Advent is truly a wondrous time—so full of beauty, expectancy and hope.  It’s also a time of expressing love and gratitude to those we work with all year long!  Here’s a wonderfully simple recipe to serve at any kind of Christmas gathering, with minimal preparation, and with a delicious and lovely result!

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No-bake Mini-Cheesecake Parfaits

SERVINGS 12 CHANGE SERVING SIZE

COOK TIME 10

PREP TIME 20

READY IN 40

Ingredients

• Filling
• 2 (8 ) oz packages of cream cheese room temperature
• 3 tbsp heavy cream
• 5 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups graham crackers crushed
• 4 melted butter optional
• Strawberry Topping
• 2 cups fresh strawberries cut into pieces
• 3 tbsp warm water
• 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• red food coloring For brighter color

Instructions

Filling

1. In electric mixer, with paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, heavy cream and sugar until smooth. Add the lemon juice, zest and vanilla; continue beating until light and fluffy.
2. Add a layer of graham cracker crumbs to the bottom of shooters. (For a richer “crust”, mix in 4 tablespoons melted butter first)
3. Top the layer of cracker crumbs with cheesecake filling, spooning a slight indentation for strawberry topping

Strawberry Topping

1. Combine chopped berries, cornstarch/warm water mixture, sugar and lemon juice. Bring to gentle boil and allow to simmer until thickened, about 5 Minutes, adding food coloring if desired.
2. Allow to cool, about 10 minutes (or faster in refrigerator)
3. Spoon topping onto parfaits and serve, or refrigerate if desired

Note: Best served in 2 1/2 oz glass shooters!

Recipe adapted from "Just a Taste". - See the original recipe at the justataste.com website