🟩🫐 Pistachio Blackberry Cheesecake Towers
Serves 4
A no-bake, layered dessert featuring pistachio cheesecake mousse, fresh blackberry compote, and a silky mascarpone cream.
🥘 Ingredients
Pistachio Cheesecake Layer
- ¼ cup pistachio paste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup whipped heavy cream
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Blackberry Compote
- 1½ cups blackberries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Mascarpone Cream
- ½ cup mascarpone cheese, room temp
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons whipped cream (from above mixture OR freshly whipped)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Optional Garnishes
- Crushed pistachios
- Fresh blackberries
- Edible flowers
- Thin lemon zest strips
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the blackberry compote
- Add blackberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a small saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat 3–4 minutes until berries release juice.
- Mix cornstarch + water; stir into berries.
- Simmer 1 more minute until thickened.
- Cool completely.
2. Prepare the pistachio cheesecake layer
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add pistachio paste, powdered sugar, salt, lemon juice, and vanilla.
- Fold in the whipped heavy cream gently until light and mousse-like.
- Chill 15 minutes to firm.
3. Make the mascarpone cream
- Beat mascarpone with powdered sugar until smooth.
- Fold in 2–3 tablespoons whipped cream to lighten.
- Chill until ready to assemble.
4. Assemble the cheesecake towers
Use glasses, jars, or ring molds for clean layers.
Layer order:
- Pistachio cheesecake mousse
- Blackberry compote
- Mascarpone cream
Repeat layers if using tall glasses.
Finish with:
- A swirl of mascarpone
- Blackberries
- Crushed pistachios
- Lemon zest
5. Chill & Serve
Refrigerate at least 1 hour for the layers to set and flavors to meld.
Serve chilled.
✨ Tips & Variations
- More pistachio flavor: Add 1–2 drops almond extract (tiny amount!).
- Crunch layer: Add crushed pistachio shortbread between layers.
- Blackberry swap: Raspberries or mixed berries also work.
- Make ahead: Can be prepared 24 hours in advance.