Strawberry Parfait Recipe (2024)

By David Tanis

Updated Oct. 11, 2023

Strawberry Parfait Recipe (1)

Total Time
15 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Rating
4(176)
Notes
Read community notes

Ricotta cream — sweetened fresh ricotta, lightly whipped — is used in Sicily to fill cannoli or frost traditional cakes. Here, it’s combined with whipped cream and strawberries for a layered “parfait” and a very simple but impressive dessert.

Featured in: A ‘Steak’ Dinner With Vegetarians in Mind

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have

    10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers.

    Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Print Options

    Include recipe photo

Advertisem*nt

Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 1pint strawberries, trimmed and sliced (about 2 cups)
  • 1lemon, zested, plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼cup confectioners’ sugar
  • ½cup whipping cream
  • 1cup fresh ricotta

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

241 calories; 16 grams fat; 10 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 21 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 13 grams sugars; 6 grams protein; 80 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Strawberry Parfait Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Put strawberries in a bowl and add 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Toss with 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar and set aside.

  2. Step

    2

    Make the ricotta cream: In a medium bowl, beat whipping cream with a whisk until soft peaks form. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar, then fold in ricotta and lemon zest.

  3. Step

    3

    Spoon the strawberries into 4 dessert glasses. Top with ricotta cream and smooth to cover. Refrigerate for up to 6 hours, but serve at cool room temperature.

Ratings

4

out of 5

176

user ratings

Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.

Cooking Notes

Stella Luna

Ricotta cream! Not too sweet, elegantly simple. I might try halving the sugar and adding almond extract or a liquor. Imagine it over fresh peaches.

Luisa

Wouldn't you just double the ingredients? Anyway, I hope so as I'm going to be doing just that tomorrow night.Don't see any reason why you couldn't serve out of one big bowl. It just wouldn't be as elegant as individual servings.

stephanie

if you want a single vessel, a baking dish would probably be best so you have equal distribution of ricotta and berries for each person. or layer it in a trifle dish. basically anything that doesn't taper too much toward the bottom.

Nicole

Very disappointed! Ricotta did not work well. Grainy and bland. Maybe try with mascarpone?

CT MOM

Made last night. Used raspberries because that’s what I had. Super easy and delicious. Why am I just finding out I should add fresh ricotta to whipping cream? There’s no going back now! Lemon zest was great touch.

Stef

This is really delicious. The flavor of the zest on the topping, and the lemon juuce with strawberries is very light and fresh. The texture of the ricotta with the whipped cream makes this interesting, too. Such a simple and tasty dessert!

Mary F

Grated additional lemon zest on top of cream. Topped with a hulled, fan sliced berry and a tiny mint leaf. Next time will sprinkle some freeze dried strawberry powder on top.

Leeee

Fantastic. The lemon zest wakes it all up, and the small amount of cream in ratio to the ricotta keeps it from being grossly mouth coating. Don't skip the step of the little bit of sugar with lemon juice to the lemons: huzzah!

PV

I had no idea where to buy fresh ricotta, so I made my own with a half gallon of whole milk, lemon juice, and a little salt. Wow. So smooth. I'll never buy ricotta again. Fresh ricotta in this dessert gives the whipped cream the body and oomph it lacks. It offers the lightness ice cream lacks. Simple. Elegant. Delicious.

Valerie

Loved this. For two, made half the topping on a full pint of strawberries :) I think either you like ricotta or not -- it is what it is!

Kristine

I loved this. Because I couldn’t get fresh ricotta, I used Trader Joe’s whole milk ricotta, which I blitzed in a food processor with about 1 tb. whipping cream to smooth out. I used Meyer lemon juice and zest. I spooned the wonderful creamy sauce over blackberries and strawberries! I’ll be making this again and again.

Linda

I like to beat the ricotta so it’s smoother.

Irina

Love it, so fresh so simple. You need good fresh ricotta

Roslyn MacGuire

Did not care for this recipe at all! Too bland

Mary

I loved this. Very simple to make but very satisfying and many variations possible.

Claudia

It would have enjoyed a simple ice cream topping better! Ricotta flavir not to my taste or my guests.

Lele Paulson

I made this yesterday for lunch with my sister. We agreed the ricotta/lemon zest combination doesn't work; it made the topping quite grainy. The addition of the confectioner's sugar and lemon juice to the strawberries was great, however. Accordingly, I'm going to stick to plain whipped cream for the topping in the future.

SullyCyn

I made this recipe last week, and found it rather boring. The ricotta did not seem to add much flavor; some of the comments about "graininess" are helpful, so maybe I will try a different brand. I think that adding kirsch and/or almond extract might help, but I am still not convinced that the ricotta was a worthwhile ingredient to include; I feel like macerated berries with a bit of liquor and cream would have been just fine, perhaps with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

dimmerswitch

For cooks who found the ricotta texture grainy or 'wrong', it may be because of the brand of ricotta used. For this kind of dish it needs to be whole milk ricotta, not part skim / reduced fat. And I wouldn't choose a brand like Polly-O here either. No knock on the brand but it is grainier. Look for Bellwether brand basket ricotta or Belgioioso brand Ricotta con Latte or even Galbani. This is a lovely, simple and luxurious dessert; or breakfast - who would judge?

Megan

I really think marscapone is the better choice here. I made this recipe and the texture was just not right.

JM

Too bland for my taste. Rather than ricotta, I might try mascarpone or creme fraiche. Would improve the texture and add a little tang.

Private notes are only visible to you.

Strawberry Parfait Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a strawberry parfait made of? ›

This quick and simple parfait features sliced strawberries tossed with a small amount of sugar to draw out the juice from the berries. The creamy layer is nonfat Greek yogurt that offers a tangy flavor and a texture thick enough to keep the layers separate.

What is parfait made of? ›

In France, parfait refers to a frozen dessert made from a base of sugar syrup, egg, and cream. A parfait contains enough fat, sugar, alcohol, and to a lesser extent, air, to allow it to be made by stirring infrequently while freezing, making it possible to create in a home kitchen without specialist equipment.

How long does strawberry parfait last in the fridge? ›

Top with the remaining yogurt mixture and another 1/2 cup berries then stick in the fridge. These parfaits stay good for up to 3 days post-assembly, so grab and go throughout the week for a convenient, healthy, and filling breakfast.

What is an original parfait? ›

The parfait originated in France around 1890, where it was conceived as a frozen custard made by boiling eggs, sugar, and cream. In French, the word appropriately means "perfect." Over the years since, the parfait has been reimagined as a layered dessert served in a clear glass.

How long do homemade parfaits last? ›

It's usually finished with some berries on top and often a bit of honey. While you can make these tasty dishes the same day for breakfast or dessert, they can also be made ahead in a sealable jar, such as a mason jar. Kitchn notes that if the dish is covered and refrigerated, it will last for about three days.

What is a substitute for yogurt in parfait? ›

1) Blended cottage cheese

Cottage cheese is a great swap for greek yogurt because it's also lower in calorie, packed with protein, and has a much more mild flavor making it an easy addition to recipes.

What do you add to parfait? ›

These parfaits are often topped with fresh fruit, granola, and whipped cream, and there are no hard-and-fast rules for add-ons. They can be savory, like this cucumber yogurt parfait; sweet, like this candy corn parfait; or anything in between.

Is parfait made of yogurt? ›

What are yogurt parfaits? It sounds fancy, but in reality it's just layers of yogurt and fresh or frozen fruit that has been topped with a scoop of granola.

Is yogurt and strawberries a good breakfast? ›

This unique sweet and savory combo may surprise you in the very best way – and it may even become your next regular breakfast choice! The combination of Greek yogurt and strawberries offers nutrients, like probiotics and fiber, which can support good digestive health.

How to prepare and serve strawberries? ›

Eat raw with cream or ice cream or sprinkled with a little balsamic vinegar. Add to fruit salads. Use to make jam, tarts or to top puddings.

Why did McDonald's get rid of yogurt parfait? ›

Menu items like salads, grilled chicken and fruit and yogurt parfaits were removed from McDonald's offerings. Like the nixing of all-day breakfast in 2020, these healthy options were removed in order to make service more efficient for the more popular menu items.

Are parfaits good for you? ›

Parfaits make a filling, nutritious breakfast or tasty snack. Plus, certain types may contain fiber and protein that help manage blood sugar levels.

How do you keep yogurt parfait from getting soggy? ›

After some experimentation, we found that layering your fruit between the yogurt and granola keeps the granola from getting soggy. And isn't that the whole point? That CRUNCH!

What's the difference between yogurt and parfait? ›

What is the difference between yogurt and parfait? Yogurt is a thick milk-based product that is sold plain or with other flavorings such as fruit and sweetener. A parfait, on the other hand, is a layered dessert typically consisting of yogurt, fresh or frozen fruit and berries, ice cream, and whipped topping.

What is strawberry yogurt made of? ›

Ingredients. Cultured Grade A Low Fat Milk, Sugar, Strawberries, Modified Food Starch, Water. Contains 1% or less of: Corn Starch, Tricalcium Phosphate, Carmine (for color), Pectin, Natural Flavor, Kosher Gelatin, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3.

Are parfait a healthy snack? ›

In particular, parfaits make a filling, nutritious meal or snack that you can customize to be diabetes-friendly. Most parfaits are made with layered yogurt, granola, and fresh or dried fruit, though they may also contain toppings such as nuts, seeds, spices, and cocoa nibs.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ms. Lucile Johns

Last Updated:

Views: 6703

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ms. Lucile Johns

Birthday: 1999-11-16

Address: Suite 237 56046 Walsh Coves, West Enid, VT 46557

Phone: +59115435987187

Job: Education Supervisor

Hobby: Genealogy, Stone skipping, Skydiving, Nordic skating, Couponing, Coloring, Gardening

Introduction: My name is Ms. Lucile Johns, I am a successful, friendly, friendly, homely, adventurous, handsome, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.