easy cheesecake parfaits

(2 ratings)
Recipe by
C G
Vallèe du Willamette, OR

I've had this recipe in my recipe box for close to 30 years (source unknown). The problem I've experienced preparing this is that the pie never "firmed up" satisfactorily. I decided instead of giving up I would change the recipe from a pie to a parfait. Problem solved! Try to use full fat cream cheese for best flavor. Has been made using a graham cracker crust and Ritz™ cracker crust-both very good but the latter I highly recommend; especially if you like that sweet/salty combination! Three hours required prep time is chill time. You will also need 6-8 small parfait/dessert glass dishes.

(2 ratings)
yield 6 -8 (approximately)
prep time 3 Hr 15 Min
method No-Cook or Other

Ingredients For easy cheesecake parfaits

  • 1 1/2 c
    (approximate amount) graham cracker crust crumbles, ritz cracker crumbs or similar
  • PARFAIT FILLING:
  • 8 oz
    cream cheese, softened
  • 14 oz
    sweetened condensed milk (i have used a homemade sweetened condensed coconut milk)
  • 1/4 c
    fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp
    pure vanilla extract (experiment with other flavors: almond, hazelnut, etc.)
  • TOPPING (SUGGESTIONS ONLY):
  • fresh seasonal fruit, sliced (berries, peaches, etc.)
  • lemon zest
  • fresh fruit sauce (strawberry, blueberry, etc.)
  • cherry pie filling (original to the recipe, not tested, not my favorite topping)

How To Make easy cheesecake parfaits

  • 1
    CRUST: Use your favorite graham cracker pie crust or Ritz™ pie crust. The ingredients are the same: crushed graham crackers or Ritz crackers, melted butter, little bit of sugar. Some cooks like to add a pinch of ground cinnamon to the crust and you can if the mood strikes you. The only thing you're doing differently is not pressing the mixture into a pie pan.
  • 2
    PARFAIT FILLING: Combine filling ingredients in a blender or mixer and blend until smooth.
  • 3
    In each parfait glass place a small amount of the crust crumbles on the bottom. Add a spoonful of the cheesecake mixture followed by a final layer of crust crumbles. Depending on the size of the parfait glasses you may be able to do two layers of each.
  • 4
    Cover and chill 3 hours before. Tip: if adding fresh fruit slices or sauce as a garnish do not add it to the top of the parfait until just before serving.

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