After testing this Calzone Grilled Cheese recipe last week, I had some leftover ricotta, so I thought I would make something sweet with it. I came up with these almond raspberry ricotta parfaits and they are soooo good! And ridiculously easy! This recipe only has five ingredients and takes about ten minutes to put together. So if you need a quick recipe for date night (this recipe makes two parfaits!) or just want a delicious dessert to enjoy on the couch after a long day at work, this one is for you!
Parfait Ingredients and Techniques:
Ricotta cheese, sugar, heavy cream, almonds and raspberries. That’s all you need to make this decadent and gorgeous dessert! While the ingredients are basic, there are a couple steps that elevate the flavors and textures above just layering ingredients in a glass.
Whipped cream is gently folded into the sweetened ricotta to lighten the cheese and give it a smoother, fluffier texture. And the sliced almonds are toasted in a dry pan for a few minutes to bring out more of their nutty flavor and crunchy texture. Finally, the raspberries are mixed with sugar and then, just ever so lightly, mushed a bit! This brings out their natural juices and gives the fruit a bit of a jammy texture.
Here is a tip for making the whipped cream with as little fuss as possible: use a stick (aka immersion) blender. Because this recipe only uses half a cup of cream, this is so much easier than trying to use a stand mixer or beaters. Just measure out your heavy cream in a liquid measuring cup and dunk the stick blender right in and whir! You will have stiff peaks in less than a minute. If you don’t have a stick blender, you can try using a small blender or food processor. If all else fails, you can just shake the cream in a jar with a tightly fitting lid!
Parfait Ingredient Substitution Ideas:
This almond and raspberry ricotta parfait recipe is also super flexible. Don’t have raspberries in your grocery store this week? Substitute sliced strawberries, blackberries, or even mango! And if you don’t like or don’t have sliced almonds on hand, try chopped pistachios or macadamia nuts. (Or mini chocolate chips! Or crushed cookies!)
I hope you like this easy, fast (yet decadent!) recipe. If you try it please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!
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PinDescription
These creamy, dreamy almond raspberry ricotta parfaits are made with five basic ingredients and are ready to eat in about ten minutes!
Ingredients
- 1/4 c. sliced almonds
- 6 oz. fresh raspberries
- 5 tbsp. sugar, divided
- 1/2 c. ricotta cheese
- 1/2 c. heavy cream
Instructions
1. Add almonds to a dry pan over medium heat. Stir occasionally for a few minutes, until the almonds are fragrant and slightly browned. While the almonds are toasting, add 2 tbsp. of the sugar to the raspberries. Stir in the sugar and press down on the berries with the back of the spoon. Some should be slightly crushed and some should remain whole. Stir again gently until the sugar begins to dissolve. Let sit while prepping the remaining steps.
2. When the almonds are toasted, remove from the pan and let cool while prepping the remaining steps.
3. In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese and remaining 3 tbsp. sugar. Stir to combine until ricotta is smooth.
4. Whip heavy cream into stiff peaks using a stick blender placed directly in the cup used to measure the cream (see note). Fold whipped cream gently into the ricotta cheese until mostly combined (do not over mix).
5. If there are still some sugar crystals remaining in the raspberry mixture, give it a final stir. Next layer the parfait ingredients into two small glasses, starting with raspberries, then ricotta cheese, then almonds. Repeat the layers one more time, reserving a small amount of raspberries to top the parfaits. Serve immediately.
Notes
If you don’t have a stick blender, use a small food processor or blender, or shake the cream vigorously in a small jar with a tight fitting lid.
Keywords: parfait, raspberry, almond, ricotta, cream
Rachel
This is one of those go-to recipes because it is beautiful and simple yet so delicious! I also LOVE the immersion blender trick for making whipped cream. Genius!
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks Rachel, I’m so glad you like the recipe!
Danielle Wolter
i am totally going to try the immersion blender trick. what a great idea. this is the perfect dessert for a warm summer day!
★★★★★
Kate
Yes no need to turn on the oven so these are perfect for summer! Thanks Danielle for your comment! š
Stefani @ Natural Paleo Family
Oh my, these look incredible! I absolutely love parfaits, because I can usually always find a way to make them work with our strict diet. I have got to make these!
★★★★★
Kate
Yes parfaits are so versatile and easy to make! I’m glad you liked the recipe š
Patti
I love the combination of raspberries and almonds, so this recipe caught my attention. I love the tip about using the stick blender to whip cream. I will definitely be using that once often.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you Patti, I’m glad you liked the recipe!
kallee
What a great dessert or treat. Raspberries are my favorite berry.
★★★★★
Kate
I love raspberries too! Looking forward to more great berries now that we’re heading into summer š
Linda
Ten minutes to make these creamy comforting desserts? Count me in, please.
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks Linda! Sometimes you just need dessert right away!
Kelly Anthony
Almond raspberry ricotta parfaits sound SO good and I love how easy they are. Ricotta is one of my favorite cheeses. Can’t wait to try it out! Perfect for summer brunches š
Kate
Thanks Kelly! Yes I think these would be good for a summer brunch, and the recipe would be easy to double or triple if you need to make it for a bigger group!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
Love that these are easy to pull together, and work with other types of berries! Raspberries are hit or miss around here sometimes, but blackberries are always available. These would be a big hit at some of our upcoming spring gatherings!
★★★★★
Kate
Ooo blackberries would be so good with this! Yes, raspberries can be hit or miss here (in the grocery store anyways).
Amy
Now THIS is a dessert! š I’m totally loving how flexible the recipe is — you could have this all the time and never get bored! The immersion blender trick is also super helpful! Will totally be giving it a try!
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks Amy, I’m glad you like the recipe!
Charity
Such an easy, decadent idea! I’m sure the ricotta adds so much richness to these parfaits!
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks Charity!
Markus Mueller
Raspberries are my daughters favourite berry, she will absolutely love these! I love making oarfaits for breakfast because they are quick, easy, and look like a dessert, even when they are actually quite healthy(..well they can be anyway). Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Kate
Yes my daughter loves raspberries too! She loved this recipe so hopefully your daughter will too š
Karyl Henry
Oh these parfaits look so delicious! And I love how easy it is to substitute other fruits. I’ve never made homemade whipped cream, but it looks so simple…I do think I need s stick blender to make the work easier though
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks Karyl! And yes the stick blender makes it much easier, especially when you are making such a small amount.
GUNJAN C Dudani
I am so intrigued with the combination of raspberry with ricotta. I love the photography. It makes me drool over this parfait recipe. it could be my dessert for tomorrow. I will get the ingredients today itself.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you Gunjan I’m glad you like the recipe!