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

Raspberry Brownie Parfait with Mascarpone Whip
In these Raspberry Brownie Parfait with Mascarpone Whip, fudgy brownies are layered with mascarpone whipped cream and raspberries for a delightful dessert!
Ingredients
For the Brownies:
For the Berries:
- 18 ounces frozen raspberries, thawed
- 1 drop pure orange essential oil
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
For the Mascarpone Whip:
- 1 - 2 drops pure orange essential oil
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare your favorite brownies - mine are Homemade Fudgy Brownies.
- Cool and then cut them into about 3/4" to 1" cubes. Set aside.
- Combine the raspberries, orange oil, and 1/4 cup sugar in a bowl.
- Stir until well-mixed, and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the mascarpone, heavy cream, orange oil vanilla, and 1/4 cup of sugar. (I use powdered sugar because I like that you don't have any accidental sugar granules that don't dissolve, but it's not necessary.)
- Beat the mascarpone mixture with an electric mixer until medium-firm peaks form.
- To assemble, place a few brownie chunks in the bottom of 6 individual dessert cups (small juice glasses work well for this).
- Top the brownies with about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the mascarpone mixture, then with about 3 tablespoons of raspberries.
- Repeat until all the elements have been evenly divided among the cups.
- You can also serve this in a large trifle bowl, but I think mini, individual servings are cute for entertaining.
- Refrigerate until serving.
- Serve chilled.
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Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 491Total Fat 36gSaturated Fat 18gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 91mgSodium 203mgCarbohydrates 42gFiber 7gSugar 28gProtein 5g
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Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies
Wednesday 15th of February 2012
So beautiful, Katie! Perfect for making *any* night feel romantic, not just Valentine's Day.
Russell at Chasing Delicious
Tuesday 14th of February 2012
These parfait are gorgeous! Such seductive colors and a wonderful flavor combination. I could eat dozens! Yum.
Sandra Simmons
Tuesday 14th of February 2012
Can you please share where these glasses were purchased? I love them!
Katie
Tuesday 14th of February 2012
I am pretty sure they were purchased at Target. If not there, then Cost Plus World Market or Pier 1. Those are the places I typically buy glassware.
Mansi
Tuesday 14th of February 2012
Looks awesome, has two of my personal favorites, raspberries and chocolate!:) I just shared an article about how Valentine takes on a new meaning as you grow older, perhaps you might like it http://www.funandfoodcafe.com/2010/01/ways-to-express-love-valentine-ideas.html
julia { see you in the morning }
Tuesday 14th of February 2012
OH. man. this needs to be breakfast.