Easy Keto Red, White, and Blue Parfait (Sugar-Free & Festive!)
Celebrate with this delightful Easy Keto Red, White, and Blue Parfait! Layers of luscious, sugar-free cheesecake mousse are paired with fresh, juicy strawberries and blueberries for a light, refreshing, and festive dessert. It’s perfectly low-carb, keto-friendly, and naturally gluten-free – ideal for holidays or a special treat!
Yields: 4-6 parfaits (depending on glass size) Prep time: 15 minutes Chill time: 30 minutes (minimum, for setting)
Ingredients:
For the Sugar-Free Cheesecake Mousse:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature (full-fat recommended)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
- ¼ cup mascarpone cheese, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup Swerve Confectioners Sweetener (or your preferred powdered low-carb sweetener)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For Layering:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or stand mixer with whisk attachment
- Rubber spatula
- Dessert glasses or jars (e.g., parfait glasses, mason jars)
- Piping bag with a star tip (optional, for decorative dollops)
Instructions:
- Whip Heavy Cream: In a large, chilled mixing bowl, add the chilled heavy whipping cream. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with a whisk attachment, whip on high speed until soft peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip, or it may turn grainy. Set aside.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Base: In a separate medium mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese. Using a hand mixer, beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy (about 1-2 minutes).
- Combine Mousse Ingredients: Add the softened mascarpone cheese, Swerve Confectioners Sweetener, and vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Continue to whip until completely smooth and well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Fold in Whipped Cream: Gently fold the whipped heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture using a rubber spatula. Mix until just combined and smooth, being careful not to deflate the whipped cream. This creates your cheesecake mousse.
- Assemble Parfaits:
- Add a layer of chopped strawberries to the bottom of each dessert glass.
- Carefully pipe or dollop a layer of the prepared cheesecake mousse over the strawberries.
- Add a layer of fresh blueberries over the mousse.
- Repeat the layers: another layer of strawberries, followed by mousse, and topped with blueberries.
- Chill & Serve: Place the assembled parfaits in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or longer for a firmer set) to allow the flavors to meld and the mousse to firm up.
- Serve chilled and enjoy your festive, low-carb treat!
Tips for Success:
- Softened Cheeses: Ensure your cream cheese and mascarpone are at room temperature for the smoothest, lump-free mousse.
- Chilled Heavy Cream: This is crucial for whipping heavy cream into soft peaks. If your bowl and whisk attachment are chilled too, even better!
- Powdered Sweetener: Using a powdered (confectioners) sweetener prevents a gritty texture in the mousse.
- Don’t Over-Whip: Over-whipping the heavy cream can make it grainy. Whip until it holds soft peaks, then stop.
- Berry Freshness: Use fresh, ripe strawberries and blueberries for the best flavor and texture.
- Portion Control for Berries: While delicious and relatively low-carb, strawberries and especially blueberries do contain natural sugars. Adjust the quantity to fit your daily carb macros if strictly tracking.
- Presentation: Using clear dessert glasses or jars allows you to showcase the beautiful layers.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification:
- High Protein: Yes, from the cream cheese, mascarpone, and heavy cream.
- Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is very low-carb, as all ingredients are sugar-free and keto-friendly.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly.
- Swerve Confectioners: A good choice for sugar-free sweetness.
- Heavy Cream/Cream Cheese/Mascarpone: Excellent keto fats.
- Strawberries/Blueberries: Low-carb fruits that fit well in moderation on a keto diet. The quantities here are suitable per serving.
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
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