When I entertain, I really enjoy giving my guests options, especially for dessert.  Serving a couple of different mini-desserts gives my guests the chance to sample from a choice of sweet treats without eating big portions of each one.  I also love serving these parfaits in tall shot glasses for a pretty presentation.

Mini-Lemon and Vanilla Cream Parfaits
Yields approximately 10 mini-desserts

Ingredients:
For the “crust” layer
1/2 cup graham crackers, crushed into crumbs
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon butter, melted

For the vanilla cream layer
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, vanilla extract or seeds from half of a vanilla bean
1 tablespoon granulated sugar or powdered sugar (powdered sugar dissolves more quickly into the cream)

1 cup lemon curd (recipe below)
10 shot glasses

Method:
Place the bowl and whisk attachment of the stand mixer in the freezer.  The coldness of the bowl and whisk helps the cream whip more quickly and easily.

To make the “crust”, combine graham cracker crumbs and sugar in a small bowl. Add the melted butter and mix until all the crumbs are moistened.  Set aside.

Remove the bowl and whisk from the freezer.  Pour cream into the bowl.   Whisk until the cream begins to form soft peaks.  Add the sugar and vanilla and continue whisking until the cream reaches desired thickness.  (I like the cream to be a little soft for these desserts so they spoon into the glasses easier).

To assemble the parfaits, place a layer of graham cracker crumbs on the bottom of each shot glass.  Spoon a layer of lemon curd and a layer of vanilla cream. Repeat with another layer of graham crackers, lemon curd, and vanilla cream.  Top with more graham cracker crumbs.

Inspired by the Meyer Lemon Icebox Shots at Vanilla Bake Shop

Lemon Curd
Yields approximately 2 cups

Ingredients:
2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons grated meyer lemon* zest
3 large eggs
4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup fresh meyer lemon* juice
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (optional, if not using change lemon juice amount above to 3/4 cup)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Notes:
*Regular lemons like Eureka or Lisbon may be used instead of meyer lemons
** For a richer curd, you may increase the butter to a 1/4 pound (1 stick)

Method:
Prepare an ice bath using a large bowl to hold the ice. Fill a medium saucepan 3/4 full of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat.

Combine sugar and lemon zest in a food processor and pulse until sugar is yellow and very fragrant, about 1 minute. This action heats up lemon zest, releasing its oils into the sugar.

Combine lemon/sugar mixture, eggs and egg yolks in a medium heatproof bowl and whisk together 30 seconds to distribute sugar evenly.  Place bowl over the simmering water and immediately begin whisking. Whisk continuously until sugar dissolves, about 20-30 seconds. Add lemon and lime juices (or all lemon juice) and cook, whisking continuously, about 5 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to scrape sides and bottom of bowl occasionally. The curd is done when it has the consistency of sour cream and a temperature of 160 degrees F, using an instant read thermometer.

Transfer lemon curd to a large bowl or to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse while you add butter, piece by piece, or whisk it in by hand in the large bowl. Once all butter has been added, pulse or whisk 10 seconds, or until texture is homogenous.

Strain lemon curd through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl and set in ice bath to cool. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto surface of curd to prevent a skin from forming. Stir occasionally until it has cooled completely.

At this point, lemon curd can be used or refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Adapted from The Secrets of Baking: Simple Techniques for Sophisticated Desserts by Sherry Yard

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