These gorgeous deconstructed strawberry cheesecake parfaits have all the flavour of a cheesecake without all the hassle. As easy to make as they are to eat!
I know it’s winter here in Australia, and we’re all craving lovely warming puddings, but yesterday was such a lovely day.
Despite the cold morning, you could have been forgiven for thinking it was summer, so I decided I wanted to celebrate it with these beautiful Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits.
I’ve not so patiently been waiting for strawberry season to start here in Queensland, and when we were driving home from the Noosa Food and Wine festival on the weekend and I saw one of the strawberry farms open I just had to get some. I didn’t have a plan for what I’d make with the strawberries, I’d just been craving strawberries for so long I was a bit like a child in a lolly shop and ended up buying 1 kilogram of strawberries. With half chopped and tucked away in the freezer for a future recipe, I sliced the remaining fresh strawberries for my Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits.
I ended up buying 1 kilogram of strawberries. With half chopped and tucked away in the freezer for a future recipe, I sliced the remaining fresh strawberries for my Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits.
These strawberry cheesecake parfaits are easy to assemble, and if you don’t feel like going to the trouble of making a crumble feel free to substitute in crushed biscuits or granola you might already have squirrelled away in the cupboard. But given it is winter, and crumbles are my favourite winter dessert I just couldn’t resist the allure of the combination of smooth creamy cheesecake and crunchy crumble.
Enjoy!
Strawberry Cheesecake Parfait
Ingredients
- STRAWBERRY SYRUP:
- 150 g of caster sugar
- 60 ml of water
- 4 large strawberries diced
- CRUMBLE:
- 1/3 cup of plain flour
- 60 g of butter chopped
- 2 tbs of brown sugar
- 1 tbs of white sugar
- 3 tbs of rolled oats
- 2 tbs of flaked almonds
- MACERATED STRAWBERRIES:
- 400 g of strawberries sliced
- 1 tbs of sugar
- 2 tsp of Cointreau optional
- CHEESECAKE:
- 400 g of cream cheese
- 250 g of mascarpone cheese
- Strawberry syrup
Instructions
- Begin by making the crumble. Preheat the oven to 180 celsius (350 fahrenheit). In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment combine all of the ingredients and turn on to the lowest speed. Mix until the butter resembles the size of peas. Pour the mixture onto a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Set aside to cool and use your fingers to crumble the mixture. Store in a container until ready to use.
- For the strawberries combine the sliced strawberries, sugar and cointreau in a bowl and cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours.
- To make the strawberry syrup place a smal saucepan over a medium heat and add the sugar and water and stir until the sugar is disolved. Bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the strawberries. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes to infuse before blending in a food processor.
- To make the cheesecake place the cream cheese, mascarpone and strawberry syrup in a food processor and process until smooth.
- To assemble alternately layer the macerated strawberries (along with some of the syrup from the strawberries) with the cheesecake mixture followed by the crumble mixture ending with the cheesecake mixture. Top with extra strawberries to decorate.
- Serve immediately if you'd like the crumble to remain crunchy.
May says
December 31, 2015 at 12:32 pmCan this recipe become a cheesecake cake slice instead of being in a cup like a parfait? i tried this recipe with the parfait cup and I am in love with it! I refrigerate the cream (mix with mascarpone cheese and cream cheese) for about 3 hours and its somewhat firm. Wonder have you made it in a cheesecake cake.. not sure if you get me lol please let me know. Thank you!
Nicole @ Delicious Everyday says
January 1, 2016 at 3:47 pmI haven’t tried making into a slice. It might work if you leave it in the fridge to set overnight, but I haven’t tried i. If you do decide to give it a go I’d love to hear how it turns out 😀
Tara says
April 3, 2014 at 12:47 pmThese were absolutely delicious! I love each of the components. Will definitely make again
Jennifer says
April 3, 2014 at 5:36 pmI’m so glad you enjoyed them. I love strawberries 😀
sophistimom says
June 14, 2012 at 6:24 amOooh, and I love these, too. What a great idea to make just a crumble by itself to go in the parfait. You’ve inspired me.
Laura says
May 29, 2012 at 5:23 pmAt the end of last year I started growing strawberries (with only a little success as I was a bit late for strawberry season!) I’m hoping to have a bit more luck this year and would love to make these!
la fourmi élé says
May 29, 2012 at 4:58 pmIt’s just wonderful, perfect and looks really really good.
Pictures are incredible!
balvinder ( Neetu) says
May 29, 2012 at 11:09 amWhen I crave for something I just do not care about what weather it is. This is a yummy parfait with awe some flavors of mascarpone, crumble and macerated strawberries.
Jen Laceda @ Tartine and Apron Strings says
May 27, 2012 at 12:33 pmAmazing! This is something I’d like to try because it seems so easy 🙂 but yields a sophisticated product! By the way, just a quick question. So it’s spring here in the northern hemisphere and also strawberry season. When do you get strawberry season over there? During YOUR spring or during OUR Spring (your autumn)? Hehe, sorry if it seems like a stupid question…
delicieux says
May 27, 2012 at 3:34 pmHi Jen,
It’s not a stupid question at all. Strawberry season differs around Australia, as I imagine it would in the US too. I’m in Queensland, which gets very hot during summer, with it getting as hot as 40 degrees celsius (around 104 Fahrenheit), so our strawberry season runs from June (winter) to November (spring). In Tasmania, because it’s quite a lot colder than the rest of the country their strawberry season is in summer. This website shows the calendar of strawberry seasons around Australia http://www.strawberriesaustralia.com.au/6860050/strawberries-australia-facts-figures.htm
Liren says
May 27, 2012 at 3:58 amFor some reason, I thought I already left a comment but I am back to say that I just love these gorgeous parfaits! So beautiful and I do believe the crumble might be my favorite part. Well, alright, I love it all 🙂 Wishing you a lovely weekend!
delicieux says
May 28, 2012 at 1:58 pmHi Liren,
You already had a comment that I approved for this post, but thanks for commenting twice 😀
Jharna says
May 26, 2012 at 8:41 pmThis recipe looks so good and your pictures are just amazing!
myfudo says
May 26, 2012 at 3:50 pmAnything with strawberries will always be a treat for me and my family. We have always been counting the days till strawberry season. This is a lovely dessert! Yum!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
May 25, 2012 at 7:49 pmLove that combination of fresh strawberries and cream and this is a very elegant version of that classic combination!
delicieux says
May 27, 2012 at 3:36 pmThanks Sylvie 😀
Baker Street says
May 25, 2012 at 1:55 amNow that looks like its been custom made for me! LOVE everything about this dessert. 🙂
delicieux says
May 25, 2012 at 9:34 amThanks 😀 It was pretty good. In fact my fiance insisted I make them again for dessert tonight.
Anna @The Littlest Anchovy says
May 25, 2012 at 12:19 pmThese look lovely. Such beautiful layers of strawberry goodness. You are so lucky to have them in season up there!
kankana says
May 25, 2012 at 7:44 amI love strawberries any time of the year and the same with parfait 🙂
delicieux says
May 25, 2012 at 9:33 amGlad I’m not the only one 😀
gina_at_cateror says
May 25, 2012 at 3:31 amWhat a beautiful, simple, and wonderful dessert idea! Perfect for a “do it yourself” dessert table, too. Thank you for sharing!
Lauren @Part Time House Wife says
May 24, 2012 at 5:01 pmYour pictures are stunning! This looks incredible! I love strawberries in any dessert but especially desserts with cheesecake in their title!
delicieux says
May 25, 2012 at 9:34 amThank you so much Lauren 😀
Liren says
May 24, 2012 at 3:46 pmOk, where’s my spoon? Just beautiful! Love the crumble 🙂
cc11 says
May 24, 2012 at 11:35 amIt was a gorgeous day yesterday – I wish there were strawberries atm here in Vic – been dying for the Winter ones to come in! The parfaits are adorable
delicieux says
May 25, 2012 at 9:35 amIt’s been quite unseasonably warm for winter hasn’t it. At least it’s a great excuse to enjoy summerlike desserts 😀
K-bobo @ Gormandize with A-dizzle & K-bobo says
May 24, 2012 at 9:57 amThese look gorgeous Jennifer! I wish I had one right now!
Katie @ Epicurean Mom says
May 24, 2012 at 6:14 amLOVE these Jennifer! SO summery and fun!!
Thanh @ eat, little bird says
May 24, 2012 at 2:35 amThese look like they would be great for a dinner party dessert! I’m patiently waiting for my strawberries to grow on the balcony … there seems to be a small handful which might be ripe by next week 🙂
delicieux says
May 25, 2012 at 9:37 amThanh, I’m sure this would taste even better with strawberries you grew yourself. I’d love to grow my own strawberries but I’m a bit of a brown thumb. My latest victim is my parsley which I managed to kill the other week 🙁
[email protected] says
May 23, 2012 at 12:18 pmOoh macerated in Cointreau – looks delish 🙂
Amanda says
May 24, 2012 at 12:16 amI can’t get used to the difference in seasons in Australia. I had no idea strawberries grew in winter in Queensland – they are a summer crop here in the south, so it will be a while before I can try out this delicious treat. Still, I’m thinking frozen berries might just do the trick for me.
delicieux says
May 25, 2012 at 9:39 amI can’t get used to the different strawberry growing seasons here in Australia either. I was feeling tortured when my Mum was telling me about the strawberries they were getting in Tasmania and was getting so impatient for the season to start here. I’m so glad it finally has, although the season officially starts in June.
beti says
May 24, 2012 at 12:12 amthis is definetly my type of dessert, so easy yet fresh and delicious
Carole says
May 24, 2012 at 12:05 amLooks and sounds wonderful! Strawberries are in season here too, but it’s springtime. 🙂
delicieux says
May 25, 2012 at 9:39 amMmm this would be great with spring strawberries. 😀
Asmita says
May 23, 2012 at 10:50 pmWhat a fantastic dessert! Would love to eat this right away!
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says
May 23, 2012 at 10:47 pmI thought all the farms up here didn’t open up til June. I’m jealous you found one in my back yard and I haven’t done it yet.
I’ve got the jam jars all ready to go.
These parfaits are brilliant!
delicieux says
May 25, 2012 at 9:41 amHi Maureen,
You’re right, the season doesn’t officially start until June, but I managed to find one farm open. I’m planning on making homemade strawberry jam this strawberry season too. 😀
thelittleloaf says
May 23, 2012 at 9:56 pmLucky for me we’re just moving into summer in the UK so this pudding is absolutely perfect! Yum.
Choc Chip Uru says
May 23, 2012 at 8:22 pmWinter or summer a food dessert is always craved for my friend 😀
This looks amazing!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
May 23, 2012 at 7:43 pmHi Jen! So pretty! It may be winter for you but here we appreciate this kind of refreshing delicious dessert! Your photography is stunning as always and I get so much inspiration from you!
delicieux says
May 25, 2012 at 9:41 amAwww Nami, you are far too kind. I think your photography is just stunning! 😀
jenny wright says
May 23, 2012 at 6:45 pmyum! i didn’t realise you could freeze strawberries?! i love my freezer and freeze heaps of things but never thought of doing strawberries. although it does make sense, i use frozen raspberries!
i am heading up that way next week. i think i might have to stop there and pick some up too.
Dee says
May 23, 2012 at 5:28 pmYour parfaits look delicious. Can I have a spoon please? 🙂
Rosa says
May 23, 2012 at 3:32 pmA divine dessert! I’d love to dig into that verrine right now… 🙂
Cheers,
Rosa
Lizzy (Good Things) says
May 23, 2012 at 2:56 pmI think every season is a good season to enjoy strawberries Jennifer. A beautiful recipe xox
Simone says
May 23, 2012 at 2:39 pmGorgeous!! Strawberry season has started here as well and I do eat them a lot but trying to loose weight so not combining them into this dessert yet!! Keeping it for a later date!!
[email protected] at Marina says
May 23, 2012 at 1:13 pmOh How beautiful it is! And from the photo you can’t even tell it’s winter down under… 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
May 23, 2012 at 12:42 pmYour parfaits are so pretty! I always buy more strawberries than I can use at one time – thanks for another sweet way to use them :).
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
May 23, 2012 at 12:12 pmOh Jen I didn’t know that strawberry season had started already. How exciting! I think I miss them the most out of all the fruits when they’re not in season. This looks delicious.