Raspberry Brownie Parfait

In this Raspberry Brownie Parfait with Mascarpone Whip, fudgy brownies are layered with mascarpone whipped cream and raspberries for a delightful dessert!

Creating This Brownie Parfait Recipe

Valentine’s Day with kids on a weeknight is always a tricky thing. So I thought I’d share with you one of my go-to, SUPER EASY, favorite dessert recipes: Raspberry Brownie Parfait with Mascarpone Whip.

It’s adapted from a great cookbook called Desserts 4 Today: Flavorful Desserts with Just Four Ingredients, by Abby Dodge. Abby’s version is a lot simpler, and still delicious. But, I wanted to kick things up a notch by adding the brownie chunks and some orange oil for drool-worthy flavor.

Desserts 4 Today is a fabulous dessert cookbook for easy entertaining. Each of the 125 recipes in Abby’s new book have only 4 ingredients each (all of which are readily available), and yet they’re still sophisticated and delicious. It just proves that simple does not have to be boring.

Feel free to simplify as you see fit or dress it up even more.

Ingredients in Raspberry Brownie Parfait

Although I jazzed up the original recipe, I still kept this brownie dessert recipe super simple.

• Prepared brownies (I used this recipe)
• Frozen raspberries
• Pure orange essential oil
• Granulated sugar
• Mascarpone cheese
• Heavy cream
• Vanilla extract

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make Raspberry Brownie Parfaits

Each step to this brownie dessert is easy! Here’s an overview of how I made the parfaits:

1. Prepare your favorite brownies (homemade or boxed work!), then cut them into about 3/4- to 1-inch cubes once cool. Set aside.
2. Combine the raspberries, orange oil, and 1/4 cup sugar in a bowl. Stir until well-mixed.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the mascarpone, heavy cream, orange oil, vanilla, and 1/4 cup of sugar. Beat until medium-firm peaks form.
4. To assemble, place a few brownie chunks in the bottom of six individual dessert cups. 
5. Top the brownies with about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the mascarpone mixture, then with about 3 tablespoons of raspberries. 
6. Repeat until all the elements have been evenly divided among the cups. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Can I Prepare This Brownie Dessert in Advance?

Yes! The beauty of this recipe is that the brownie and orange-sceneted raspberries can be prepared ahead of time. Perfect for doing during the day when kids are in school or napping.

When the time comes, you can just whip up the mascarpone layer and assemble.

Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?

Very easily! Simply follow your favorite gluten-free brownie recipe or buy a boxed gluten-free brownie mix at the grocery store.

Can I Substitute Cream Cheese for Mascarpone?

Yes, but the flavor profile and texture will be slightly different. However, cream cheese should work as well.

Tips for Making Brownie Parfaits

• I used powdered sugar to make the mascarpone whipped cream because I like that you don’t have any accidental sugar granules that don’t dissolve. However, you can use granulated sugar as well.
• Small juice glasses or mason jars are perfect for assembling this easy brownie dessert.
• You can also serve this in a large trifle bowl, but I think mini, individual servings are cute for entertaining.

More Easy Brownie Dessert Recipes:

An amazingly delicious and super simple Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle with boxed gluten-free brownies, homemade peanut butter mousse and homemade whipped cream.

These Chocolate Covered Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches are a decadent chocolate treat. Take a regular ice cream sandwich over the edge with this chocolate covered brownie ice cream sandwich.

Brownies, tarts, pie, cake, we love them all. Why not combine a deep fudge brownie with a tart and pie and call it Brownie Pie? The result is a creamy, rich, decadent chocolate dessert.

In this Brownie Ice Cream, creamy no-churn ice cream is layered with chewy brownie chunks and swirled with sweet and salty vanilla bourbon caramel sauce.

Salted Fudge Brownies are easy to make and taste oh-so decadent!

How do you like to spend Valentine’s Day?