Kahlua Mocha Parfaits

January 30, 2023
With creamy layers of homemade mocha pudding, Kahlua whipped cream, and Kahlua-laced cookie crumbles, Kahlua Mocha Parfaits are a perfectly delicious creamy comfort food treat. Whip them up in shot glasses for a fun party treat, or cocktail glasses for a full-sized dessert.
Kahlua Mocha Parfaits Layered in Cocktail Glasses Image

What's not to love about a deliciously creamy, eye-catching, chocolatey no-bake dessert, right? And when it comes to Kahlua Mocha Parfaits, they have all that and more. -- Because in addition to being deliciously creamy with beautiful chocolate and whipped cream layers, they've got the wonderful flavors of Kahlua and coffee, too.

Homemade mocha pudding is the star of the show here. Instant coffee crystals are added to homemade chocolate pudding made from scratch to create mocha's signature chocolate-and-coffee combination. And it's one very rich and delicious pudding combination, for sure.

With creamy layers of homemade mocha pudding, Kahlua whipped cream, and Kahlua-laced cookie crumbles, Kahlua Mocha Parfaits are a perfectly delicious creamy comfort food treat.

The pudding is then layered with Kahlua-laced Oreo cookie crumbles and Kahlua whipped cream to build this stunningly beautiful layered dessert.

Serve them up in shot glasses for party-perfect bite-sized treats, or prepare them in cocktail or martini glasses for full-sized dessert servings. Either way, these layered beauties will be a huge hit.

Kahlua Mocha Parfaits in Shot Glasses Image

What's to Love About This Recipe?

  • Rich mocha deliciousness - Their combination of creamy homemade chocolate-coffee pudding, Kahlua-drenched cookie crumbles, and homemade Kahlua whipped cream has these beauties delivering up rich mocha deliciousness in every bite.
  • Kahlua - Mixed into the cookie crumbles and whipped cream layers, this classic coffee liqueur adds fabulous flavor to these tasty little parfaits.
  • Creamy comfort - Whipped cream and silky smooth pudding layers have this deliciousness simply screaming creamy comfort food dessert.
  • Eye appeal - Those luscious layers make for one beautiful sight to behold, for sure.
  • Flexible in size - Use dessert bowls or cocktail glasses to prepare Kahlua Mocha Parfaits in full-sized servings, or whip up shot glass-sized parfaits for a fun party treat. The size is up to you!

Whipped Cream and Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean Garnish on a Kahlua Mocha Parfait Image

Kahlua Mocha Parfaits Ingredients:

Made up of layers of homemade mocha pudding, Oreo cookie crumbles, and Kahlua whipped cream, Kahlua Mocha Parfaits are delicious indeed. While homemade pudding does take more time and effort than instant, the rich and creamy results are worth it.

For the parfaits' homemade mocha pudding, you'll need:

  • Half-and-half - The dairy base of the pudding. A mixture of half heavy cream and half milk, half-and-half creates a nice rich and creamy pudding. Whole milk can be substituted and will still make chocolate pudding with a nice texture. We do nor recommend using low-fat 2% milk or skim milk for making the homemade pudding.

  • Baking cocoa- Powdered baking cocoa whisked together with the half-and-half creates a nice chocolate background-base within the pudding mixture.

  • Semi-sweet chocolate - Chopped semi-sweet chocolate, melted, and stirred into the pudding base brings rich, deep chocolate flavor to the finished pudding. Look for baking bars of semi-sweet chocolate in the baking aisle of the grocery store, typically near the chocolate chips.

  • Instant coffee - Instant coffee crystals bring the coffee element to the pudding, mixing with the pudding's chocolate to create mocha's signature coffee-and-chocolate combination. Choose your favorite brand of instant coffee -- we use Folger's.  

  • Granulated sugar - Regular granulated sugar nicely sweetens the pudding, dissolving in the pudding's hot mixture as the pudding cooks.

  • Corn starch - The primary thickening agent in the pudding.

  • Egg yolks - Brings added thickening and tender creaminess to the pudding. Using both corn starch and egg yolks, rather than corn starch alone, gives the pudding a lusciously creamy texture.

  • Salt- A small pinch of salt enhances and rounds out the pudding's mocha flavor.

  • Vanilla extract - Brings depth of flavor to the finished pudding. Use 100% pure vanilla extract, rather than imitation, for the best flavor and result.

  • Butter - Finishing the pudding with unsalted butter adds fat that smooths out the pudding, as well as brings richness and a silky sheen.

Homemade Mocha Pudding Ingredients Image

For the parfaits' cookie crumble and whipped cream layers, you'll need:

  • Oreo cookies - Create the base of the cookie crumble layers. Any brand of chocolate sandwich cookies works just fine to substitute for Oreo brand, if you prefer.

  • Kahlua - This classic coffee-flavored liqueur flavors both the cookie crumble and whipped cream layers of the parfaits.

  • Heavy whipping cream - The main component and base of the homemade whipped cream. Choose a dairy product labeled "whipping cream" or "heavy whipping cream," as they contain the amount of fat needed to whip into whipped cream.

  • Granulated sugar - Sweetens the whipped cream. Powdered sugar may be used in its place.

  • Vanilla extract - Flavors the whipped cream. Use 100% pure vanilla extract, rather than imitation, for the best flavor and result.

Kahlua Mocha Parfait Ingredients Image

How to Make Kahlua Mocha Parfaits:

In short, making Kahlua Mocha Parfaits involves preparing each of their 3 components, and then assembling them in layers.

The 3 components to prepare are the:

  1. Cookie Crumbles - Crush Oreo cookies and drizzle them with Kahlua to create this flavorful component of the parfaits.
  2. Kahlua Whipped cream - This can be made in advance, if you'd like, and kept in the refrigerator until parfait assembly time.
  3. Homemade Mocha Pudding - Prepare the mocha pudding just before you plan to assemble the parfaits, allowing for a 30-minute cooling time prior to assembly so the pudding's heat doesn't melt the whipped cream layers.

Whisk with Homemade Mocha Pudding Image

Once the mocha pudding, cookie crumbles, and Kahlua whipped cream are prepared, you can move on to assembling the Kahlua Mocha Parfaits.

Start by placing a layer of cookie crumbles in the bottom of each parfait's dish. I like to use stemless wine glasses or old fashioned (aka: lowball) cocktail glasses, but individual trifle and other dessert dishes work great, too.

Next, layer in Kahlua whipped cream and the mocha pudding. I don't have a real steady hand for neatly spooning the ingredient layers in (especially the whipped cream), so I use a disposable piping bag fitted with an extra-large decorating tip to pipe the layers in instead.

Piping Whipped Cream Layer to Make Kahlua Mocha Parfaits Image

Top the layers with another layer of cookie crumbles, generous dollop of whipped cream, and a chocolate-covered espresso bean for garnish, if you'd like. 

Then cover and chill the finished parfaits for 2-3 hours (or overnight) before serving to allow the layers and flavors to meld.

Kahlua Mocha Parfait Topped with Whipped Cream Image

Then you're ready to dive in to the creamy mocha deliciousness! And loaded with rich homemade mocha pudding, Kahlua whipped cream, and Oreo cookie crumbles, Kahlua Mocha Parfaits are certainly delicious, indeed.


Spoonful of Kahlua Mocha Parfait Image
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Dessert
American
Yield: 6 full-sized parfaits
Kahlua Mocha Parfaits

Kahlua Mocha Parfaits

With creamy layers of homemade mocha pudding, Kahlua whipped cream, and Kahlua-laced cookie crumbles, Kahlua Mocha Parfaits are a perfectly delicious creamy comfort food sweet treat. Whip them up in shot glasses for a fun party treat, or cocktail glasses for a full-sized dessert.
Prep time: 50 MinCook time: 15 MinInactive time: 3 HourTotal time: 4 H & 5 M

Ingredients

For the Cookie Crumble Layers:
  • 1 1/2 c. finely crushed Oreo cookies
  • 3 T. Kahlua
For the Kahlua Whipped Cream Layers:
  • 2 c. whipping cream
  • 1 T. Kahlua
  • 1/4 c. granulated sugar
For the Homemade Mocha Pudding Layer:
  • 2/3 c. granulated sugar
  • 3 T. baking cocoa
  • 2 T. cornstarch
  • 2 T. instant coffee crystals (we use Folger's instant coffee)
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • 2 1/2 c. half-and-half (or whole milk)
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate squares, chopped
  • 2 T. butter
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
For (optional) Garnish:
  • Chocolate-covered espresso beans (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Homemade Mocha Pudding:
  1. In a saucepan, whisk together sugar, baking cocoa, corn starch, instant coffee, and salt until well combined and there are no clumps.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together half-&-half and egg yolks until well combined. Whisk egg yolk mixture into cocoa/sugar mixture a little at a time.
  3. Place saucepan on stove and bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly (this will take about 10-12 minutes). Boil for 1 minute, whisking constantly. Remove from heat.
  4. Melt chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat (or, microwave about 45 seconds in a glass bowl).
  5. Add melted chocolate, butter, and vanilla extract to pudding; whisk in.
  6. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to cool for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally while cooling.
Prepare the Cookie Crumble Layers:
  1. While the pudding cools, stir together crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and 3 tablespoons coffee liqueur until well combined.
  2. Set aside for later.
Prepare the Kahlua Whipped Cream:
  1. Chill a large mixing bowl and the beaters of an electric mixer (or whisk attachment of a stand mixer) in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
  2. Remove bowl and beaters from the refrigerator and pour the whipping cream and Kahlua into the chilled bowl.
  3. Beat on medium-high speed until foamy. Gradually add granulated sugar; beat on high speed until soft peaks form.
Assemble the Parfaits:
  1. Sprinkle 1/2 of the cookie crumbles into the bottom of 6 individual parfait or cocktail glasses, dividing crumbles evenly between the glasses. Set aside remaining 1/2 of cookie crumbles.
  2. Spread or pipe a layer of whipped cream over the cookie crumbles in each parfait glass.
  3. Spoon a layer of mocha pudding over the whipped cream in each parfait glass, dividing all the pudding evenly among the glasses (you make just one layer of pudding in the parfaits).
  4. Top the pudding layer of each parfait with another layer of cookie crumbles, dividing the remaining cookie crumbles evenly between the parfaits. Then top the cookie layers with a generous dollop of Kahlua whipped cream.
  5. Garnish each parfait with a chocolate-covered espresso bean, if desired.
  6. Cover and chill for 2-3 hours (or overnight) before serving.
TRACEY'S NOTES:
  1. The number of individual parfait glasses needed will depend on the size used. This recipe makes approximately 6 full-sized cocktail glass servings or approximately 12 shot glass-sized servings.
  2. Check the temperature of the pudding before spooning it on top of the Kahlua whipped cream layer. If it still seems hot, cool it a bit longer or it will "melt" the whipped cream. A little warm is okay, but hot -- not so much.
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Kahlua Mocha Parfaits ~ With creamy layers of homemade mocha pudding, Kahlua whipped cream, & Kahlua-laced cookie crumbles, these are one perfectly delicious creamy comfort food treat! Whip them up in shot glasses for a fun party treat, or cocktail glasses for a delicious full-sized dessert.  www.thekitchenismyplayground.com


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6 comments

  1. Oh my oh my!! These look delicious, I wish I had one now! Would love for you to come & share at my party http://mommyondemand.com/create-bake-9/

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is so perfect, Hopefully my Mocha Parfaits come out looking like yours.

    ReplyDelete
  3. these look amazing!! I have pinned these so I can have ago at making them myself

    ReplyDelete
  4. These look FABULOUS. Featuring when my party opens!

    ReplyDelete

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