Name: Red Velvet Oreo Parfait
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 2 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups red velvet cake, crumbled; 1 cup cream cheese, softened; 1 cup heavy cream; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup crushed Oreo cookies; ½ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

A delightful dessert that combines the rich flavors of red velvet cake with creamy cheesecake filling and the crunch of Oreo cookies. This no-bake parfait is perfect for entertaining guests or satisfying your sweet tooth with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Red Velvet Oreo Parfait is a showstopper that requires no baking. The combination of velvety smooth cream cheese filling, soft cake crumbles, and crunchy Oreo pieces creates a perfect textural contrast in every bite. It’s easy to prepare ahead of time, making it ideal for dinner parties or special occasions. The beautiful layered presentation looks impressive with minimal effort, and the classic flavor combination of red velvet and cookies is universally appealing.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Red velvet cake serves as the foundation of this parfait, providing that distinctive flavor and striking color that makes this dessert so appealing. You can use homemade cake, store-bought, or even leftover cake from another occasion.

Cream cheese adds a tangy richness that balances the sweetness of the other ingredients. Make sure it’s fully softened to room temperature to avoid lumps in your filling.

Heavy cream whips up to create a light, airy texture in the filling. The fat content in heavy cream is important for achieving stable peaks, so avoid substituting with half-and-half or milk.

Granulated sugar sweetens the cream cheese mixture perfectly. It dissolves easily into the mixture, creating a smooth texture without graininess.

Vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors in the dessert with its warm, aromatic notes. Pure vanilla extract will give the best flavor, but imitation works too.

Crushed Oreo cookies provide a delicious chocolaty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake and creamy filling. Regular Oreos work best, but you can experiment with different varieties for unique flavor combinations.

Mini chocolate chips are an optional topping that adds extra texture and a hit of chocolate flavor. They also make the finished parfait look even more appetizing with their decorative appearance.

Directions

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
In serving glasses or bowls, layer red velvet cake crumbles, cheesecake filling, and crushed Oreo cookies.
Repeat layers until glasses are full.
Top with mini chocolate chips if desired.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 4 generous servings, perfect for a family dessert or small gathering. The prep time is just 15 minutes, making it a quick dessert to put together. However, you’ll need to allow for at least 2 hours of chilling time before serving, bringing the total time to approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. The chilling time is essential as it allows the flavors to meld together and the parfait to set properly.

Variations

White Chocolate Red Velvet: Add white chocolate chips or white chocolate shavings between layers for extra sweetness.
Cream Cheese Frosting: Replace the cheesecake filling with actual cream cheese frosting for an even richer dessert.
Berry Addition: Add fresh strawberries or raspberries between layers for a fruity twist that complements the red velvet flavor.
Nutty Crunch: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts for added texture and flavor complexity.
Chocolate Lover’s Version: Use chocolate cake instead of red velvet for an all-chocolate experience.
Individual Shooters: Prepare in shot glasses for bite-sized desserts perfect for parties.
Holiday Spin: Add green-colored Oreos or sprinkles for a Christmas-themed dessert.

Storage/Reheating

These parfaits can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep them covered with plastic wrap to prevent them from absorbing other flavors from the refrigerator. The parfaits are best enjoyed cold directly from the refrigerator and don’t require reheating. If you want to prepare them further in advance, you can make the components separately (cake crumbles, cheesecake filling, crushed cookies) and store them individually, then assemble up to 24 hours before serving for the best texture.

These parfaits do not freeze well as the cream cheese mixture can become grainy upon thawing, and the cake layers may become soggy.

FAQs

Can I use cake mix for the red velvet cake?

Yes, store-bought cake mix works perfectly for this recipe. Prepare according to package directions, allow it to cool completely, then crumble it for your parfaits. This is a great time-saving option.

How far in advance can I make these parfaits?

You can make these parfaits up to 24 hours in advance. The flavors will actually develop and improve with a little time in the refrigerator. Just be aware that the longer they sit, the softer the Oreo pieces will become.

Can I make this recipe without dairy?

Yes, you can substitute the cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.

What can I use instead of Oreos?

Any chocolate sandwich cookie will work well. You could also use chocolate graham crackers, chocolate wafer cookies, or even brownies cut into small pieces for a different texture.

My cheesecake filling is too runny. What went wrong?

This usually happens if the heavy cream wasn’t whipped to stiff peaks before folding it into the cream cheese mixture. Make sure your cream is very cold before whipping and that you beat it until it holds its shape firmly.

What type of glasses work best for serving?

Clear glasses or jars work best to show off the beautiful layers. Mason jars, or parfait glasses are all good options. The size depends on how large you want each serving to be.

My red velvet cake is too moist and doesn’t crumble well. Any tips?

If your cake is very moist, spread the pieces on a baking sheet and place in a 250°F oven for 10-15 minutes to dry them out slightly. Let cool completely before using in the parfait.

Can I use red food coloring to enhance the color?

If your red velvet cake isn’t as vibrantly red as you’d like, you can add a few drops of red food coloring to the cake crumbs. Just mix it in gently before assembling the parfaits.

Is there a gluten-free version of this recipe?

Yes, use gluten-free red velvet cake and gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this an easy recipe to adapt.

Conclusion

The Red Velvet Oreo Parfait is a stunning dessert that combines beloved flavors in a visually appealing presentation. It’s the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and soft textures with the classic combination of chocolate, vanilla, and red velvet. The best part is how simple it is to prepare, requiring no baking and minimal active preparation time. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, celebrating a special occasion, or simply treating yourself to something special, these parfaits are sure to impress. The make-ahead capability makes them even more practical for entertaining, allowing you to focus on enjoying your guests rather than last-minute dessert preparation.