Pear Caramel Parfait with Walnut Crumb

Parfait in French means ‘perfect’ and when I tasted this dessert for the first time, I immediately understood why it’s called Parfait!

The layers of crunch, cream and caramel make it heaven in a glass. If you are looking for a dessert that is indulgent, chic and still quick and easy to prepare then nothing beats fruit parfait. It can be prepared and refrigerated hours before the party…all you need to do to add some oomph to your party is present it in style!

Here is a recipe for both nice and naughty versions…for those who want a decadent dessert, cream and cheese…for those who want to keep it light and fresh, yogurt. Enjoy!

For Pear Caramel Parfait with Walnut Crumb:

5 pears- peeled, cored, cubed
4 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons lemon juice
8 graham crackers or digestive biscuits
1/2 cup walnuts
1/4 cup almonds
1 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons cream cheese
OR for a less naughty version replace cream and cheese with
1 cup yogurt
3 tablespoons honey
A few drops vanilla essence

This Is What You Do :

Combine pears, lemon juice and cinnamon in a bowl. Heat butter in a saucepan, add pears and cook for 3-4 minutes, add brown sugar and reduce heat. Cook till pears are firm tender and the juices and sugar combine to make a thick sauce that coats pear pieces. Turn off heat. Let the pears cool down.

Whiz biscuits, walnuts and almonds in food processor briefly…we don’t want powder, leave it coarse and crumbly for texture. Set aside.

In a chilled mixing bowl, add cream and vanilla, beat with an electric mixer on high speed or by hand till soft peaks form. Mix cream cheese and honey and softly fold into the whipped cream.
If using yogurt, mix yogurt, honey and vanilla.

To assemble, take four wine glasses, goblets or any tall glasses. Add two heaped tablespoons of walnut crumb to each glass, add a scoop of whipped cream/yogurt then a generous helping of cooked pears. Top with a little more cream/yogurt, then crumb and pears. Drizzle the sauce from pears over the dessert. Serve chilled.

Makes 4 servings.