Raspberries and Cream Parfait

Raspberries and Cream Parfait

A dessert that will have you feeling refreshed during that warm summer day. The whipped cream is a delightful airy lightly sweetened vanilla flavor coupled with tart raspberries. When making the whipped cream at home you get the ability to adjust the level of sweetness. Instead of utilizing the traditional red raspberries, mix the colors up for an untraditional look.

Ingredient Choice

Raspberries: Tartness coupled with its sweetness bring balance with the whipped cream. Fresh raspberries keep the dessert light and airy. Rather than turning it into a puree and weighing it down.

Cream: Heavy whipping cream contains more than 36% milkfat and helps create those voluptuous strong peaks.

Vanilla bean:  Instead of using pure vanilla extract, Watkins pure vanilla bean paste with seed was used for visible appearance giving a specked look to the whipped cream. And it adds a light vanilla flavor.

Sugar: Domino brand granulated cane was utilized for this recipe.

Raspberries and Cream Parfait

A light airy sweet yet tart dessert that will have you feeling refreshed during a warm summer day.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Mixing Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons pure vanilla bean paste with seeds
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 6 ounces fresh raspberries

Instructions
 

  • Place a mixing bowl and utensils in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
  • Remove bowl from freezer and sit it on a bowl filled with¼ level of ice. Then add heavy whipping cream, vanilla bean paste, and sugar to chill mixing bowl.
  • Hand mix with a whisk for 10 minutes or a hand-held electric mixer for 2 minutes on medium-high speed. Make sure to occasionally scrape down sides with a rubber spatula to fully incorporate. Continue mixing, the cream should reach stiff peaks.
  • Distribute raspberries on the bottom of glasses. Dollop 2 tablespoons of cream on top. Add another layer of raspberries. Then add the last layer, 2 tablespoons of cream. Add one or two raspberries to top off your dessert for some added visual appeal.
  • Serve right away or refrigerate for up to 2 hours prior to serving.

Notes

  • Parfait can be assembled 2 hours in advance. The trick is to use semi frozen raspberries when assembling so far in advance.
  • Frozen raspberries that have been thawed can be used in place of fresh raspberries.
  • Make sure the ingredients, mixing bowl, and utensils are chilled. If warm it can destroy the cream's texture.
  • Use a stand mixer with whisk attachment for large batches.

Fun Fact

According to Science Direct….

  • The cultivation of raspberries dates back to 450 years in Europe.
  • There are four colors of raspberries black and red being the most common, along with purple (a hybrid of black and red variant) and yellow (mutations from the red variant).
  • A single raspberry’s weight size can range from 1 gram to 5 grams.
  • Russia happens to be the top producer of raspberries.
  • Ripening phases: 1st is rapid cell division, 2nd is slowdown of cell division, and the 3rd is rapid cell growth. Each phase lasts for a duration of 10 to 12 days.

Nutrients

Raspberries happen to contain vitamin A (beta caretone), B vitamin (brain and skin health), vitamin B1 (thiamine; converts food to fuel the body), vitamin B2 (riboflavin; reduces nerve inflammation), vitamin C (healing properties), vitamin E (brain, reproduction, skin, vision health), and vitamin PP (niacin; reduce artery-clogging). It contains other chemical compounds such as anthocyanins and ellagitannins. Making it a healthy addition to your diet.

Where To Purchase Items

You can find fresh raspberries all year round at almost any local food market or farmer’s market. There are 6-ounce packages for approximately $4.75 and 12 ounces for $7. Due to their short shelf life, there are frozen raspberries available for purchase.

Heavy whipping cream may be a little less accessible. It can be purchased for around $4 for a 1-pint container. If your local market is out, check other place such as Walmart.com, Target.com and have the item delivered to you.

Pure vanilla bean paste can be purchased for about $12 for 2-ounce bottle. If unable to locate at your local market check out Instacart.com or Walmart.com.

So, how can you pass up this delightful refreshing treat? Nutrient packing tart yet sweet fruit. Use a handheld mixer or throw some arm strength into whipping action. Explore the ingredient choices and dive into where to purchase. And find out some fun facts along the way.