After a long, grueling winter there is nothing that delights our senses more than the sight of the first cheerful red strawberries at the local farmers market. It means sun-drenched, warmer days are here to stay for the foreseeable future, and cooking feels so last season. It’s the perfect opportunity to whip up this strawberry yogurt parfait.
Truly, my spring and summer are dominated by meals that require very little fuss and if possible- no heat producing indoor appliances. This sweet treat is a perfect example because it requires zero heat, and almost zero effort. And regarding the flavor, it lives up to it’s name— (parfait means “perfect” in French).
This parfait is made with simple ingredients and comes together in minutes with things you probably already have on hand. It’s a fun after school snack for kids, and a satisfying treat to whip up when you’ve got a friend coming over.
Ingredient Substitutions
- No homemade granola? Use store bought granola or crumbled cookies
- Strawberry substitutes– blueberries, raspberries and blackberries
- No maple syrup? Honey, coconut or maple sugar will be just as good
- Feeling extra decadent? Substitute ice cream for the yogurt
Recipe Tips & FAQ’s
- Always wash your strawberries before cutting them, because water makes the insides get soft and brown.
- What does macerated mean? Fruit that’s been soaked in a flavorful liquid gets softer and sweeter, enhancing its flavor and texture.
- Why whole milk yogurt? Fat is crucial for absorbing vitamins A,D & K. You won’t get their benefits from eating no fat yogurt.
- Can I make these ahead of time? Yes, they’ll keep in the fridge for one day.
Strawberry Yogurt Parfait Serving Suggestions
- Host an afternoon tea with friends and serve with cozy mugs of my favorite tea blend.
- Make ahead to enjoy as part of a cozy picnic spread.
- This is a great recipe to make with kids. Let them do the measuring and build the parfait.
- Pair it with my Tropical Green Smoothie for a sweet, healthy breakfast.
Storage and Shelf Life
Refrigerator: This parfait will hold well in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing this recipe.
Final Thoughts
This strawberry yogurt parfait is all drama, no fuss: you can play around with the presentation and make her look gorgeous, with very little effort. Always bright and cheerful, this gurl knows how to bring the flavor. Soaking the strawberries in citrus juices and a little maple syrup will make your strawberries sweeter and juicier- sounds like alchemy to me!
Have you tried this recipe? Let us know what you thought down in the comments- it really helps others discover the recipe and grow our community.
Strawberry Yogurt Parfait
Ingredients
- For the Strawberries
- 1/2 cup strawberries cut into bite size pieces
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- pinch orange zest
- 2 tablespoons orange juice freshly squeezed
- dash vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- For the Parfait
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt I prefer Bellweather Farms sheep yogurt
- 1/2 cup strawberry almond granola
Instructions
- Macerate the strawberries. Combine the sliced strawberries, maple syrup, orange zest, orange juice, vanilla extract and pinch of salt in a small bowl. Let the strawberries marinate for 5 minutes.
- Build the parfait. For the first layer, place half the yogurt in a glass or bowl.
- For the second layer, place half of the strawberries on top.
- For the third layer, cover the strawberries with half of the granola.
- Repeat the process.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until desired. It will last in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Hi, I’m Julia.
I’m a chef and wellness advocate passionate about helping others live well through nourishing food. I trained at the Culinary Institute of America and now work as a personal chef and community food advocate in Atlanta.
Want to know what inspired me to start Everyday Alchemy? Click the link icon below to read more.