PARADISE PARFAIT
FRESH AND DELICIOUS
Anyone here craving FRUIT and lots of it?! I always get so excited when it is berry season. Sure, you can purchase berries all year long from the grocery store, but they are ever so tasty when it’s that time of year!
In the summertime, I’m especially grateful for fruit and seem to crave it every day!! I also start to incorporate fruit more into my recipes and today’s treat is so fruity and delicious that I think it will knock your socks off. It was perfectly combined with the fruit in this parfait making it a whole new treat and a NEW favorite!!
LAYER AND ENJOY!
CREAM MIXTURE. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and margarine (or butter) until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar and fold in whipped topping. Set aside. In a separate bowl mix pudding, milk, and vanilla. Fold this mixture in with the cream cheese mixture.
LAYER & REFRIGERATE. Layer fruit and creamy pudding mixture in cups and top with a whole strawberry. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
PARFAIT VARIATIONS
A great thing about these paradise parfaits is that you can easily change them up with your favorite fruits and whatever is in season. Some other delicious fruits include:
- Peaches
- Raspberries
- Bananas
- Cherries
- Kiwi
- Apricots
Aside from changing up the fruits, you can also add other delicious ingredients:
- Granola
- Chopped nuts
- Coconut flakes
- Mini chocolate chips or mini M&Ms
- Toffee Bits
Tips:
- Be sure to get INSTANT pudding not the kind you have to cook first
- To soften, cut the cream cheese into slices and let it sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes. You can speed up the process by microwaving it for 8-10 seconds. Flip the block to another side and microwave for 8-10 seconds. Be careful that you do not melt the cream cheese.
MAKE-AHEAD + STORE
Making this ahead of time gets a little tricky because of how the different fruits react after being cut. Some will brown quickly. Others will start dripping juices. You will have to use your judgment with the fruits that you choose to use, but generally speaking, making these the night before should be ok.
- One ingredient you can use is Fruit-Fresh. It will help keep your fruits from browning allowing you to assemble these ahead of time and still keep them looking fresh.
- Cover each parfait cup with plastic wrap and fasten it with a rubber band. Store in the fridge
STORE leftover paradise parfaits, covered in the fridge. You will notice the fruits will begin to become soggy or brown, but it will still be ok to eat for 2-3 more days.
PREP TIME 10 mins
REFRIGERATE1 hr
TOTAL TIME 1 hr 10 mins
SERVINGS 4 people
CALORIES 645 kcal
INGREDIENTS
- Strawberries hulled and halved
- pineapple cut up
- blackberries
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup margarine or butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 small container cool whip
- 1 box INSTANT white chocolate pudding or vanilla pudding
- 1 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese and margarine (or butter) until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar and fold in whipped topping. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl mix pudding, milk and vanilla. Fold this mixture in with the cream cheese mixture.
- Layer fruit and creamy pudding mixture in cups and top with a whole strawberry.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
NUTRITION
Serving: 4
Calories: 645kcal
Carbohydrates: 84g
Protein: 9g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Cholesterol: 41mg
Sodium: 460mg
Potassium: 619mg
Fiber: 7g
Sugar: 71g
Vitamin A: 1265IU
Vitamin C: 136mg
Calcium: 226mg
Iron: 1mg
