Lemon-Berry Cheesecake Parfaits
Lemon-Berry Cheesecake Parfaits are the perfect no-bake dessert! There’s nothing better than sinking your spoon into layers of sweet berries, smooth cream and crunchy graham cracker crumbs laced with lemon curd!
Lemon-Berry Cheesecake Parfaits are the perfect no-bake dessert! There’s nothing better than sinking your spoon into layers of sweet berries, smooth cream and crunchy graham cracker crumbs laced with lemon curd!
Note: This post first appeared on April 19, 2012, after attending Pebble Beach Food & Wine. The recipe has been updated from the archives with updated content and photographs, as well as improved kitchen notes and recipe annotation. I hope you enjoy this favorite from my kitchen.
Our return to food reality was a little rough. After a weekend with a wine glass that seemed to be permanently affixed to my right hand, delivering a constant iv drip of various elixirs, and meticulously prepared dishes in dainty small plate form, we came home to a house with no foie gras, no pork belly, and a refrigerator with a jug full of apple juice.
“What should we do for lunch?” my husband and I asked one another.
We found ourselves eating leftover cold pizza that we permitted the children to enjoy with the babysitter. And then we laughed at the disparity in food experiences.
It took me a little while to get back in my cooking groove. I have to admit, after Pebble Beach Food & Wine, I found it a bit defeating. How would my cooking ever compare? So I started off slowly. I believe omelets were my first dish to reentry.
But desserts were easier.
Many of the sweet offerings at the tastings were transformed into more portable form – easier for both creator and eater. Mini parfaits, if you will. So while I was not feeling up to baking that hunk of a cheesecake my husband has been craving, I realized I would do it grand-tasting style and make Lemon-Berry Cheesecake Parfaits.
Sweet macerated berries topped a velutinous whipped cream with cream cheese laced with fresh lemon curd. Crumbled cinnamon graham cracker cookies. Oh, you’ve got to dig your spoon into this.
Don’t worry, I’ve got my cooking groove back. After a spoonful of this, I will be just fine.
How to Make Cheesecake Parfaits
This no bake dessert is perfect when you’re craving a berry cheesecake without the fuss! The components can be made in advance, or whipped up earlier in the day, if you wish!
The longest part is waiting for the berries to macerate — to release all their juices. Don’t skimp here, you want the sugars to soak into the berries and get all saucy. A squeeze of lemon juice is all you need for acidity, but you can also use a balsamic vinegar for an even deeper flavor.
When it comes to the cheesecake flavors, simply whip heavy cream with a light cream cheese. I prefer the “Neufchâtel” style cream cheese, but regular cream cheese works well, too.
As for the lemon curd, feel free to use store-bought, but if you have an extra 15 minutes, I highly recommend you make it! If you haven’t tried my recipe for homemade lemon curd, now is the perfect time to try it (you’ll be so tempted to eat it by the spoonful on its own!) — did I mention lemon curd only takes 15 minutes to whip up?
Once you layer the components, you can even chill the parfaits in the refrigerator up to a day in advance…if you can wait!
More No Bake Desserts
No-Churn Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake
Vanilla Raspberry Ice Cream Bombe
Churro Doughnut Holes with Ice Cream and Cherry Chipotle Sauce
Fresh Cherry Wine Sauce with Ice Cream
Meyer Lemon Coconut Panna Cotta
Lemon-Berry Cheesecake Parfaits
Ingredients
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 cup raspberries frozen will work, too
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3 oz 1/3 Less Fat cream cheese "Neufchâtel" style works beautifully
- 1/4 cup confectioners sugar
- 1/2 cup lemon curd
- 10-12 cinnamon graham crackers crushed into 1/2 inch pieces
Instructions
- In a glass bowl, combine the strawberries, raspberries, sugar and lemon juice and stir well. Gently press the berries with a masher to release some juices. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let it sit in the refrigerator for about 2 hours (or overnight).
- In the bowl of an electric mixer with a wire whisk, beat the heavy cream, cream cheese and confectioners sugar until it turns to stiff peaks. Transfer to an airtight container and chill until ready to assemble.
- When the berries have softened and released their juices, place about 3 tablespoons of berries and some juice in the bottom of 6 8-oz serving cups. Add 1/4 cup of whipped cream mixture to each and smooth the tops. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon curd and spread over top to the edges. Place about 2 tablespoons of crushed graham crackers on top. Repeat with another whipped cream, lemon curd and graham cracker layer. Top with one more layer of whipped cream mixture. If making ahead, cover each parfait glass with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator. This can be done up to one day ahead.
- Before serving, drizzle remaining berry sauce on top of each parfait.
Notes
- The berry layer is made by macerating berries — this process is done by soaking berries in sugar and liquid, in this case, lemon juice. You can also use balsamic vinegar for an even deeper flavor.
- For the cream filling, I prefer the “Neufchâtel” style cream cheese, but regular cream cheese works well, too.
- If you have a little extra time, try my easy recipe for homemade lemon curd.
- Can I make this in advance? Yes! The separate components can be made a day or two in advance. You can also assemble the parfait cups without the final drizzle of berries and refrigerate it up to a day before, but keep in mind the graham crackers may not be as crunchy.
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
This looks really good please send me the website thank you
Jenns
An amazing sub for the cinnamon graham crackers is…speculoos….(Biscoff in the US?) crumbles….Try it!!
Perfect substitute, Donna! I will definitely try it!
Love this!!! But one question- why low fat cream cheese? Would it work with full fat? Thanks much.
Hi Renee, I used the low fat cream cheese for two reasons – (1) I figure that if I could save total fat content without compromising flavor, that is always a plus and (2) I do like the texture of the Neufchâtel by Philly Cream Cheese – it blends easily and I don’t have to wait long for it to soften. But, of course, if you want to use full fat, that will work. It will be richer and definitely delicious! Hope you enjoy it :)
I found your site on foodblogs.com and thought I’d stop by and check it out. Just subscribed to your feed and can’t wait to see what your next post will be!
I can see this sweet treat will be my next go-to dessert!
Truly and elegant desert….
This looks divine! Also, I love your plaid spoons…where did you get them??
I wish I had the patience to make parfaits – I’d probably end up tossing all of the “layers” into a bowl and going to town!
These parfaits really do look delicious though! Love the cheesecake filling idea!
Just stunning! Thank you for sharing. Your post has whetted my appetite for dessert, and now I need to get creative and make dinner. I hope you have a wonderful start to your week!
I can see how these desserts would get your cooking groove back! I almost feel like running into the kitchen to make this! Looks amazing!
What a beautiful looking dessert. And just in time for spring! Or summer I should say. It was hitting 98 in LA the other day.
I find it harder and harder to cook, period. But preparing dessert is always easy and I have, in fact, been dreaming of something similar (maybe not so pretty, though). What a wonderful, summery cool dessert and so elegant. The flavors are fabulous! You have inspired me!
Love this simple yet elegant enough for company dessert. Glad you enjoyed your trip and are back in your groove.
I already commented..this laptop getting slower and slower!:))
Glad you are back especially with this beautiful dessert..my kids of dessert!
Got to try it!
So glad you’ve got your groove back! These parfaits are gorgeous! Can’t wait for strawberry season here in New England!
haha, yes, were do you start when there’s no foie gras or pork belly! I’ll take one of these beauties – an excellent start IMO :)
What a gorgeous treat! Glad to see you are back in the grove. It can be hard after a few days of indulging!
i kinda know what you are saying about getting your groove back after a weekend of gourmandizing. Sometimes, after reading others’ food blogs, I feel that way – a bit defeated (how can my cooking compare?).
Anyway, I’d love to have a glass of this parfait, please!
How amazing does this look!? The combination of berries, lemon and graham cracker crumbles is making me drool! Haha, love it! [:
Oh Liren, your parfaits look amazing. Especially those strawberries, I could eat a big bowl of them. I’m not so patiently waiting for strawberry season to start here properly as I just adore strawberries, especially when they are perfectly ripe.
Gorgeous! Wish I could come over, because I would like one immediately!
Lemon and Berries are the absolute best combo! I can see why your cooking groove is back! I think this just jump started mine! :)
Oh yum, I’d like a spoonful for breakfast, please!
That looks mega delish!! I love strawberry cheesecakes & parfait anyways ;)
This recipee I will save! The pictures are great too, wanna eat it!