Skinny Champagne Parfaits

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Simple and elegant, these low calories Champagne and Berry Parfaits are the perfect bite-sized dessert. They’re made with a cake mix and champagne, fresh berries and some whipped cream frosting.  

The countdown is on, just a few more days of 2013 left. Where did the time go? New Years Eve isn’t a big holiday for us. We tend to lay low, cook a nice dinner at home and hope to stay awake until mid night to see the ball drop. Sometime we make it and sometimes we don’t. Exciting stuff I tell you.

The calories can add up fast on New Years Eve. It’s hard for me to resist bite-sized appetizers as I sip on champagne. This year, I am going to make a few small appetizers for us to enjoy at home. By the time we make it to dessert, I am sure I have over consumed my calories for the day. So I decided that I needed a lightened up dessert we can enjoy on New Years Eve.

This Skinny Champagne Parfait is inspired from a Weight Watchers cake recipe that uses a box of cake mix and a diet soda. I have been making varieties of these cakes for years and it’s one of the best cakes I have had. They are always super moist and surprisingly full of flavor.

So the cake for these parfaits uses only a box of vanilla cake mix and some champagne. I added a little vanilla bean extract and some orange zest for added flavor. It doesn’t rise like you typical cake, but by eliminating the eggs and oil- you are saving calories from the fat.

The berries are soaked in champagne for added flare. I did the same thing on my Mimosa French Toast, and I just love the added juices from the champagne. I did add a little bit of champagne syrup to each parfait, but used it sparingly. You can eliminate this to save additional calories.

Each parfait is topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream- which can also be substituted for some store bought light whipped cream. I love the individual parfaits cups because it helps me control my portions. I need to not be eating a huge piece of cake. This recipe makes enough for twelve small parfaits- I used 5oz glasses.

Skinny Champagne Parfaits

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• Author: Julianne Dell
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Total Time: 33 minutes
• Yield: 12 Parfaits

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Description

Simple and elegant, these low calories Champagne and Berry Parfaits are the perfect bite-sized dessert.

Ingredients

For the berries

• 2 C Mixed berries
• 1/2 C Champagne

For the cake

• 1 Box Vanilla cake mix
• 1 1/2 C Champagne
• 1 tsp Vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
• Zest from one large orange

For the syrup

• 1/4 C Butter, melted
• 2 tbsp Water
• 1/2 C Sugar
• 1/4 C Champagne
• 1 tbsp Orange juice

For the whipped cream (optional)

• 1 C Heavy whipping cream
• 2 tbsp Powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the berries by soaking them in Champagne for about 30 minutes. Combine fruit and champagne in a deep dish and set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. In a medium sized bowl, combine cake mix, champagne, vanilla bean paste and orange zest. Mix on medium speed until well combined.
4. Pour batter in a 9×13” pan and bake for 17-20 minutes. I baked mine for 18 minutes. To check the cake for doneness, insert a tooth pick into the middle of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done. Allow to cool completely.
5. Once the cake has cooled, prepared the syrup. Melt butter in saucepan over medium-high heat. Add water and sugar and whisk to combine. Boil on medium high for 5 minutes until bubbling and thick, stir occasionally to prevent from burning.
6. Remove the syrup from heat and stir in champagne and orange juice. You can use the champagne that the berries are soaking in!
7. Prepare the whipped cream by combining heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar in your mixing bowl. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Set whipped cream in the fridge until ready.
8. To assemble the parfaits, drain the champagne from the berries. Spoon 2 tablespoons of cake mix into the bottom of the jar. Next add a few berries. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons of the champagne syrup. Add another layer of cake followed with another few berries. Drizzle a second time with the syrup and top with a dollop of whipped cream.
9. To lighten up their recipe further, use a light whipped cream instead of homemade. You can further omit the champagne syrup and the cake and berries are good on their own to!

• Category: Dessert
• Method: Refrigerator
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: New Years Eve Dessert, Dessert Parfaits