Name: Christmas Morning Cranberry Cream Parfaits : Bright, Buttery & Beautifully Layered
Ingredients: 24 oz fresh or frozen cranberries; 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste); ½ cup orange juice; 2 tbsp orange zest; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ¼ tsp ground cardamom (optional); 2 tsp pure vanilla extract; 2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold; 16 oz mascarpone cheese, softened; ⅔ cup powdered sugar; 2 tsp vanilla extract; Pinch of salt; 2 tbsp orange liqueur (optional); 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats; ⅔ cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for GF); ⅔ cup brown sugar; ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed; ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional); 1 tsp ground cinnamon; Pinch of salt; 2 tbsp shredded coconut (optional)

Description

Bright, festive, and blissfully easy, these parfaits feature layers of tart-sweet cranberry compote, fluffy mascarpone cream, and buttery oat crumble. Perfect for make-ahead Christmas morning indulgence!

Ingredients

Scale

Cranberry Compote:

24 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
½ cup orange juice
2 tbsp orange zest
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cardamom (optional)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Mascarpone Whipped Cream:

2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
16 oz mascarpone cheese, softened
⅔ cup powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
2 tbsp orange liqueur (optional)

Oat Crumble:

1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
⅔ cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for GF)
⅔ cup brown sugar
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
2 tbsp shredded coconut (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Make Cranberry Compote

In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, zest, cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla.
Cook over medium heat, stirring often, 10–12 minutes until thickened to jam-like consistency.
Let cool completely.

Step 2: Bake Oat Crumble

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse sand with pea-sized chunks.
Stir in nuts and coconut if using.
Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 15–18 min, stirring halfway. Cool completely.

Step 3: Whip Mascarpone Cream

Chill mixing bowl and whisk for 10–15 minutes.
Whip cream, mascarpone, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold in orange liqueur if using.

Step 4: Assemble Parfaits

Layer in glasses or jars: compote → cream → crumble. Repeat 1–2 times.
Finish with a dollop of cream, drizzle of compote, and a sprinkle of crumble.
Optional garnish: fresh mint, extra cranberries, or orange zest.

Notes

Compote too runny? Simmer longer or add 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water.
Whipped cream won’t thicken? Make sure bowl and cream are ice-cold; try whisking over ice water.
Make-ahead: Prep components up to 2 days in advance. Assemble just before serving or the night before.
Adjust sweetness: Reduce sugar in compote or cream to taste