Decadent Valentine’s Chocolate Strawberry Parfait Hearts
A quick and easy romantic dessert featuring layers of silky dark chocolate cream and fresh macerated strawberries, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 oz (170 g) dark chocolate, chopped (recommend Ghirardelli)
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, divided (use dairy-free cream if needed)
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 pint (about 450 g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Optional garnish: fresh mint leaves
- Optional garnish: chocolate shavings or curls
Instructions
- Macerate the strawberries: In a medium bowl, toss sliced strawberries with granulated sugar and lemon juice. Let sit for 15-20 minutes to release juices.
- Melt the chocolate: Place chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Warm 1/3 cup (80 ml) heavy cream in a small saucepan until just simmering, then pour over chocolate. Let sit 1 minute, then stir gently until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Whip the cream: In a large bowl, beat remaining 2/3 cup (160 ml) heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form (about 3-4 minutes with electric mixer).
- Combine chocolate and cream: Once melted chocolate is cooled but pourable, gently fold it into whipped cream using a spatula, keeping mixture light and airy.
- Assemble parfait hearts: Spoon about 2 tbsp (30 ml) chocolate cream into bottom of each heart-shaped glass. Add a layer of macerated strawberries with juices. Alternate layers until glass is filled, finishing with chocolate cream on top.
- Chill: Refrigerate parfaits for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld and layers set.
- Garnish and serve: Just before serving, decorate with fresh mint leaves and chocolate shavings.
Notes
Cool melted chocolate to lukewarm before folding into whipped cream to avoid deflating. Macerate strawberries well for best flavor. Assemble parfaits a day ahead if needed but add garnish just before serving. Use a splash of cream to adjust chocolate cream consistency if too thick. Avoid freezing leftovers to maintain texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 parfait heart (app
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 30
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 3
Keywords: Valentine's Day dessert, chocolate parfait, strawberry parfait, romantic dessert, easy dessert, layered dessert, gluten-free dessert, dairy-free option