Red Velvet Berry Parfaits

It's time to celebrate once again, the last summer hurrah.   Labor Day weekend is almost here and boy do I have a wonderful dessert for you!

I saw a recipe on Rattlebridge Farm  for a Red Velvet Berry Crumble and was so wowed by it that I new I was going to do a variation of my own...parfait style.  It's the perfect red, white, and blue dessert to go along with many holidays such as Memorial Day, 4th of July (Independence Day) and especially Labor Day.

Since I only wanted to make a few of these parfaits, I took some help from my grocery store and bought 2 slices of red velvet cake and deconstructed them for my parfaits.  You could use red velvet cupcakes, brownies, or pound cake.  I've seen most of these in our local Ralphs market.  Add some vanilla or cheesecake flavored pudding, some berries, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream all layered in pretty dishes and you are set.  Easy as pie!

The taste is unbelievable too.  I mean, who doesn't love red velvet cake?  There are whole books just on the stuff.  It's the bomb, and is highlighted in this dish!

So if you are planning a get together, BBQ, or any family gathering for the weekend, this is the perfect dessert.  Hope you enjoy it...we gobbled it up!



Red Velvet Berry Parfaits

serves 4

1 pkg. sugar-free vanilla pudding (or cheesecake flavored)
2 c 2% milk
2 store bought red velvet cake slices (or cupcakes, brownies, pound cake, etc.)
handful of fresh blueberries
handful of fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
handful of fresh raspberries

vanilla ice cream 

Make the vanilla pudding according to package directions using the milk.  Allow to set up in the refrigerator for 5 minutes before using.  

Cube the red velvet cakes and place several in the bottom of 4 dishes or glasses.  Top with a large dollop of pudding.  Add a few more pieces of red velvet cake and divide all the berries among all the glasses.  Top each with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Place a blueberry on top.  Serve.

Banana Pudding Parfait

I think this dish is a Southern staple...

I also think this dish is the perfect dessert for spring and summer.

Who doesn't love a creamy pudding?  And when you layer it with ripe bananas and some vanilla wafers that soften to a cake-like consistency over time...mmmnnn!  Heaven!

There are so many variations of Banana pudding out there but I wanted to share with you my mom's version.

To make this easy for entertaining I took the recipe and created parfaits with it.  Speaking of entertaining, Memorial Day Weekend is coming up.  We always celebrate with a big barbecue and this would be the PERFECT dessert!

I hope you try my mom's version of this soul soothing dessert.  It's one that everyone will enjoy!

Banana Pudding Parfaits


Servings: 6

For the Pudding: 
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Heaping 1/4 teaspoon salt
6 egg yolks
3-1/2 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

For Assembling:
3-4 large bananas, very ripe but not mushy, sliced
1 box Vanilla Wafers

For Topping (Optional)
Whipped Cream or Non-Dairy Whipped Topping
Meringue

In a medium saucepan, stir together the sugar, cornstarch, salt and yolks. Whisk in the milk and bring to simmer, stirring frequently, over medium heat 5-8 minutes. When the mixture starts to bubble, turn the heat down to low and continue cooking, whisking constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove the pan from the heat and immediately whisk in the butter and vanilla. 

Transfer the mixture to a bowl and place a piece of plastic wrap or waxed paper directly over the pudding to prevent a film from forming. Chill in the refrigerator until cool about 2 hours.

To assemble, place one vanilla wafer in the bottom of each parfait glass. Spoon a large dollop of the pudding on top. Add a layer of vanilla wafers standing up against the sides of the glasses . Layer on some sliced bananas on top of the pudding. Repeat layers with pudding, vanilla wafers around the sides, and bananas layered to the top of the dish. Top with whipped cream or whipped topping, or some baked meringue for an authentic banana pudding. Top with a vanilla cookie or crumbs if desired.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Spiced Plum and Blueberry Parfait

One of my go to meals for breakfast on the weekend when I'm in a hurry is a smoothie or a parfait.

What better than a parfait to get your dairy, fruits, and some crunchy granola in to your diet.  It's healthy for you!  Great source of vitamins, calcium, fibers, and other goodies...

So today I'm bringing your a fall parfait. A Spiced Plum and Blueberry Parfait.   Full of warm spices.  Cinnamon to be exact.  Do you like Cinnamon?  It's a warm, wonderful, aromatic spice.  I could roll around in it!  But I digress...back to the parfait.

So, this parfait has some late summer/autumn fruits in it.  A nice black plum that been peeled, and sliced, and then tossed with cinnamon.  Also blueberries compliment this very well.  I also used a honey and almond granola which also lends to the warmth.

This is easy to put together.  I'm all about easy!

Just peel and slice your plums.  Then sprinkle a little cinnamon on them.  Not too much, it can be strong.

Now you want to take some yogurt plain or vanilla, plain Greek if you like, (I used plain Greek) and add a touch of cinnamon, and stir it up.  This will add another layer to your fall flavors.

Here's how  you layer it.  Place some of the yogurt in your glass.  Add some sliced plums, blueberries, and granola.  Repeat, ending with the granola.

Voila! You are done.  A healthy breakfast, or snack in a flash!  Enjoy, the flavors are really delishhhh!

Ummm...soooo good!

Spiced Plum and Blueberry Parfait

serves 1

1 black plum, peeled and sliced

1/4 tsp (heaping) cinnamon for sprinkling

1 6oz container of plain Greek or vanilla yogurt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3 T blueberries

3 T honey and almond granola

Directions:

Peel and slice your plum.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.  Set aside.

In a small bowl mix your yogurt and cinnamon together until incorporated.  In a glass begin to layer your parfait.  Place 1/2 of the yogurt mixture in the bottom of the glass.  Add 1/2 of the spiced plums, 1 1/2 T of blueberries, and 1 1/2 T of granola.  Repeat layers ending with the granola.

Enjoy!