What better dessert could you have on Valentine’s Day than one where the presentation is beautiful and everyone always swoons over the rich and creamy taste?
Well, how about one that only takes you a few minutes, can be done ahead of time, and that will keep you slim and sexy (it is Valentine’s Day after all…). This recipe also lends itself to lots of easy variations. While my go-to summer favorite is to pair regular grahams with blueberries, for Valentine’s Day chopped or sliced strawberries are awful nice. Or switch it up all together by using chocolate graham crackers and thawed frozen dark cherries.*
*(Regular and chocolate graham crackers have about the same number of calories (plain, not chocolate dipped :). The calories will be 10 calories less with strawberries, and the same number if you use dark cherries instead of blueberries. Points remain the same)
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
1/2 cup graham-cracker crumbs (regular or chocolate)
2 tablespoons granulated no-calorie sweetener* or 3 packets
1 ½ tablespoons butter
4 ounces tub-style light cream cheese
4 ounces nonfat cream cheese, room temperature (can substitute with additional light cream cheese)
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/4 cup granulated no-calorie sweetener* or 6 packets
1 cup light whipped topping, thawed
1 1/2 cups thawed blueberries, strawberries, raspberries or thawed frozen dark cherries
Instructions
1. Select 6 tall, stemmed glasses. (An 8-ounce wineglass or champagne glass is ideal. In a small bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons sweetener, and butter. Set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheeses with an electric mixer until creamy. Add sour cream and 1/4 cup sweetener and stir until smooth. Fold in light whipped topping with a spoon or spatula.
3. In the bottom of each glass, place 1 tablespoon graham cracker mix. Press down with a spoon. Spoon 3 tablespoons cheese mixture on top of crumbs. (You will use only 1/2 of the mixture for the 6 glasses). Divide the berries among the glasses, placing them on top of the cream cheese layer and add another layer of cream cheese filling. Finish the parfait by topping each with 1 tablespoon crumbs. Refrigerate until ready to be served.
* If you prefer to use stevia-based Truvia for Baking, use 1/2 as much. For regular sugar, use powdered sugar instead of the sweetener.
Dare to Compare………………………………………………………………..
The original recipe for these parfaits called for regular cream cheese, whipping cream and of course, sugar for a staggering 490 calories each!
Nutrition Information Per Serving: Calories 185 : Fat 8 grams (Sat. 5 gm) : Carbohydrate 20 (Sugar 8 gm) : Fiber 2 grams : Protein 7 grams : Sodium 280 milligrams : Food Exchanges: 1 Carbohydrate, 1 Low-Fat Meat, 1 Fat : Carb Choices 1 Weight Watcher Freestyle Smart Point Comparison: 7
