These Cranberry Curd Parfaits utilize elements you might already be preparing for your holiday meal. Layers of cranberry wine sauce mingle with creamy cranberry curd and fluffy whipped cream and are brought together with the crunch of an almond-flavored cookie.
Amaretti or almond cookiesstore bought is fine, crumbled
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Instructions
Make the Cranberry Wine Sauce:
Combine the cranberries, wine, and sugar in a small saucepan and place over medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil, stir, then lower heat to a simmer, and let it cook for about 5-10 minutes or until the cranberries have all popped. Transfer to a glass jar and cool completely. This can be done a few days in advance.
Make the Cranberry Curd :
In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries and water, cover, and place over medium heat. Cook until the cranberries pop and the liquid bubbles. Pass the cranberries through a strainer, pressing well with a spoon.
Be sure to scrape all the lovely red puree on the underside of the strainer into the bowl to use. Pour the cranberry puree back into the saucepan and set aside. Let it cool for a few minutes.
Whisk together the egg yolks and egg until combined. While whisking, pour in sugar and whisk until a light yellow color. Add the egg mixture to the cranberry puree in the sauce pan. Continue whisking until creamy and well incorporated, about one minute. Place over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the custard thickens and can coat the back of a wooden spoon, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the butter, one cube at a time. Strain into a bowl or jar, cover surface with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This can be done several days in advance.
Make the Whipped Cream:
In a cold mixer bowl (I like to put my mixer bowl and whisk in the freezer beforehand), whisk ingredients until soft peaks form. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use. This can be done a couple days in advance.
Assemble the Parfaits:
In serving glasses, spoon in the cranberry wine sauce, a layer of whipped cream, cranberry curd, and crumbled cookies. Repeat the layers ending with whipped cream and serve with an additional whole cookie.
Notes
Make it ahead: This recipe is an excellent candidate to make ahead. All of the elements can be made a few days in advance (see notes within recipe) and then assembled before serving.