Indulge in creamy deliciousness with Baileys Cookies & Cream Parfaits.
Baileys Cookies & Cream Parfaits
Baileys, Marscapone-thickened heavy cream, chocolate cream and crushed Oreos. Do I need to say more? These Baileys Cookies & Cream Parfaits are not low calorie. But if you’re in the mood for something creamy, chocolatey, slightly boozey and completely indulgent, then this recipe is for you!
Stabilized Whipped Cream
If you’ve never discovered the advantages of stabilizing whipped cream by adding Mascarpone, then this is your lucky day. This little trick allows you to make whipped cream hours in advance. When you’re entertaining, this makes for a less hectic dessert course. Adding Mascarpone also results in a thicker, richer cream mixture. It also makes these parfaits quite sublime. You can skip this step if you want and still get a lovely parfait. If you go that route, start by whipping the cream, powdered sugar and Baileys into firm peaks. Then proceed with the steps of dividing the cream, adding the melted chocolate and layering the parfaits.
Chilling in Advance
Whether or not you add the Mascarpone, I recommend chilling the parfaits for 2-3 hours before serving. While you can enjoy them right away, the chocolate cream benefits from firming up in the frig. The cookie crumbles do soften up just a bit, so add the final sprinkle on top just prior to serving.
Serving Size
The picture above shows the recipe portioned into 3 stemless wine glasses, which makes for a nice photo. Truth be told, this dessert is too rich for servings this size. I recommend using a smaller parfait dish or wine glass to create 6 parfaits. This smaller size will still provide a very satisfying and indulgent treat.
Dinner Party Menu
I was inspired to make these Baileys Cookies & Cream Parfaits for a dinner party with our dear friend Sally. They were a delicious finale to a meal that started with yummy Brie Cups topped with Maple Bacon Onion Jam. This is an easy recipe that has become a go-to appetizer for me.
Our main course was Braised Lemon Chicken & Potatoes. This flavorful, one pan recipe features crispy chicken thighs, fingerling potatoes, olives, garlic and fresh thyme in a savory lemon sauce.
Enjoy this these recipes brought to you from ItsThyme2Cook!
Baileys Cookies & Cream Parfaits
Ingredients
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup milk I used whole milk
- 15 Oreos or 30 chocolate wafer cookies
- 1/2 cup Mascarpone cheese (4 oz.)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cup heavy whipping cream very chilled
- 1/3 cup Baileys Irish Cream very chilled
Instructions
- Place chocolate chips in a small bowl. Heat milk until steaming, then pour over chocolate. Let sit for 2-3 minutes, then stir. If any chunks of chocolate remain, heat in the microwave for 30-second intervals until all the chocolate has melted. Mixture will be thin, like chocolate milk. Set aside and let cool to room temperature.
- Using a food processor (or a gallon resealable bag + rolling pin), crush the Oreo cookies into crumbles, then set aside.
- Using a mixer, beat Mascarpone cheese and powdered sugar on high until well blended. Reduce speed to low and gradually add chilled heavy cream and chilled Baileys, while continuing to beat mixture until mostly combined. Then increase speed to high and beat until stiff peaks form, about 5-7 minutes.
- Divide cream mixture in half. The first half of the whipped cream will be left alone and is ready to use in the parfaits. The second half will be mixed with the chocolate. When ready, slowly fold in the chocolate mixture until completely mixed.
- To assemble the parfaits: Using a pastry bag (or a Ziplock bag with the corner snipped off or just a spoon) add layers of the cream and crushed cookies. The parfaits pictured are layered as follows – chocolate mixture, then cream, then cookies, then cream again, then chocolate again, then cream again, and finally finish with any remaining cookie crumbles on top (see note below.)
- Parfaits can be served immediately, but I highly recommend chilling them for 2-3 hours to firm them up. If chilling parfaits, add the cookies on top just before serving.
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