This chocolate parfait is made with layers of rich chocolate mousse, velvety whipped cream, and crunchy chocolate cookie crumbs.
This chocolate parfait is the perfect no-bake dessert for any chocolate lover. It’s made with rich layers of smooth chocolate mousse, light and fluffy whipped cream, and crunchy chocolate cookie crumbs.
The mousse is creamy and melts in your mouth, the whipped cream adds a soft and airy contrast, and the cookie crumbs give just the right crunch to balance it all out.
You can serve this chocolate parfait in glass jars or cups for a pretty layered look. It’s a simple yet impressive treat you can make ahead for dinner parties, birthdays, or even just for yourself.
Top it with more cookie crumbs or chocolate shavings for a fancy look and extra crunch.
For more chocolate desserts, check out my torta Caprese (italian chocolate torte), brownie bites, small batch brownies, ferrero rocher cake, brownie cookies, and chocolate sour cream pound cake.
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Why this recipe works
- Flavor- this dessert has a rich chocolate mousse flavor and has 3 different textures in every bite from whipped cream, chocolate mousse, and Oreo cookies.
- No bake- this is a no-bake recipe and this mousse is made without eggs. So there is no need to turn on the oven or cook it on the stove!
- Ease- you will need 30 minutes to prep these chocolate parfaits from start to finish, and let them chill in the fridge for a few more hours to let them set. It comes together with an electric hand mixer and is made with simple ingredients!
- Great for entertainment- this parfait is perfect for any occasion from holidays, to parties, and get-togethers!
- Prepare in advance- This recipe is great to make in advance. You can store it in the fridge for up to 4 days which is great for parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
Before you start to make this recipe, measure and prepare your ingredients so the cooking process will go smoothly and easily.
Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
Oreo cookies- I used Oreo cookies for this parfait because I like the chocolaty taste of Oreo cookies that have black cocoa powder, but you can use any kind of chocolate digestive biscuits.
Dark chocolate- use good-quality chocolate (around 60-70% cocoa) for a rich, deep flavor. You can also use semi-sweet chocolate if you prefer it a little sweeter.
Heavy cream- make sure that your heavy cream is cold for the whipped cream. Cold heavy cream whips better and quicker.
Vanilla extract- for extra flavor. You can use vanilla bean extract for extra flavor!
Cocoa powder- I love using Dutch cocoa powder for its smooth, rich taste and deep color. It blends beautifully into the mousse and intensifies the chocolate flavor. Regular cocoa powder will work great as well.
Salt– I used kosher salt for this recipe. Salt doesn’t give the filling a salty taste; it helps to enhance the flavor.
Powdered sugar- Lightly sweetens the whipped cream without changing its texture. You don’t have to buy powdered sugar; you can simply make it at home by blending granulated sugar in a blender or food processor.
Instructions
Crush the Oreo cookies in a plastic bag or with a food processor until they are fine crumbs. You can make them into larger pieces.
Make the chocolate mousse
Melt the dark chocolate and heavy cream together in a small mixing bowl. You can do this in the microwave using 10–20 second bursts, stirring well between each one until smooth.
Alternatively, melt them gently using the bain-marie (double boiler) method for more control.
Into a large mixing bowl, add the heavy cream, sift the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and add the vanilla extract. Whip with an electric hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
Add the melted chocolate mixture to the whipped mixture and mix with the electric hand mixer and then fold with a spatula until well combined.
Make the whipped cream
Into a large mixing bowl, add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Mix with an electric hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
Assemble
Into 5 glasses, add 1 tablespoon of the Oreo crumbs to each cup, then pipe a layer of the chocolate mousse, then top it with a layer of whipped cream.
Repeat with more Oreo crumbs, chocolate mousse, and whipped cream on top, and top with extra Oreo crumbs for decoration.
Refrigerate the parfaits for at least 1 hour before serving so the layers can set and the flavors meld. Serve chilled with a spoon and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- A single chocolate parfait cup will serve 2 people.
- Use cold heavy cream. Always start with very cold heavy cream when whipping—it helps create stable, fluffy peaks.
- Use good-quality chocolate. The mousse and ganache rely on the flavor of the chocolate, so use a high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate.
- Let the chocolate cool slightly. After melting the chocolate, let it cool a bit before folding in the whipped cream so it doesn't melt the cream.
- Don’t overmix the mousse. Fold gently when combining the whipped cream and chocolate to keep the mousse airy and light.
- Chill before serving. Let the parfaits chill in the fridge for at least an hour to help the layers set and the flavors develop.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently to ensure that you have a homogeneous mixture that is smooth.
- Let your dessert chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours. We know it’s very hard to resist eating this delicious dessert right away, but you have to let it chill and soak up the flavors.
- Make it ahead. These are perfect make-ahead desserts—assemble and chill up to a day in advance.
- Do not use chocolate chips instead of chocolate bars for this recipe! The cocoa butter in the dark chocolate bars help stabilize the mousse.
- Top just before serving. If adding extra toppings like whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or fruit, do it right before serving so they stay fresh.
Faq's
Chocolate parfait is made with Oreo cookies, rich chocolate mousse, and freshly made whipped cream.
Yes! You can double or triple this recipe. There is an option to automatically double, half, or triple this recipe in the recipe card below!
Parfait is a layered dessert that typically consists of alternating layers of cream, fruit, and sometimes granola or cookie crumbs. It has a smooth and creamy texture with visible layers.
On the other hand, mousse is a light and airy dessert made by folding whipped cream or egg whites into a flavored base such as chocolate or fruit puree.
Storing
To store your chocolate parfaits, cover them tightly with plastic wrap or lids and place them in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Freezing
To freeze these parfaits, place them in freezer-safe containers or jars with tight-fitting lids. Leave a little space at the top for expansion, then seal well and freeze for up to 1 month.
When you're ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight for the best texture. The whipped cream may lose a bit of its fluffiness, but the mousse will still be rich and delicious.
Substitutions
Gluten-free - if you want to make this recipe gluten-free, simply replace the Oreos with gluten-free Oreos.
Dairy-free- to make this dessert dairy-free, you can swap the heavy cream with vegan heavy cream or full-fat coconut cream.
Cool whip- you can use a cool whip instead of freshly made whipped cream if you are short on time for the topping.
Variations
Chocolate biscuits- if you don't want to use Oreos, use chocolate biscuits or chocolate graham crackers.
Chocolate chips- add mini or regular chocolate chips to the filling for a delicious chocolaty crunch.
Chocolate strawberry parfait- layer in fresh sliced strawberries or strawberry compote between the mousse and whipped cream for a fruity, chocolate-covered-strawberry vibe.
Cheesecake- for a creamy cheesecake flavor, beat 3 tablespoon of softened cream cheese into the whipped cream. This gives the parfait a tangy, rich twist, like chocolate cheesecake in a cup.
Equipment
- Dessert cups- these are perfect for events, entertaining, and this type of dessert!
- Mixing bowls- For melting chocolate, whipping cream, and assembling layers.
- Electric hand mixer- To whip the cream to soft peaks and incorporate ingredients smoothly.
- Rubber spatula- Ideal for folding the whipped cream into the chocolate mousse gently.
- Measuring cups and spoons- For accurate measurements of ingredients.
- Pastry bag- To neatly layer the mousse, cream, and crumbs into serving cups.
- Plastic wrap or lids- To store the parfaits in the fridge or freezer.
More individual desserts
Tiramisu cups- These individual tiramisu cups are an easy twist on the classic dessert, made with layers of creamy mascarpone, ladyfingers, and cocoa powder, this makes the perfect dessert!
Mini Fruit Tarts- These mini fruit tarts are made with easy and buttery tart shells, filled with homemade pastry cream, and topped with fresh fruit
Mini cupcakes- These mini cupcakes are bite-sized treats that are perfect for any occasion. This recipe shares mini vanilla cupcakes and mini chocolate cupcakes as well as chocolate buttercream and vanilla buttercream.
If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and a comment below. I love hearing from you.
If you liked this recipe
📖 Recipe
Creamy Chocolate Parfait (No Bake)
Ingredients
- 25 Oreos crushed
Chocolate mousse
Melt:
- 7 oz Dark chocolate
- ½ cup Heavy cream
Whip together:
- 1 ½ cups Heavy cream cold
- ¼ cup Cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoon Powder sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Whipped cream
- 1 ⅓ cups Heavy cream cold
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ¼ cup Powder sugar
Instructions
- Crush the Oreo cookies in a plastic bag or with a food processor until they are fine crumbs. You can make them into larger pieces.
Make the chocolate mousse
- Melt the dark chocolate and heavy cream together in a small mixing bowl. You can do this in the microwave using 10–20 second bursts, stirring well between each one until smooth. Alternatively, melt them gently using the bain-marie (double boiler) method for more control.
- Into a large mixing bowl, add the heavy cream, sift the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and add the vanilla extract. Whip with an electric hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Add the melted chocolate mixture to the whipped mixture and mix with the electric hand mixer , and then fold with a spatula until well combined.
Make the whipped cream
- Into a large mixing bowl, add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Mix with an electric hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
Assemble
- Into 5 glasses, add 1 tablespoon of the Oreo crumbs to each cup, then pipe a layer of the chocolate mousse, then top it with a layer of whipped cream.
- Repeat with more Oreo crumbs, chocolate mousse, and whipped cream on top, and top with extra Oreo crumbs for decoration.
- Refrigerate the parfaits for at least 1 hour before serving so the layers can set and the flavors meld. Serve chilled with a spoon and enjoy.
Notes
- A single chocolate parfait cup will serve 2 people.
- Use cold heavy cream. Always start with very cold heavy cream when whipping—it helps create stable, fluffy peaks.
- Use good-quality chocolate. The mousse and ganache rely on the flavor of the chocolate, so use a high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate.
- Let the chocolate cool slightly. After melting the chocolate, let it cool a bit before folding in the whipped cream so it doesn't melt the cream.
- Don’t overmix the mousse. Fold gently when combining the whipped cream and chocolate to keep the mousse airy and light.
- Chill before serving. Let the parfaits chill in the fridge for at least an hour to help the layers set and the flavors develop.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently to ensure that you have a homogeneous mixture that is smooth.
- Let your dessert chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours. We know it’s very hard to resist eating this delicious dessert right away, but you have to let it chill and soak up the flavors.
- Make it ahead. These are perfect make-ahead desserts—assemble and chill up to a day in advance.
- Do not use chocolate chips instead of chocolate bars for this recipe! The cocoa butter in the dark chocolate bars help stabilize the mousse.
- Top just before serving. If adding extra toppings like whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or fruit, do it right before serving so they stay fresh.
Betty Walk
Could you use crumpled brownies instead of crushed oreos or would the brownies get soggy?
RichandDelish
That’s a delicious idea! They won’t turn soggy.
Patricia
Oh my goodness. I made this last night and I made the white cream with marzipan cheese. So decadent, satisfying and Rich so good. This one is definitely a keeper. Thank you for sharing this recipe.