These Strawberry Brownie Parfaits are quick and easy to make. Brownies topped with delicious filling, fresh berries and grated chocolate!
This recipe is filled with chocolate brownies, strawberry simple syrup, strawberries, and whipped cream. It's absolutely delicious and is always a huge hit when we entertain dinner guests.
When I originally made this recipe a fellow blogger had started a company that made simple syrups. Since that time she has closed her business. I'm editing this post to include homemade simple syrup and other options.
I want everyone to be able to make these delicious parfaits so I'll give you a couple of options you can use to make these. That way no matter what you have on hand, you can still make these.
Huge apologies to everyone who tried to make these with a missing ingredient. I had no idea Heidi has discontinued Not So Simple Syrups or I would have edited this sooner.
Since these Strawberry Brownie Parfaits are one of the most popular recipes on the blog I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who has pinned, tweeted, shared, or made these.
So, if you love brownies and parfaits this recipe is for YOU! It is so easy to make and everyone will gobble them up in record time. They are always a huge hit when we serve them.
I love using simple syrups to macerate berries. Simple syrups are divine drizzled over fruit salads. So I knew I wanted to incorporate that idea into the recipe. However that was too easy of a leap so I wanted to take it a step beyond that.
I use simple syrups in dips and fillings as well for some added flavour boost. So I thought I'd add a little to the cheesecake type filling for the parfaits. That way it would just add another level of strawberry flavour to the dish. It worked beautifully.
The syrup is not overwhelming at all, it's subtle and just sheer perfection in fillings. You get that hint of flavour without getting smacked in the face with it. That's the kind of dessert I love. Not one element over powers the others.
You can use store-bought brownies and whipped cream if you like. I'm not above cheating when time is of the essence. I made my own brownies for this because I was testing out some brownie ideas any way. So I had some left over.
Parfaits are a great way to use up leftover brownies, cakes and even cookies. You can buy cool whip if you like for this. I whipped up my own. Honestly, if you have heavy cream on hand it's super easy to make your own whipped cream.
If you don't have time I think cheating is okay. Never feel guilty if you need to do that. Life's too short to stress over the small stuff. However if you're stressing about anything at all these parfaits are a sure-fire way to cheer yourself up.
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Strawberry Brownie Parfaits
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Simple Syrup:
- 1 pound sliced fresh strawberries
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups sugar
For the Strawberry Simple Syrup Macerated Strawberries:
- 1 pound sliced strawberries
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ cup Strawberry Simple Syrup
For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Whipped Cream:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons Strawberry Simple Syrup
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
For the Parfait Base Layer:
- 2 cups brownies chopped
Optional Garnish:
- chocolate shavings
Instructions
For the Strawberry Simple Syrup:
- Place the strawberries, water, and sugar in a medium size saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally while the sugar dissolves. Once the mixture reaches a boil reduce the heat to simmer. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Check every 5 minutes or so to make sure it's reducing and not sticking to the pan. Remove from heat and strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve. Discard everything in the sieve. Transfer the simple syrup to a container and allow to cool for about 20 to 30 minutes. Cover and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
For the Simple Syrup Macerated Strawberries:
- Pop the strawberries into a glass bowl or container. Add the sugar. Pour the cooled simple syrup over top. Mix it all up and cover. Pop in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, my recommendation is 2 hours. Softens them just enough while still leaving some texture.
For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Whipped Cream:
- In your stand mixer bowl, add the heavy cream, sugar and Strawberry Simple Syrup. Start on slow for less splashing, let it start to thicken, then turn it on high and mix until it's fluffy. Add in the softened cream cheese and mix until combined.
Putting the Strawberry Brownie Parfaits together:
- Chop up your brownies into bite sized pieces. Divide into 4 and pop them inside glasses. I used stemless wine glasses for mine.
- Take the 2 tablespoons of Strawberry Simple Syrup and drizzle it over top of the brownie pieces.
- Now put a layer of the macerated strawberries over top of the brownies.
- Add a huge layer of Strawberry Cream Cheese Whipped Cream layer into each one, reserve enough to pipe a little on top of each parfait at the end.
- Add another layer of macerated strawberries over the whipped cream.
- Use a piping bag to top each parfait with a little more whipped cream.
- Take a zester or fine grater and run a piece of chocolate along it to garnish the top of each parfait with chocolate.
- You could top with a strawberry for added pizazz. I used all mine inside the parfaits so I didn't have any left for pizazz.
- Pop in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to a couple of hours.
- Serve with a big old parfait loving smile!
Notes
Nutrition
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Toodles and smoochies! xx
Nikki
I would love to try it in some fruity drinks!
Kim Beaulieu
That sounds like sheer perfection to me Nikki.
Kate (@KatefromScratch)
Looks delicious, Kim! I'll have to give these syrups a try. Thanks!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks Kate. You must try them out, so good. How have you been? I've been so out of the loop lately. Hope life is going well. I want to pop by this week and see what you've been cooking up. xx
Heather
I think I would make a Chocolate Mint Ice Cream. Yummy!
Kim Beaulieu
Oh my , that sounds lovely.
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos
You know I'd be making cocktails like crazy with those divine syrups. My heavens. Love the idea of the strawberry flavored one 🙂
Kim Beaulieu
Seriously Aly they are so good. I like the idea of freezing them so you can have them at the ready when needed. Cool concept for sure.
Sandy Headtke
I would make my own flavored sodas.
Kim Beaulieu
I totally dig that idea.
Kristen
Beautiful parfaits. It was a serious stroke of genius to put the syrup in the cheesecake filling. I popped over to the site to see what other flavors she had and was impressed. I love the idea of making Italian sodas with them.
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks Kristen. They would be brilliant in italian sodas. I freaking love italian sodas.
LS Gourmet
Trifle, I am thinking trifle with strawberry simple syrup in the pound cake and then on the strawberries and then in the whipped cream. I am also drooling on my keyboard.
Kim Beaulieu
Good call. The trifle, not the drool. Ha. Thanks LS.
Emily @ Life on Food
I am thinking some kind of jazzed up hot chocolate
Kim Beaulieu
Ohhhh.....I'm digging that idea.
Barb
iwould use for lemonade
Kim Beaulieu
They would be perfect for lemonade.
Amy S.
I would make some cocktails.
Kim Beaulieu
Perfect choice!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor
Ok, seriously, you must have made this dessert for me?! Strawberries are my favorite food ever and chocolate comes in close second. Together, they make the perfect dessert!
Kim Beaulieu
We're like foodie twins, I love both those things too. I try to combine them as much as possible. Thanks for visiting Ashley. xx
Kelly
I'd like to try the delicious-looking recipe that you posted here!
Kim Beaulieu
Well I just like you oodles and bunches right now. xx
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
I tried to get in last night but there was a big "database error" thing. Hope that's all sorted.
What a nifty idea of making and selling simple syrup. I'd buy it and keep it on hand. Love your beautiful parfaits!
Kim Beaulieu
Omg my site is giving me bunches of grief Maureen. Moving hosting companies next week before I lose my mind. Sorry about the difficulties. Hopefully moving makes everything work better.
Great idea to always have some on hand. It's great for when people pop by. And thanks. I had so much fun making them. Hubs is addicted to these things now.
Shelly
I'd definitely make cocktails!
Kim Beaulieu
Good choice.
Nicole
I would add it to my sundae fruit toppings
Kim Beaulieu
I love that idea.
MaryB
I'd make these parfaits, for sure, as well as some beverages!
Kim Beaulieu
I love those choices.
Debbie Bray
some fancy coctails
Kim Beaulieu
Good call Debbie. xx
Liz
Oh, my gosh, these are GORGEOUS parfaits, Kim!!! I have some NSSS in my fridge just waiting for this recipe!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks Liz. Ah, see it was kismet right. See you soon. xx
Teresa
I got super inspired by the frozen flavored ice cubes....
Kim Beaulieu
Me too. They sound perfect right.
Rusty H
Martinis...!! My personal favorite is a Lemon Drop Martini.
Kim Beaulieu
Oh wow, that sounds lovely. I love lemon.