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Chocolate Cheesecake Parfaits

4.84 from 6 votes
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Published February 12, 2014 - Last Updated August 13, 2018

Chocolate Cheesecake Parfaits - A simple and decadent dessert recipe made with dark chocolate, ricotta and Greek yogurt. Fast, easy and delish!

Chocolate Cheesecake Parfaits – A simple and decadent dessert recipe made with dark chocolate, ricotta and Greek yogurt. Fast, easy and delish!

Throughout history chocolate has played many roles, most notably as a symbolic aphrodisiac. Cacao bean pods, the source of chocolate, grow on Theobroma cacao trees, which translates to “cacao, food of the gods.” The Aztecs and Maya used the beans found within the pods as a form of currency. The Maya were known to exchange a few beans for a night of passion at the brothel, while the Aztec emperor Montezuma is rumored to have consumed 50 cups of chocolate each day in order to satisfy his many, many wives. Anybody who has read the memoirs of the notorious Italian lover Casanova can’t help but notice his addiction to chocolate. He starts each day with a cup of chocolate for breakfast; it is comical to see the amount of times chocolate is mentioned during his escapades. He must have needed quite a bit of chocolate in order to sustain his lustful exploits!

So what are chocolate’s passion-inducing qualities? Scientists have narrowed it down to two key components – phenethylamine and tryptophan. The former is a stimulant that is released in the brain when we fall in love, while the latter helps to produce serotonin, a brain chemical associated with elevated moods and sexual arousal. In addition to all of this, chocolate makes for a very satisfying dessert.

On Valentine’s Day, sweet and decadent chocolate reigns supreme. These simple, elegant and tempting Chocolate Cheesecake Parfaits are a perfect way to set the mood. Make them with lowfat ricotta and lowfat Greek yogurt to lighten things up, or use full fat dairy for a more luscious treat. Enjoy!

Recommended Products:

Double Boiler

Mixing Bowls

Parfait Glasses

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Chocolate Cheesecake Parfaits - A simple and decadent dessert recipe made with dark chocolate, ricotta and Greek yogurt. Fast, easy and delish!

Chocolate Cheesecake Parfaits - Simple and Decadent Dessert Recipe by Tori Avey

Chocolate Cheesecake Parfaits

4.84 from 6 votes
Servings
8 servings
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
3 hours
Kosher Key
Dairy
Print Recipe

Description

A simple and decadent dessert recipe for Chocolate Cheesecake Parfaits made with dark chocolate, ricotta and Greek yogurt. Fast, easy and delish!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
  • 7 tbsp sugar (divided)
  • 1/4 cup whole or lowfat milk
  • 2 tbsp amaretto or Grand Marnier (optional)
  • 1/8 tsp kosher salt (heaping)
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese (lowfat ok)
  • 8 oz Greek yogurt (lowfat ok)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups chocolate cookies, crushed
  • Chocolate shavings or sliced strawberries for garnish
  • 1 cup sliced almonds for garnish (optional)
US Customary - Metric

Recipe Notes

You will also need: double boiler, stand mixer or hand mixer, mixing bowls, food processor or plastic storage bag and rolling pin, 8 parfait cups

Instructions

  1. In a double-boiler combine chocolate chips, 6 tbsp sugar, milk, almond liqueur and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring regularly until the mixture is smooth.

    Melting chocolate chips in a double boiler.

  2. Combine ricotta, Greek yogurt and vanilla in a stand mixer or large mixing bowl and whip until thoroughly combined.

    Whipping ricotta in a mixer.

  3. While the chocolate mixture is warm, but not hot, slowly pour it into the cheese mixture while whisking. Beat until everything is incorporated, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

    Mixing melted chocolate into ricotta cheese.

  4. Crush the chocolate cookies in a food processor or place them in a plastic storage bag and crush with a rolling pin.

    Crushing chocolate cookies in a bag with a rolling pin.

  5. In a medium mixing bowl, whip together heavy cream and 1 tbsp sugar until stiff peaks form.

  6. To assemble: Place 2 tbsp of the cookies in the bottom of 8 parfait cups.  

    Adding crushed cookies to parfait cups.

  7. Evenly distribute the chocolate cheesecake mixture between the cups.

    Adding chocolate cheesecake mixture to parfait cups.

  8. Top with an additional 2 tbsp of the crushed cookies.

    Adding crushed cookies to parfait cups.

  9. Divide the whipped cream evenly between the 8 cups to top the parfaits.

    Topping parfait cups with whipped cream.

  10. Garnish each parfait with chocolate shavings, sliced almonds, a sliced strawberry and/or any fruit of your choosing. Chill for at least 3 hours before serving.

    Chocolate Cheesecake Parfaits - Simple and Decadent Dessert Recipe by Tori Avey
Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Cheesecake Parfaits
Amount Per Serving
Calories 650 Calories from Fat 351
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 39g 60%
Saturated Fat 22g 110%
Cholesterol 70mg 23%
Sodium 335mg 14%
Potassium 495mg 14%
Total Carbohydrates 57g 19%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Sugars 33g
Protein 17g 34%
Vitamin A 13.7%
Vitamin C 0.4%
Calcium 31.6%
Iron 12.6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

About Tori Avey

Thanks for stopping by! I am fascinated by the story behind the food – why we eat what we eat, how the foods of different cultures have evolved, and how yesterday’s food can inspire us in the kitchen today. Read more...

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Comments

  3. Susan says

    September 17, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    Just wanted to know if there is any way to make this recipe in a serving dish instead of individual servings. I wanted to bring it to a holiday dinner that I am not hosting. Sounds delicious. Thanks

    Reply

    • Ashley at ToriAvey.com says

      September 18, 2017 at 9:21 am

      Hi Susan, Tori’s assistant Ashley here. You can certainly make this in a large dish, though it won’t look quite as nice when you serve it. If presentation isn’t a concern, I say go for it.

    • Ashley at ToriAvey.com says

      June 12, 2017 at 7:16 am

      Hi Lucia, Tori’s assistant Ashley here. Yes, you can make these the night before, but I would wait to garnish until just before serving.

  5. Eva P. says

    January 14, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    I would like to make this yummy looking dessert for my husband’s upcoming b-day. Was just curious to know…what dark chocolate chips did you use for this dessert and could you substitute the ricotta cheese with Neufchâtel?
    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Tori Avey says

      January 16, 2017 at 11:52 am

      I would not recommend substituting the ricotta for Neufchâtel, they are two totally different textures and your prafaits will turn out heavy and overly rich. Any brand of dark chocolate chips will work; Ghirardelli are particularly nice. 🙂

  7. Sabrina says

    June 25, 2016 at 7:01 am

    Yummy and easy recipe, that looks like you spent much more time on than you really did. I made these delicious parfaits for a dinner party dessert. They were a hit! I used a little less sugar in the chocolate mx. Next time I think I will leave out the second layer of cookies on top so the whip cream will be easier to spread. Thank you Tori Avey!

    Reply

  10. Ruth Boydell says

    May 14, 2014 at 12:16 am

    I love this recipe! It is quick to make and sooo delicious! I use a bit less sugar and leave out the cookies for a fabulous gluten-free option!! thanks!

    Reply

    • Tori Avey says

      February 16, 2014 at 1:52 pm

      Hi Barbara, I do not recommend regular yogurt as it won’t give you the proper texture here, and it is also much tarter than Greek yogurt. I recommend plain Greek yogurt in this recipe for the best flavor and texture. Enjoy!

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