This raw peanut butter cup parfait is super easy to make and tastes like something you would get at a fancy restaurant. It is full of protein and sweetened only with dates!
Ok, so I am really getting into the raw dessert thing. First, they are so easy to make. And second, they are delicious. That's a win win in my book! This creation came about when I was really craving something smooth and silky, but quick. I had some cashews that I was soaking for my usual batch of Cashew Walnut Cream Sauce, so I "borrowed" a few to play around with. Well, my playing around led to this delicious dessert that my boys won't stop asking for!
I used peanut butter for the flavor of the cashew layer, and decided to put the chocolate in the coconut cream layer. The coconut cream recipe is a variation of the coconut cream I made for my Raw Churro Cheesecake Cups, super easy and quick. I made both layers with the intent on putting it together right away, but unfortunately due to the tragic fires that took over San Diego County that day, I never got to it until the following day. I really appreciate all the notes and good thoughts from my followers that were sent our way. We are safe and sound, as is our home, however there are many unlucky families that lost everything. I will forever think of them every time I make this dessert and will constantly be reminded about how lucky I am to have my kitchen and be able to do what I love...create recipes to share with all of you!
In having to wait to put this together, I was able to see how much more flavorful the separate layers became when left alone for some time. I of course tried both layers the night I made it, who can wait?! But when I put these together the following day, it was that much better! The coconut cream really took in the chocolate and created this rich mousse like flavor that was amazing. The peanut butter layer was deeper in taste and complemented the chocolate so well. You can of course make this and eat it right away, but if you're looking to make it ahead of time, it only gets better with age!
Raw Peanut Butter Cup Parfait
Ingredients
Peanut butter parfait:
- 1 cup soaked macadamia nuts
- 1 cup soaked cashews
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 10 dates
- ½ - 1 cup almond milk or more if you want to lighter and thinner
Chocolate coconut cream:
- 1 can full fat coconut milk placed in refrigerator overnight, or you can buy actual coconut cream
- 1-2 tablespoons date paste can also use maple syrup or coconut palm sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa or cacao powder
Instructions
- Place all peanut butter parfait ingredients in a food processor, blender or high speed blender and pulse until nuts and dates are chopped well.
- Slowly add milk until you get a thick and moving consistency, but be careful that it doesn’t become too thin.
- Next, to make chocolate coconut cream, take the can of coconut milk out of the refrigerator and open it.
- Using a spoon, remove the harder white thick layer from the top, reserving the clear coconut water for a later use if you want. It makes a great addition to smoothies! Using a hand or stand mixer, mix the coconut cream layer with the rest of the ingredients until light and fluffy.
- Layer in cups or mason jars starting with peanut butter parfait layer and ending with chocolate coconut cream layer, making 3 layers of each. Top with cacao nibs or crumbled Peanut Butter Cups for added presentation.
Notes
- Soak nuts overnight if not using a high speed blender, but if crunched for time, soak in warm water for at least 2 hours.
- Any milk of choice works here, you can even use dairy milk if you don’t mind it not being totally vegan. You can also add more dates if you want it sweeter.
- You can use cocoa or cacao powder for this recipe. If using cocoa, make sure it is unsweetened. Add it 1 tablespoon at a time until you achieve the flavor you want.
- If you want to add presentation, top with cacao nibs or crumbled Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.
- You can make both these layers one day and leave them overnight to allow flavors to soak in before serving, this gives a deeper more flavorful taste to both.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Caitlin
This looks so decadent! Exactly the type of thing I'd love to serve at my sister-in-law's birthday party. I plugged the recipe into a nutrient breakdown calculator and came up with more than 3,700 calories and 320g of fat before any toppings. The recipe says it serves three...is that accurate? 100g fat/1200cal seems high even for a nut-based treat. Do you think it would work fine to use 4oz jars for a more reasonable serving size? Thanks! Can't wait to try it. I love that you used macadamia nuts. It's a fun variation from an entirely cashew based dessert.
veggiesdontbite
Hi Caitlin, thanks so much! Yes, this is a very decadent dessert. To be honest, I don't look at the number of calories/fat in my recipes but instead focus on them being filled with whole food ingredients and free of processed/refined products. I know some people do but just not my focus. However I do have other lighter desserts on my site for those that prefer that! My serving says 3 one cup servings for this, so if you prefer to break that down into 6 half cup servings it's totally up to you! It just depends on what you feel like eating or serving, it will still taste great and be a whole food based treat and much better than any processed sweet treat! Hope you enjoy!
The Vegan 8
I saw this from your roundup post today. OMG, this looks so damn good! I would have to eat just a few bites though because I will blow up after eating this, lol! A few bites for breakfast everyday,,,yes that sounds good to me, yum!! I love Justin's peanut butter cups...they are scarily addictive.
veggiesdontbite
Lol, thank you Brandi! Yes, this one was a big hit. Its so delicious and decadent. A few bites does the trick
Jes
Perfect 🙂 thank you so much! I will post pics if it comes out pretty 🙂
veggiesdontbite
You're welcome! Looking forward to it!
Jes
Fresh Dates right? I'm so excited to try this!
veggiesdontbite
Yes!! And if they aren't pitted, make sure you take the pits out before you blend...learned that lesson the hard way. Lol. Let me know how it goes! And feel free to post a pic on my Facebook page or tag me on Instagram!
Jill
Nutritional information?
veggiesdontbite
Hi Jill! I don't have the nutritional info on it but I could upload the ingredients in http://www.myfitnesspal.com for you to find out if you want! Just let me know! My guess is that since it is nut and coconut cream based it will be high in fat and calories...but healthy fats. At least that is the approach to food I follow, although I know there are theories out there that don't believe in any fat.
shonalika
Oh wow. It's been a long time since I've made a dessert using a soaked-nut base (partially because whilst away at uni I don't have access to my mum's heavy duty blender xD) but once I do, I think this may have to be the first thing that comes out of it. I especially love how you've used 3 types of nuts to make that layer - just adds a nice bit of variety:)
veggiesdontbite
Thank you! I actually use my food processor for this because I'm in between high speed blenders. It works great but you have to let it blend a while. Hope you give it a try!!
paleica
OMG this looks AWESOME!!!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much!! My boys can't get enough. Lol.
paleica
i can imagine 🙂
GeekyNikki
This looks so good! Anything with peanut butter in it and I just have to try! Also thank you for including a link to your date paste recipe! I will have to try that out!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you! Let me know if you try either!
Dina
Thank you for saving some for me, it was amazing!
Dina
I can't wait to try it, it looks amazing!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you!! I'll save some for you!
shannon4126
UMM wow!!!!! That looks amazing!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Shannon! The boys beg me for it all the time now. Lol.
Rebecca
WOW! That's an impressive dessert
Violet's Veg*n e-comics
Oh my goodness this looks amazing! Thank you for sharing your recipe 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Thank you! You are so welcome, thank you for following!
Violet's Veg*n e-comics
Your raw peanut butter parfait is all the thanks we need! 😉
veggiesdontbite
Lol!
Sophia | Love and Lentils
This looks decadent! Yum!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Sophia! We must both be on the same raw wavelength!!
alifemoment
Wow this is so refreshing and delicious! 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Thank you!! We love it!
alifemoment
It looks really nice, like it too 🙂
Best wishes,
Alice
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Alice!
alifemoment
You're welcome 🙂