Creamy dessert in a glass

Here are a few delicious and easy recipes for creamy desserts served in a glass. They are perfect for dinner parties because they look elegant and can be made ahead of time.

1. Classic Tiramisu in a Glass

This no-bake Italian favorite is the ultimate creamy dessert. The coffee-soaked biscuits and rich mascarpone cream are a match made in heaven.

Ingredients (Serves 4):

· 250g (1 cup) mascarpone cheese
· 2 large eggs, separated
· 40g (3 tbsp) sugar
· 8-10 ladyfinger biscuits (savoiardi)
· 1 cup strong coffee, cooled
· Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Instructions:

1. Make the cream: In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until pale and creamy. Add the mascarpone and whisk until smooth.
2. In a separate, clean bowl, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form.
3. Gently fold the egg whites into the mascarpone mixture using a spatula. Be careful not to deflate the mixture.
4. Assemble: Quickly dip a ladyfinger into the cold coffee (don’t soak it, just a quick dip) and break it in half to fit your glass. Place a layer of dipped biscuits at the bottom.
5. Cover the biscuits with a layer of the mascarpone cream.
6. Repeat with another layer of dipped biscuits and another layer of cream.
7. Chill: Cover the glasses and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
8. Dust generously with cocoa powder just before serving.

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2. Quick Lemon Mascarpone Verrines

If you want something fast, fresh, and lemony, this is the perfect recipe. It takes 10 minutes to assemble.

Ingredients (Serves 2):

· 250g (1 cup) mascarpone cheese
· 2 tbsp powdered sugar (icing sugar)
· Zest and juice of 1 lemon
· 1 packet of simple butter cookies (like Petit Beurre)
· A handful of fresh raspberries or blueberries

Instructions:

1. Make the cream: In a bowl, mix the mascarpone, powdered sugar, lemon zest, and half of the lemon juice. Stir until smooth. Taste it and add more lemon juice if you like it tangier.
2. Crush the cookies: Place the cookies in a bag and crush them with a rolling pin into small crumbs.
3. Assemble: In your glasses, start with a layer of cookie crumbs.
4. Add a layer of the lemon mascarpone cream.
5. Add a few fresh berries.
6. Repeat the layers (crumbs, cream, berries).
7. Serve immediately for crunchy cookies, or refrigerate for 1 hour for a softer, cake-like texture.

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3. Strawberry & Cream Cheese Delight

A simple, no-cook dessert that tastes like a deconstructed cheesecake.

Ingredients (Serves 4):

· 250g (1 cup) cream cheese, softened
· 200ml (3/4 cup) heavy cream (whipping cream), cold
· 3 tbsp powdered sugar
· 1 tsp vanilla extract
· 200g (2 cups) fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
· 4 tbsp strawberry jam
· 4 digestive biscuits or graham crackers, crushed

Instructions:

1. Whip the cream: In a large bowl, whip the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
2. Mix: In another bowl, soften the cream cheese with a spatula. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
3. Jam swirl: In a small bowl, mix the diced strawberries with the strawberry jam.
4. Assemble: Sprinkle a layer of crushed biscuits at the bottom of each glass.
5. Add a layer of the cream cheese mixture.
6. Top with the jammy strawberries.
7. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

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Tips for Success:

· Chill your glasses: If you pop the serving glasses in the fridge for 10 minutes before assembling, the cream will stay firmer.
· Use a piping bag: For a really professional look, put the cream in a piping bag (or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off) to fill the glasses neatly.