Description
Red velvet cake parfaits combine classic Southern charm with layered elegance. Creamy mascarpone, rich chocolate crumbles, and smooth cream cheese frosting create a dessert you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (13.25 oz / 375 g) package red velvet cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 mL) water
- ⅓ cup (80 mL) vegetable oil
- 1 (8 oz / 225 g) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 mL) whole milk
- ¾ cup (180 mL) sour cream
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and coat a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cake Mixing: Blend red velvet cake mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil using an electric mixer. Blend for 1-2 minutes until achieving a silky, uniform batter without lumps.
- Baking Process: Pour batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 22-25 minutes. Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean from the cake’s center.
- Cooling Stage: Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature for 60-90 minutes.
- Custard Creation: Whip softened cream cheese, milk, vanilla extract, sour cream, and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl until developing a rich, smooth custard with a thick consistency.
- Cake Transformation: Cut cooled cake into precise 1-inch square pieces.
- Parfait Assembly: Layer cake squares and cream cheese custard in clear wine glasses or a trifle bowl, creating multiple alternating layers.
- Finishing Touches: Garnish with red velvet cake crumbs, red sprinkles, or chocolate chips for visual appeal.
- Serving Preparation: Refrigerate assembled parfaits until ready to serve, maintaining their elegant structure and cool temperature.
Notes
- Cake Mix Precision: Use room temperature ingredients for smoother, more even cake batter that blends perfectly without lumps.
- Toothpick Test Mastery: Check cake doneness by inserting a clean toothpick – a clean exit means perfectly baked cake without raw centers.
- Cooling Crucial: Allow cake to cool completely at room temperature for 60-90 minutes to prevent custard from melting during assembly.
- Layering Technique: Create visually stunning parfaits by carefully alternating uniform cake squares and cream cheese custard for a professional-looking dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg