Best Spice Cookie Parfaits Recipes

CHOCOLATE-MOUSSE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Whisk together eggs and sugar in a heatproof bowl set over (but not in) a pot of simmering water until doubled in volume and a thermometer registers 160 degrees (6 to 8 minutes). Remove from heat. Add chocolate, cocoa, espresso powder, and salt. Stir in butter until melted. Let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, whip cream to stiff peaks. Stir one-third of whipped cream into chocolate mixture until lightened, then fold in remaining whipped cream. Divide half of mousse between two glasses; sprinkle with crushed cookies. Top with remaining mousse and refrigerate until set, at least 1 hour and up to 1 day. To serve, top with lightly whipped cream and more cookie crumbs.

GRAMMY'S SPICE COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick liners.
• Using an electric mixer, beat 12 tablespoons butter with the granulated sugar, molasses and egg until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Slowly beat in flour, baking soda, spices and salt.
• Shape dough into walnut-size balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake until firm, about 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on wire racks.
• To make the icing, beat remaining 4 tablespoons butter with the confectioners' sugar until smooth. (Go slowly so you don't create a sugar storm.) Beat in the vanilla and enough cream or milk, and whiskey (if using), to make a spreadable frosting. Slather on fully cooled cookies.

SPICE-COOKIE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Combine cranberries, pear juice, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then cover and cook until cranberries are softened and most have burst, about 10 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes. Set aside 3/4 cup cooked cranberries.
• Purée remainder with 1 1/2 cups blackberries, then pass through a coarse-mesh sieve (to remove seeds; you should have about 1 1/2 cups). If needed, stir in more juice to create a thick but pourable consistency (it should be thicker than honey).
• Whip cream to soft peaks. Fold 1/4 cup purée into cream, leaving some streaks. Into each of 6 glasses, spoon or pipe a few tablespoons of whipped-cream mixture. Drizzle with about 1 tablespoon purée; add a few cooked cranberries and some of remaining 1 1/2 cups blackberries. Sprinkle with crumbled cookies. Repeat layering, finishing with a drizzle of purée. Refrigerate, covered, at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. Serve each glass sprinkled with whole fresh or frozen berries and garnished with a cookie.

SPICE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 2 baking sheets.
• Combine sugar, butter, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a bowl; beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Combine flour, currants, and baking soda in a separate bowl. Stir into the butter mixture alternately with tablespoons of milk until the flour is fully incorporated.
• Drop spoonfuls of batter onto the prepared baking sheets. Press down lightly with a fork. Dip fork in sugar or water if it sticks.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Let stand on the baking sheets for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

SPICY PEAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In large bowl, beat margarine and sugar untill smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and ginger; mix into batter. Stir in chopped pears, chopped nuts and raisins.
• Drop about two inches apart by rounded tablespoonfuls onto baking sheets and bake 15 minutes or until edges are golden brown and center springs back when lightly touched. Remove to wire racks to cool.
• Combine confectioners' sugar and lemon juice and mix until smooth. Spoon icing over coookies.