DIY Dessert Idea: A Parfait Bar

We have to admit dessert might be our favorite meal. We’ve covered special holiday desserts for Thanksgiving and Easter, to sweet treats you can enjoy any time of year, like brownies and berries. In this post, we’ll help you set up a parfait bar. We love this dessert idea because you can customize it for breakfast or dessert, for kids or adults, and according to what’s in season or what you have on hand. Keep reading to see what we mean.

French vs. American

First, we’d like to clarify that we’ll focus on American parfaits, which differ from the French dessert called parfait. In France, parfait refers to a frozen dessert made from simple syrup, egg yolks, and whipped cream, with other added flavors and ingredients, depending on the recipe you choose. We found this simple Parfait au Cafe recipe on Mon Petit Four that looks delicious, should you want to try the French version of parfait.

Parfait Ingredients: Cream

An American parfait includes alternating layers of cream and mix-ins. We’ll start with options for the cream. Of course, whipped cream is light and fluffy, and it won’t compete with the flavors of your mix-ins. You can whip it yourself, or opt for ready-made whipped topping. Add some sugar and vanilla extract to homemade whipped cream to dress it up.

We also love yogurt as an ingredient for parfaits. Choose from regular or Greek yogurt, flavored or plain. We’re partial to plain Greek yogurt, which can help balance the sweetness of mix-ins. Greek yogurt also has an airy texture that’s similar to whipped cream, with less fat and more nutrition.

Finally, don’t forget ice cream or frozen yogurt. Let it soften, just as you would when making an ice cream cake, and whip it in the bowl of your stand mixer to make it light and smooth. You’ll be able to add dollops to your parfait glass, in between layers of mix-ins. We recommend basic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry, without any chips or chunks.

Parfait Ingredients: Mix-Ins

Think about all the mix-ins available at the frozen yogurt shop when considering what to offer on your parfait bar. Fresh fruit is a classic choice, including whole raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. You can also chop strawberries, peaches, mangoes, and bananas into a small dice and add those to the mix.

Nuts and granola are ideal mix-ins for yogurt-based parfaits. Take note of whether your guests have any nut allergies though. You may not want to set those items out in bowls, but set them aside for anyone who’d like to add them.

Open bags of baking chips or chunks, whether they are chocolate, peanut butter, toffee, or any of the gourmet varieties available in the baking aisle. You can also chop candy bars or cookies into small pieces. Take a tip from our post on trifle recipes and try adding chunks of brownies or cake.

While most adults probably wouldn’t go for gummies, kids will be thrilled if you offer gummy bears or worms or other squishy treats to add to their parfaits. Don’t be surprised if they snack on a few gummies while assembling their parfaits.

Parfait Assembly Tips

We have to insist that you use clear glass dishes for your parfaits. Part of the fun is seeing all the layers of goodies in your creation. You don’t need to buy special parfait glasses or bowls. Simply use regular drinking glasses. Just be sure your spoons are long enough to reach the bottom.

While you can assemble parfaits in advance and bring them out to serve for dessert, we think assembly is also part of the fun for guests. This approach also helps avoid soggy mix-ins, as some are prone to absorbing the liquid in the cream, like crispy cookies and granola.

Finally, though you don’t need whipped cream and a cherry for the top of each parfait, this would be a special touch to make these DIY desserts even more fun.