Ricotta And Summer Berry Parfaits

Summer just got sweeter! Layering creamy ricotta, juicy summer berries, and a drizzle of honey, these parfaits are the perfect warm-weather treat. Easy to assemble and beautifully presented, these petite desserts are sure to impress at your next gathering or potluck.

Ready Time

30 mins

Yields

9 servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup kosher salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons honey
3 cups mixed summer berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
9 small cups or glasses for assembling parfaits
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, and kosher salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot but not boiling.

Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Let the mixture cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

In a blender or food processor, combine the cooled cream mixture and ricotta cheese.

Blend until smooth and creamy. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and 2 tablespoons of the cooled cream mixture until smooth.

In a separate bowl, wash and pat dry the mixed summer berries.

To assemble the parfaits, spoon a layer of the ricotta mixture into the bottom of each of the 9 small cups or glasses. Top with a layer of summer berries, then drizzle with a small amount of the honey cream mixture.

Repeat the layers two more times, ending with a layer of the ricotta mixture on top.

Dust the tops of the parfaits with confectioners’ sugar and serve chilled.

Notes

For the cream mixture, make sure to heat it to a point where the sugar has dissolved, but it’s not boiling. You want it to be hot, but not scorching hot.

Let the cream mixture cool down completely before refrigerating it, as you want it to chill thoroughly before blending it with the ricotta cheese.

When blending the cream mixture with the ricotta cheese, make sure to blend until it’s smooth and creamy. You don’t want any lumps or chunks in there! Don’t overmix the honey with the cream mixture, you just want it to be smooth and combined.

Pat the summer berries dry with a paper towel before assembling the parfaits, you don’t want excess moisture in there.

Feel free to get creative with the layers! You can do two layers, three layers, or as many as you want. Just remember to end with a layer of the ricotta mixture on top.