Fourth of July Red, White & Blue Parfait

Ok, so you know I’ve been teasing you by posting pictures of this dessert on other blog posts and on my facebook page, and waving it in the face of anyone who will look at the picture on my phone, but now I’m giving you the super simple recipe!  It takes a little time to make each of the layers, but it’s totally worth it!  Here we go!

Cream Cheese Filling

• 2 packages of cream cheese softened
• 1 tub of whipped cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla

Combine all ingredients and mix with a kitchen aid or a hand mixer for approximately 5 minutes on a low to medium speed until smooth and fully mixed.  Place in a covered container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Graham Cracker Crumble

• 6 to 8 graham crackers, crushed to powder
• 4 tbsp butter, melted
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine graham cracker crumbs and brown sugar.  Stir in butter until all dry ingredients are moist.  Cover a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the mixture evenly over the top.  Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, checking to make sure it doesn’t get too dark. The butter and sugar will melt into a sheet.  Remove from oven and let cool.  (I took the parchment paper with graham cracker crumble off to cool on a plate).  Once cool, break or crumble into small pieces. Set aside until ready to use.

These crumbles are also great as a dessert topping for almost any dessert as well as to add a little sweet crunch into your yogurt.

Now for the fun stuff!  Let’s get this parfait assembled!

Red, White and Blue Parfait

• Red jello, prepared according to box. Chill it in the fridge in a 8X8 or 9X9 square baking pan, then cut in cubes.
• Blue jello, prepared according to box. Chill it in the fridge in a 8X8 or 9X9 square baking pan, then cut in cubes.
• Strawberries, sliced or quartered
• Graham cracker crumble (see recipe above)
• Cream Cheese filling (see recipe above)

Grab yourself a fun parfait glass or just any clear cup will do (it’s fun to see the layers).  Start layering the ingredients in any order you prefer.

Devour this delicious concoction as though your life depended on it.  I promise you, it is so good you’ll wonder why it disappeared so fast!

Enjoy!