Easy Christmas dessert cups that kids can make
Prep: 20 min · Cook: 5 min · Makes: 6 glasses · For:
This is the dessert children can make for the whole family. There is no oven and no tricky steps: just crushing cookies, stirring cream and spooning layers into glasses. Red berries, white cream and a sprinkle of chocolate snow make it look wonderfully festive.
Tips
- Use see-through glasses or jars so you can admire the layers.
- Wipe the inside of the glass with a piece of paper towel for neat layers.
- Frozen berries are perfect here and cheaper in winter.
Little helpers
Crushing the cookies with a rolling pin is the best job in the kitchen. Children can also stir the cream, layer the glasses and add the snow. Older children can make the whole dessert themselves with a grown-up for the hot pan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed berries (raspberries, strawberries or frozen mixed berries)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 8 oz (1 cup) mascarpone
- 1 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 5 oz shortbread cookies or graham crackers (about 1¼ cups crumbs)
- 1 oz white chocolate
- a few mint leaves (optional)
Method
- Put the berries and sugar in a small pan and warm them over a low heat for about 5 minutes, until they are juicy and slightly soft. Let them cool. (A grown-up does this bit.)
- Beat the mascarpone with the yogurt, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- Put the cookies in a freezer bag and crush them with a rolling pin into coarse crumbs.
- Spoon a layer of crumbs into the bottom of six small glasses or jars, then a spoonful of berries, then a layer of cream.
- Repeat the layers and finish with a spoonful of berries on top.
- Grate the white chocolate over the top like snow, and add a mint leaf.
- Chill for at least 1 hour, or up to a day, before serving.
Questions
Can I make them the day before?
Yes. Covered in the fridge, they keep for up to 24 hours. The crumbs soften a little, which is lovely.
Can I use only yogurt?
Yes, use 2 cups Greek yogurt for a lighter dessert. Add a little more sugar if it is too sharp.
Is it suitable for toddlers?
Yes, but use plastic cups or small bowls rather than glass for little ones.
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