
Remove the pot from heat and stir in the chopped chocolate until it is completely melted.
This sauce can be prepared in advance and reheated when needed.
Arrange 6 parfait or pilsner glasses and place a tablespoon of the raspberry sauce at the bottom of each glass.
Layer the ice cream, chocolate mint sauce, and raspberry sauce twice, ending with the raspberry sauce on top.
Add a few uncooked raspberries and garnish with the fresh mint sprigs.

Variations

Use different types of berries, such as strawberries or blueberries, in place of raspberries.
Experiment with different flavors of ice cream, such as vanilla or peppermint.
Add crushed candy canes or chocolate shavings as a garnish for extra holiday flair.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to scald the cream for the chocolate mint sauce to ensure that it is heated to the proper temperature.

- Allow the cream to cool completely before adding the tea bags and mint leaves to steep.

- Make sure to strain the cream after steeping to remove any tea leaves or mint leaves.

- Layer the parfait ingredients in a clear glass to showcase the beautiful layers of the dessert.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Christmas Day Parfaits as a festive dessert after a holiday meal. Pair with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee for a cozy and indulgent treat.

Cooking Techniques

Scalding the cream for the chocolate mint sauce helps to infuse the flavors of the tea and mint leaves.

- Layering the parfait ingredients in a clear glass allows you to see the beautiful layers of the dessert.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use coconut cream or almond milk as a dairy-free alternative to heavy cream.

- Substitute dark chocolate for semisweet chocolate for a richer flavor.

Make Ahead Tips

The chocolate mint sauce can be prepared in advance and reheated when needed. The raspberry sauce can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Christmas Day Parfaits in tall parfait or pilsner glasses to showcase the beautiful layers of the dessert. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and a few uncooked raspberries for a festive touch.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Christmas Day Parfaits with a glass of dessert wine, such as a sweet Riesling or Moscato, for a delicious and indulgent dessert experience.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover Christmas Day Parfaits in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat the chocolate mint sauce, gently heat it in a saucepan over low heat until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Christmas Day Parfaits contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Christmas Day Parfaits contains approximately 45 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Christmas Day Parfaits contains approximately 25 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of Christmas Day Parfaits contains approximately 5 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

Christmas Day Parfaits are a good source of vitamin C from the raspberries and mint leaves.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (cream and ice cream) and chocolate, which may be allergens for some individuals.

Summary

Christmas Day Parfaits are a delicious dessert option that is relatively high in carbohydrates and fats, but also provide some essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Christmas Day Parfaits are a delicious and festive dessert option that is perfect for the holiday season. With layers of raspberries, mint, chocolate, and ice cream, this dessert is sure to be a hit with your guests. Enjoy this sweet treat as the perfect ending to your Christmas Day celebration!

How did I get this recipe?

I can't forget the moment I stumbled upon this recipe for Christmas Day Parfaits. It was a chilly winter day, just a few days before Christmas, and I was browsing through an old cookbook that had been passed down to me from my own grandmother. As I flipped through the pages, I came across a faded and yellowed piece of paper tucked between the pages. Curious, I unfolded it and found a handwritten recipe for what was simply described as "Christmas Day Parfaits."

The recipe was simple yet elegant, calling for layers of creamy vanilla pudding, tangy cranberry sauce, and crunchy gingerbread crumbles, all topped off with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. It sounded like the perfect dessert to serve on Christmas Day, so I decided to give it a try.

I followed the instructions carefully, mixing together the pudding and letting it cool before assembling the parfaits in tall glasses. As I layered the ingredients, I couldn't help but think of all the Christmas dinners and celebrations I had shared with my own family over the years. Each layer reminded me of a different memory - the warmth of the pudding representing the love we shared, the tanginess of the cranberry sauce symbolizing the laughter and joy, and the crunch of the gingerbread reminding me of the excitement and anticipation of the holiday season.

When I finished assembling the parfaits, I took a step back and admired my handiwork. The glasses looked so festive and inviting, with their layers of red, white, and brown. I couldn't wait to share them with my family on Christmas Day.

As the big day approached, I found myself thinking back to the origins of the recipe. I wondered who had written it down and where they had learned to make it. Had it been passed down through generations, like so many of the recipes in my own collection? Or had it been discovered by chance, like it had been for me?

I decided to do some research and see if I could uncover the history of the Christmas Day Parfaits. I searched through old cookbooks and websites, but I couldn't find any mention of the recipe anywhere. It seemed to be a hidden gem, waiting to be discovered by someone who would appreciate its simplicity and charm.

On Christmas Day, as my family gathered around the table to enjoy our holiday meal, I brought out the parfaits. Their eyes lit up with delight as they saw the festive glasses, and I knew I had made the right choice in trying out this new recipe.

As we dug into the parfaits, the flavors melded together in a delicious symphony of tastes and textures. The creamy pudding mixed with the tart cranberry sauce, the sweet gingerbread crumbles added a satisfying crunch, and the whipped cream on top provided the perfect finishing touch. It was a dessert unlike any we had ever tasted before, and we all agreed that it would become a new holiday tradition in our family.

As we sat around the table, enjoying our parfaits and sharing stories of Christmases past, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the serendipitous discovery of this recipe. It had brought us together in a special way, allowing us to create new memories and traditions that would last for years to come.

And so, as I savored the last bite of my Christmas Day Parfait, I knew that this recipe would always hold a special place in my heart. It had not only brought joy and delight to my family on this holiday, but it had also connected me to a long-lost tradition that would be cherished for generations to come. I smiled to myself, knowing that I had stumbled upon a true culinary gem that would continue to brighten our Christmas celebrations for years to come.