10-minute Creamy Lemon Ricotta Cherry Parfait

Name: 10-minute Creamy Lemon Ricotta Cherry Parfait
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup ricotta cheese; 2 tbsp honey; 1 tbsp lemon zest (finely grated); 2 - 3 drops pure almond extract; 1/2 cup cherries (pitted, slice (or berries)); 1 tbsp flaked almonds (or other nuts, toasted)

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This Creamy Lemon Ricotta Cherry Parfait is a 10-minute mini dessert. It's sweetened with honey, flavoured with lemon and almond and layered with fresh or frozen cherries. Gluten-free and refined sugar-free.

Close up view of a mini jar of cherry parfait with creamy lemon ricotta

If you been a reader of mine for a while, you'll know that I like to post recipes that are quick and easy with interesting flavours. You'll also know that I love making mini desserts! This Creamy Lemon Ricotta Cherry Parfait fits that description to a T.

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❤️Why this recipe works
👍🏼Cherries are bursting with nutrition
🛒 Ingredients
🔪Instructions
❓FAQ's
🔁 Possible Variations
📖 Recipe
🗒 More gluten-free dessert recipes to try

❤️Why this recipe works

You can prepare this cherry parfait in less than 10 minutes! It's a creamy, smooth, light and refreshing little jar of deliciousness with a touch of lemon and almond. Need a last-minute dessert? Here's your answer.

And did I mention cherries? Fresh, sweet, just-picked juicy cherries put this tiny dessert over the top!

Quick, naturally sweetened with honey and flavoured with almonds, this easy-to-make Cherry Parfait is a tasty way to celebrate cherry season!

3 mini jars of creamy cherry ricotta parfait with fresh cherries

👍🏼Cherries are bursting with nutrition

Besides being a good source of Vitamin C, one cup of this stone fruit has as much potassium as a banana, helping to balance our blood pressure. Cherries are also rich in beta carotene and contain quercetin which can lower inflammation and help fight cancer.

Did you know that as cherries darken, they produce even more antioxidants? While they have impressive health benefits, we simply like to eat them fresh as snacks while they're in season.

🛒 Ingredients

Here's your short shopping list.

ricotta cheese: full-fat ricotta will give the creamiest results in this mini dessert.
honey: or substitute a 0-calorie sweetener like Lacanto Monkfruit with erythitol.
lemon: enhances the flavour of the cherries and adds a bright flavour.
almond extract: optional, but almond flavours work well with cherries.
cherries: fresh or frozen and thawed.
flaked almonds: for garnish and a little crunch.

🔪Instructions

All you'll need to make this ricotta cherry parfait is a blender.

Purée ricotta cheese, honey, lemon zest and almond extract in a blender until smooth and creamy. Blending it will remove the grainy texture of ricotta. You'll be left with soft, velvety cream. Now all you have to do is choose a cute little dessert dish and create layers of cherries and cream!

Toast sliced almonds in a single layer in the oven at 350°F. for 3 - 4 minutes. Watch carefully as they will burn easily. You can also use a toaster oven or even a skillet to toast them. Toasting brings out their flavour and makes a big difference! Don't skip this step. It only takes a few minutes and it's worth it!

Start with a base of the ricotta cream, then add a few sliced, pitted cherries, then repeat the layers. Sprinkle with a few toasted flaked almonds, then add a fresh cherry on top. That's it!

I like to flavour this refined sugar-free dessert with a touch of almond extract and top it with a few flaked toasted almonds for a little crunch. Cherries and almonds complement one another. They're a pairing that just works!

❓FAQ's

Can I use frozen cherries in this dessert?

While fresh cherries will have the best flavour and texture, you can use frozen cherries in this cherry parfait. You'll need to thaw them first, then drain thoroughly so they don't make the parfait runny.

Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Yes! You can make it up to a day ahead. Store it in the jars or dessert dishes you plan to serve it in, cover and refrigerate. Add a fresh cherry to the top just before serving.

What's the best way to remove the pits from cherries?

There are several methods that others have tried, including poking a chopstick through the stem end, or slicing the cherry in half and removing the pit with your fingers or a paring knife. However, I've found the easiest way ever!

Find an old fork that you don't care about (or get one at a thrift store). It should be of poor quality, so it bends easily. Using pliers, bend the out two tines forward, folding them so they lie flat against the base of the fork. Next, slightly bend the tips of the center two tines so they are bent at a 90° angle. To use, plunge the bent tips through the stem end of the cherry and pop out the pit! Easy-peasy.

🔁 Possible Variations

No cherries? No worries. Try this mini dessert with fresh berries. It's delicious with raspberries and blueberries, too! Many berries would pair better with vanilla flavouring instead of almond extract, so feel free to substitute.

Make a Greek yogurt parfait! You can also make this dessert with firm Greek yogurt instead of ricotta cheese. Add a little granola on top and you have a healthy breakfast!

📖 Recipe