Velvet Acai Pomegranate Cheesecake Parfaits
Indulge your senses with these elegant Velvet Acai Pomegranate Cheesecake Parfaits! Featuring a luscious blend of silky cream cheese infused with zesty lemon and superfood acai, this no-bake dessert is layered with a crunchy graham cracker crust and bursting with fresh pomegranate seeds. The bittersweet cocoa nibs add a delightful crunch, making each bite a harmonious balance of flavors. Perfect for entertaining, these individual parfaits not only look stunning but also pack a nutritional punch, ensuring your guests will be impressed with both their taste and health benefits.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Becel salted stick
1/4 (melted)
Graham cracker crumbs
1 cup (none)
Light cream cheese
2 cups (at room temperature)
Lemon
1 (juice and zest)
Condensed milk
150 ml (1/2 can)
Acai powder
1 tablespoon (none)
Pomegranate
1 (seeded)
Organic cocoa nibs
1/2 cup (none)
Instructions
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1. Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the melted Becel and graham cracker crumbs, mixing thoroughly until the crumbs are well-coated.
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2. Transfer the crust mixture to a non-stick baking sheet and spread it out evenly. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes until the crumbs are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool.
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3. While the crust cools, prepare the cheesecake filling. In a stand mixer, combine the light cream cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and condensed milk. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
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4. Gradually add the acai powder into the cream cheese mixture, mixing until well incorporated.
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5. Use a spatula to transfer the cheesecake mixture into a piping bag for easy assembly.
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6. For assembly, take small glasses or mason jars and add a few tablespoons of the cooled graham cracker crust at the bottom of each jar. Pipe in about 1.5 inches (4 cm) of the cheesecake filling on top of the crust.
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7. Sprinkle a generous layer of pomegranate seeds on top of the cream cheese filling, followed by a light pinch of the graham cracker crumbs.
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8. Repeat the layering process with another layer of cheesecake filling and finish with more pomegranate seeds and a sprinkle of cocoa nibs for garnish.
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9. Repeat the layering until all jars are filled. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results, before serving. Enjoy your delightful parfaits!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Velvet Acai Pomegranate Cheesecake Parfaits?
They are an elegant dessert featuring layers of silky acai-infused cream cheese, crunchy graham cracker crust, and fresh pomegranate seeds.
Is this a no-bake recipe?
Mostly; the cheesecake filling is no-bake, but the graham cracker crust crumbs are baked for a few minutes to achieve a golden crunch.
What temperature should I bake the crust?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) before baking the crust mixture.
How long does the crust need to bake?
The graham cracker crumbs should be baked for 5 to 8 minutes until they are golden brown.
What is in the cheesecake filling?
The filling is made of light cream cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, condensed milk, and acai powder.
How do I prepare the cheesecake mixture?
Combine light cream cheese, lemon, and condensed milk in a stand mixer and beat on medium speed until smooth, then gradually mix in acai powder.
What kind of cream cheese should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of light cream cheese at room temperature.
How is the acai incorporated?
One tablespoon of acai powder is gradually added to the beaten cream cheese mixture.
What is the best way to assemble the jars?
Transfer the cheesecake mixture into a piping bag to easily layer it into small glasses or mason jars.
How thick should each cheesecake layer be?
It is recommended to pipe about 1.5 inches (4 cm) of cheesecake filling on top of each crust layer.
What ingredients are used for the crust?
The crust consists of 1/4 of a melted Becel salted stick and 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs.
What should I use for garnishing?
The parfaits are garnished with fresh pomegranate seeds and bittersweet organic cocoa nibs.
How long should these parfaits be refrigerated?
Refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for the best results, before serving.
Can I use a different fruit?
While the recipe specifies pomegranate for its nutritional punch and flavor, you could experiment with other fresh berries.
What is the role of condensed milk?
150 ml (about half a can) of condensed milk is used to sweeten and thicken the cheesecake filling.
What flavor does the lemon add?
One lemon provides juice and zest to give the cheesecake a zesty, bright flavor balance.
How many pomegranates are needed?
The recipe requires one whole pomegranate, seeded.
What are cocoa nibs?
Cocoa nibs are small pieces of crushed cacao beans that add a bittersweet flavor and delightful crunch.
How much cocoa nibs should I add?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of organic cocoa nibs for the final garnishing layer.
Are these parfaits suitable for entertaining?
Yes, they look stunning in individual glasses and are perfect for serving guests at parties.
How do I ensure the crust isn't soggy?
Baking the crumbs and allowing them to cool completely before assembly helps maintain their crunch.
Do I need a stand mixer?
A stand mixer helps achieve a smooth, creamy texture, though a hand mixer can also be used.
What can I use if I don't have a piping bag?
You can use a spatula or a spoon to layer the mixture, though a piping bag provides a cleaner look.
Is this dessert considered healthy?
It is described as a healthy dessert because it uses light cream cheese and superfoods like acai and pomegranate.
How do I layer the pomegranate?
Add a generous layer of pomegranate seeds on top of each cream cheese layer during assembly.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 8 main ingredients used in this recipe.
Can I use regular salted butter?
The recipe specifies a Becel salted stick, but a similar salted butter substitute can be used for the crust.
Should the jars be covered while refrigerating?
Yes, covering the jars while they chill helps maintain freshness and prevents them from absorbing other fridge odors.
What is the texture of the finished parfait?
The texture is a mix of silky cream cheese, crunchy baked graham crumbs, and juicy fruit seeds.
Can I prepare this overnight?
Yes, refrigerating the parfaits overnight is recommended for the best flavor integration.