I have no idea who started the idea of cloud desserts, but I absolutely love them. This No-Bake Cherry Cloud is endlessly adaptable and somehow manages to be innovative and comforting all at once. In a way it’s like classic nursery food, easy to eat and flavored with cherries, graham crackers, and vanilla. Sometimes I think it’s like a cheesecake that got mixed up together and dumped into a bowl. All the flavors are there but the delivery is different.
The cloud-like texture of this dessert comes from the whipped cream and mascarpone cheese. They instantly meld together into a dense cloud-like concoction. You want to make sure you whip it together well so you can achieve this desired texture. It should hold its shape really firmly before you are finished whipping it. Then, fold in the cherries and graham cracker crumbs, but not so much that the clouds deflate. You want to keep them as light as possible.
Choose pretty vessels for the clouds because they’ll go straight from the fridge to the table once they are chilled. I like to dollop them into pretty ramekins or antique china bowls. Everything always tastes better with a nice presentation.
We love this dessert and it pleases both the children and adults in our household. If you want to get your kids involved in the kitchen with you this is a great recipe to put them in charge of. They can handle the whipping and folding, then have them practice their presentation skills. I like to serve this around Valentine’s Day because of the sweet cherry flavor, but it works well any kind of year. It is very refreshing in the summer because it can be quite ice-cream like.
If you want to try other flavors feel free to do so. Strawberries or a little shaved chocolate would taste delicious in this as well!
No-Bake Mini Cherry Clouds
These clouds are poofs of vanilla flavored whipped cream and mascarpone cheese mixed together with cherries, and graham crackers. They are little bites of heaven that are easy to pull together in a jiffy.
Makes 4 to 6 ramekins
Ingredients:
1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, softened
1/2 cup fresh cherries, chopped
1/4 cup crushed graham crackers
¼ cup butter
Mini ramekins (4-6)
Instructions:
In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and continue whipping until combined.
Fold in mascarpone cheese and chopped cherries.
Mix the crushed graham crackers and melted butter.
Divide the graham cracker mixture in the ramekins and press fill each ramekin with the mascarpone and cherry mixture.
Sprinkle with remaining graham crackers and a fresh cherry to garnish each ramekin.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nikki Glekas is the owner of Nikki Glekas Events, a full-service catering and events company located in Stamford, CT.. To discuss further please contact team@nikkiglekascollective.com or call 203.658.8659.