Very Berry Dreamboat Parfaits Food

PATRIOTIC CHEESECAKE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Beat the Neufchatel, yogurt and sour cream with an electric hand mixer until smooth. Stir in the confectioners' sugar and beat again until smooth.
• Combine the crumbled cookies and cereals together in a small bowl.
• Build the parfaits: Place a small spoonful of the cheesecake mixture in the bottom of each of 4 parfait glasses or wine goblets. Add a layer of fruit, followed by a second layer of the cheesecake mixture; top with a layer of the crumbs. Repeat. Arrange a final layer of berries on top, place a decorative dollop of the last of the cheesecake mixture and sprinkle with the crumbs.

YOGURT AND FRUIT PARFAITS

Steps:

• Layer 1/3 cup vanilla yogurt into the bottom each of 4 tall glasses. Combine defrosted strawberries and juice with fresh berries. Alternate layers of fruit and granola with yogurt until glasses are filled to the top. Serve parfaits immediately to keep granola crunchy.

PUMPKIN MOUSSE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Place the rum in a heat-proof bowl and sprinkle with gelatin. Set aside for 10 minutes for the gelatin to soften.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg yolks, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set the bowl of gelatin over a pan of simmering water and cook until the gelatin is clear. Immediately whisk the hot gelatin mixture into the pumpkin mixture. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream and vanilla until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the pumpkin mixture.
• To assemble, spoon some of the pumpkin mixture into parfait glasses, add a layer of whipped cream, then some chopped cookies. Repeat, ending with a third layer of pumpkin. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. To serve, decorate with whipped cream and slivered crystallized ginger.

CHOCOLATE MINT PARFAITS

Steps:

• Using 4 parfait glasses or cocktail glasses, pour 1/2 a shot of creme de menthe into each glass. Top with scoops of mint chocolate ice cream, then drizzle another 1/2 a shot per parfait of creme de menthe over ice cream. Garnish parfaits with mint candy and fresh mint sprigs.