Classic Parfait in 3 Minutes – Easy Recipe!

Hello, dear cooking lovers! Welcome to Paulina Cocina, today I want to share with you a recipe that I love: parfait. Did you already know it? It’s probably something new for many, that’s the fun part.

This delight is not only easy to make, but it is also incredibly versatile and nutritious. We will only need yogurt and seasonal fruitsHow about that, easy and delicious! So let’s go to the kitchen and start this sweet adventure.

About the parfait

We start with the most important thing, the definition: what is parfait? It is a dessert originally from Francewhat does it mean “perfect” in French, and it couldn’t be more aptly named. Traditionally, it is a combination of layers of yogurt or cream with fresh fruitgranola, and sometimes a touch of honey or syrup. The best thing about this dessert is that it can be customized to each person’s taste, with different types of fruits, seeds, nuts and toppings.

The history of parfait, from France to the world

This dessert has its roots in 19th century Franceat that time it was served as a frozen dessert in tall, narrow molds. A characteristic of this dessert is that it was made as a frozen dessertmade with cream, eggs, sugar and syrup, and served in glasses.

Over time, this recipe evolved and crossed borders, adapting to different cultures and tastes. In the United States, for example, this dessert became popular in tall glasses, combining yogurt, fruit and granolabecoming a popular choice for both breakfast and dessert.

Nowadays this is enjoyed in all over the world and in various waysfrom very traditional versions to the most modern and creative. This is a dessert that can be customized with an endless variety of ingredients, making it an option Versatile and adaptable to any taste or diet.

Essential ingredients for a classic parfait

Before going into details about how to make a parfaitlet’s see the basic ingredients that you will need. Today we are working with the classic recipe, but remember that creativity is more than welcome in this kitchen.

• Natural yogurt or Greek: You can use any type of yogurt, whichever you prefer, but I recommend trying Greek yogurt because it is more thick and creamyperfect for a more indulgent parfait.
• Fresh fruits: They are worth it strawberries, blueberries, bananas, kiwisalways better if it is seasonal fruit, whichever you prefer.
• Granola: It will give a delicious crunch to your parfait.
• Honey or maple syrup: I recommend sweetening to taste, but it can be prepared without extra sweetener as well.
• Nuts and seeds: Optional, for extra crunch and nutrition.

Latin American Parfait: A Delicious and Exotic Variation

It’s a delicious variant of the traditional French dessertadapted to the flavors and preferences of our region. Unlike the classic parfait that uses mainly yogurt, fruits and granola, the Latin American style of this recipe can incorporate a greater variety of ingredients typical of the local cuisine, offering a unique and rich-tasting experience.

Some typical ingredients that we can find:

• Tropical FruitsFruits such as mango, papaya, pineapple, soursop and passion fruit are common in Latin American parfaits, adding freshness and an exotic flavor.
• Caramel sauce: This ingredient is very popular in various parts of Latin America and can be added as a sweet and creamy layer.
• CocoShredded or flaked coconut is another common ingredient, either fresh or toasted, adding a crunchy texture and tropical flavor.
• QuinoaIn countries like Peru, toasted quinoa can be used as a substitute for granola, offering a more nutritious option.
• Sugarcane Honey or Piloncillo: To sweeten, you can use alternatives to refined sugar such as cane honey or piloncillo, which add a touch of natural caramel.

5 Tips and tricks to make a perfect parfait

1. Variety of yogurts: Don’t limit yourself to plain yogurt. You can use flavored yogurt, such as vanilla or coconut, to add more depth of flavor to your dessert.
2. Natural sweeteners: If you prefer a healthier option, sweeten your dessert with honey, maple syrup or even fruit puree.
3. Homemade Granola: Making your own granola is easy and you can control the ingredients to make it healthier. You only need oats, nuts, seeds and a little honey.
4. Creative layers: Here the winner is the one who takes a chance and experiments. You can add layers of fruit puree, compotes, or even a little coconut or grated chocolate. The ideal would be to balance the sweet and sour flavours. Sour fruits like raspberries go perfectly with sweeter creams.
5. Contrasting Texture: This is part of the combination of flavors in this dessert, ideally we always add crunchy ingredients such as granola, nuts or crushed crackers to contrast with the creamy and soft layers.

Delicious parfait variations to try at home

This dessert has no limits. Here are some variations for you to try at home:

• Tropical fruit parfait: Use coconut yogurt and add fruits like mango, pineapple and papaya. A touch of lime zest will give it an incredible freshness. I find this ideal for breakfast.
• Chocolate and cherry parfait: Mix chocolate yogurt with fresh cherries and chocolate granola. One of my favorites! It’s a dessert worthy of a feast.
• Autumn Parfait: Combine vanilla yogurt with applesauce and cinnamon, and granola with nuts. Perfect for cool autumn days.
• Perfect vegano: Use almond or soy yogurt and sweeten with agave syrup. Add fresh fruit and granola without honey.

Why is parfait a great choice?

Parfait is more than just a delicious dessert; it is a nutritious and balanced optionBy combining yogurt, fruit, and granola, you get a good dose of protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Plus, it’s a great way to incorporate more fruit into your daily diet, and it can be a quick and easy breakfast to prepare.

3 useful tips before you start

• Make sure that the Fruits are fresh, washed and cut in small pieces for better distribution.
• Adjust the amount of granola and honey according to your personal taste.
• It can be served immediately or refrigerate for a few minutes before serving, for a fresher texture.

Remember, the kitchen is a space to experiment and have fun, so don’t hesitate to be creative and make your own. perfect parfaitNow that we know the ingredients and a little bit of the history, let’s get to work! Making a parfait is simple and fun. Here is a step-by-step guide.

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Recipe to make a delicious fruit parfait

Yield: 2 vases

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup yogurt, can be: Greek, fat-free vanilla or whatever you like best
• ¼ cup granola
• 1 handful of mixed fruit, you can use: strawberries, raspberries, peaches or blueberries. Whichever you like best, and ideally those in season
• Optional: 2 tablespoons of honey, mint leaves to decorate

How to make a parfait step by step:

1. In a tall dessert glass, layer the different ingredients. Start with a layer of yogurt on the bottom, followed by a spoonful of honey (if desired). Then add some fruit and top with granola.
2. Repeat the layering one more time, starting with more yogurt, honey, fruit, and granola.
3. Finally, you can add fresh mint leaves to garnish the parfait.