Ingredients:
- 100 g Digestive Biscuits (or Graham crackers)
- 50 g Unsalted Butter, melted
- 1 Tbsp Light Brown Sugar (optional)
- Pinch of Fine Sea Salt
- 300 g Fresh or Frozen Blueberries
- 50 g Granulated Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 Tbsp Water
- 1 tsp Cornflour (Cornstarch), mixed with 1 Tbsp cold water
- 225 g Full-Fat Cream Cheese, softened
- 50 g Icing Sugar (Confectioner's Sugar), sifted
- 1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract
- 150 ml Double Cream (Heavy Whipping Cream), chilled
Instructions:
- Combine blueberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and 1 Tbsp water in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the berries begin to burst (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in the vanilla extract. Pour in the cornflour slurry (cornflour mixed with cold water) and stir continuously until the compote thickens to a syrup-like consistency (about 1 minute).
- Remove from heat and transfer the compote to a shallow bowl. Place in the refrigerator immediately to cool completely. A cool compote prevents the cream cheese filling from melting.
- Crush the digestive biscuits finely until they resemble coarse sand. Mix the crushed biscuits with the melted butter, brown sugar (if using), and salt until the mixture is evenly moistened.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and lump-free. Add the sifted icing sugar and vanilla, mixing until just combined and creamy.
- In a separate, clean bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the chilled double cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture in two additions using a spatula until light and fluffy. Transfer the filling to a piping bag (optional).
- Divide the biscuit mixture evenly among 4 glasses and press lightly to form the base. Pipe or spoon one-third of the cheesecake filling over the crumb layer.
- Spoon a generous layer of the cooled blueberry compote over the filling. Repeat the process with a second, smaller layer of filling, followed by a final spoonful of compote.
- Garnish with fresh blueberries or mint. Cover the parfaits loosely and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (preferably 3 hours) to allow the layers to firm up and the flavors to meld.