Peppermint Chocolate Pavlova Parfaits

Holiday parfaits layered with peppermint whipped cream, fluffy meringue and shaved chocolate.

It’s actually the perfect dessert for serving at a dinner party because you can make pretty individual servings for everyone to enjoy. On top of that, it’s naturally gluten-free so if you have a crowd, you don’t have to worry about some dietary constraints. Dessert storage win!

Peppermint Chocolate Pavlova Parfaits

Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients:

- 12 cocktail glasses or glass bowls

- 1 pavlova broken into bite sized pieces (can substitute broken meringue cookies as well)

- 591 milliliters (2 ½ cups) heavy whipping cream

- 4 milliliters (3/4 teaspoon) peppermint extract

- 80g (6 tablespoons) granulated sugar

- 8g shaved dark chocolate

Instructions:

1. Prepare peppermint whipped cream; in the large bowl of an electric mixer with whisk attachment, beat cream and peppermint extract at medium speed until foamy; increase speed to medium-high, and slowly add granulated sugar, beating until stiff peaks form

2. Put about 1/4 of a cup of whipped cream on the bottom of each glass; top each with about 1/2 tablespoon shaved chocolate; layer with ⅓ cup of broken pavlova in each glass;

3. Dollop remaining whipped cream on top of each parfait along with additional shaved chocolate

4. Serve immediately or chill in refrigerator until ready to enjoy

Notes:

Make ahead tips:

Pavlova can be made and kept at room temperature up to two days or frozen up to one month (store in a ziplock bag carefully because it is delicate)

Parfaits best prepared and served on same day but can be enjoyed within three days