Luxurious apple parfaits: a quick dessert from a few ingredients that looks like it's from a pastry shop

Name: Luxurious apple parfaits: a quick dessert from a few ingredients that looks like it's from a pastry shop
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 4 large apples (sweet-tart – ideally Golden Delicious or Granny Smith); 3 tablespoons honey; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; a pinch of salt; 1–2 tablespoons water; 200 ml whipping cream (min. 30 %); 150 g mascarpone; 35 g granulated sugar; 1 packet vanilla sugar; 50 g chopped walnuts or hazelnuts; caramel sauce (optional); fresh mint or thyme for garnish

i-Recipe.comRecipesLuxurious apple parfaits: a quick dessert from a few ingredients that looks like it’s from a pastry shop

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Easy to prepare
6 portions
25 minutes

Jan, 09. 01. 2026

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Today’s recipe is exactly the one you want on hand when you want a quick but impressively looking dessert. This apple cup combines warm caramelized apples with a velvety smooth mascarpone cream and crunchy nuts – and the preparation takes no more than 25 minutes. It’s a dessert that looks like it’s from a pastry shop, but you can make it at home in no time.

Similarly to the cottage cheese cake recipe with apples and blueberries on irecept.cz, which combines fruit and a creamy layer into a perfect harmony of flavorsiRecept, this cup also uses the best of the combination of sweet fruit and fluffy cream.

For 6 portions

Ingredients

For the apple base:

4 large apples (sweet-tart – ideally Golden Delicious or Granny Smith)
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
a pinch of salt
1–2 tablespoons water

For the cream:

200 ml whipping cream (min. 30 %)
150 g mascarpone
35 g granulated sugar
1 packet vanilla sugar

To finish:

50 g chopped walnuts or hazelnuts
caramel sauce (optional)
fresh mint or thyme for garnish

Preparation procedure

Peel the apples, core them and cut into small cubes. Put the honey, water and apples into a pan, add the lemon juice, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Heat over medium heat for about 7–10 minutes, until the apples soften and lightly caramelize. They should remain juicy, not mushy.
Mix the mascarpone with the sugar and vanilla sugar until smooth. In a separate bowl whisk the cream into stiff peaks. Using a spatula, gently fold it into the mascarpone to create a light and airy cream.
Divide the warm or lukewarm apples among the glasses. Layer the mascarpone cream on top. If you want a more pronounced flavor, you can repeat the layers.
Toast the nuts briefly dry in a pan to release their aroma, and sprinkle them over the tops of the cups. Add caramel sauce to taste.
Garnish the cups with a sprig of mint or thyme and serve immediately, or chilled after a short rest in the refrigerator.

Quick info

Servings: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Total time: approx. 25 minutes

Practical tips

For a lighter version, part of the mascarpone can be replaced with Greek yogurt.
The dessert is also ideal as a apple dessert in a glass for celebrations, because it can be prepared in advance.
If you want more contrast, add crushed ladyfingers or cookies under the apples.