This Creamy Lemon Ricotta Cherry Parfait is a 10-minute dessert. It’s sweetened with honey, flavoured with lemon and almond and layered with fresh cherries. Gluten-free and refined sugar-free.
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.
You can prepare this mini dessert in less than 10 minutes. It’s a creamy and smooth, light and refreshing little jar of deliciousness with a touch of lemon and almond.
And did I mention cherries? Fresh, sweet, just-picked juicy cherries put this tiny dessert over the top!
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? As healthy as they are, we all love to simply snack on them while they’re in season.
All you need to make this Ricotta Cherry Parfait is a blender.
Purée ricotta cheese, honey, lemon zest and almond extract until smooth and creamy. Blending it will remove the grainy texture of ricotta. You’ll be left with a soft velvety cream. Now all you have to do is choose a cute little dessert dish and create layers of cherries and cream!
I chose 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!
Quick, naturally sweetened with honey, and flavoured with almonds, this Cherry Parfait is a tasty way to celebrate cherry season!
No cherries? No worries. Try this dessert with fresh berries. It’s delicious with raspberries and blueberries, too!
- 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
Place all ingredients except cherries and almonds in a blender and process until smooth. Alternate layers of ricotta cream with fresh cherries (or berries) in small dessert glasses and refrigerate. Garnish with toasted almonds and additional cherries or berries before serving.
This dessert can be made with berries instead of cherries. Many berries would pair better with vanilla flavouring instead of almond extract, so feel free to substitute.
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Denise from Urb'n'Spice says
I love mini desserts, Elaine! This quick Creamy Lemon Ricotta Cherry Parfait is perfect for an individual portion. Your little glass containers are adorable (I think I have a few of the same ones). I agree that cherries and almonds are a perfect pairing – I am excited to try your recipes with the cherries that I have in my refrigerator. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks so much, Denise. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as we do. Yup–love those mini desserts!
Jo Vanderwolf says
Honey, cherries, almonds???? Some of my favorite things! Can’t wait to try this. Your photos, as always, are gorgeous!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks so much, Jo! It’s so easy and so good! Hope you get a chance to try it soon!
Yvonne Langen says
I love the simplicity of this recipe – so quick to make but so full of flavour! Love that there’s no refined sugar in this too.
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
I’m all about the cherries this time of year Elaine! This look delicious!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Leanne,
Cherries are here for such a short time! I like to use them in as many different ways as I can while they’re available. We’re heading out to pick more at a farm tomorrow. 🙂
Chef Markus Mueller says
These parfaits look absolutely divine! I have always wanted to grow my own cherries, but unfortunately don’t have the room for a cherry tree..so I have to buy my cherries. They aren’t the cheapest, which is why I hardly ever buy them…but man o man, this looks good! I could eat this for breakfast!!