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A Dessert Parfait is a creamy combination of a delicious fluffy pudding and fresh fruit. They are simply heavenly!
This Dessert Parfait is layered to make a delicious cool dessert! For more summer musts, try more fruity treats like Blueberry Galette or Fruit Pizza.
![A Dessert Parfait is a creamy combination of a delicious fluffy pudding and fresh fruit. They are simply heavenly! A dessert parfait layered in a glass and topped with a fresh strawberry.](https://lilluna.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/paradise-parfait-resize-2-scaled.jpg)
fresh and delicious
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.
Today’s treat is so fruity and delicious that I think it will knock your socks off.
A parfait is a layered treat. The creamy layer can be Ice Cream, yogurt, or pudding, while other layers consist of fruit. They often have layers of nuts, Granola, and syrup.
Yogurt Parfaits are often served as a healthy breakfast or snack, while pudding or ice cream parfaits are served as a dessert.
In fact, we typically make this dessert parfait as a sweet treat after dinner. The cream mixture comes from one of my favorite desserts: Dirt Cake.
It is perfectly combined with the fruit in this easy pineapple parfait dessert, making it a whole new treat and a NEW favorite!!
Layer and enjoy!
This strawberry pineapple cream cheese dessert is so easy to make and whips up in minutes! The hardest part is waiting to let it chill.
CREAM MIXTURE. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and 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 & CHILL. Layer fruit and creamy pudding mixture in cups and top with a whole strawberry. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
Recipe tips
Fruit. These Pudding Parfaits can be easily changed up with your favorite fruits and whatever is in season. Some other delicious fruits include peaches, raspberries, bananas, cherries, kiwis, and apricots.
Additions. Aside from changing up the fruits, add other delicious ingredients like granola, chopped nuts, coconut flakes, mini chocolate chips or mini M&Ms, or toffee bits.
Pudding. Be sure to use INSTANT pudding, not cook-n-serve.
Soften cream cheese. Cut the cream cheese into slices and let it sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes.
Storing Info
Make ahead of time. 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. Use your judgment with the chosen fruits, but generally speaking, making these the night before should be ok.
- Use Fruit-Fresh powder. 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 Strawberry Pineapple Parfait covered in the fridge. The fruits will begin to become soggy or brown, but it will still be ok to eat for 2-3 more days.
Recipe FAQ
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 to not melt the cream cheese.
Because the fruits can start to brown and get mushy, I don’t recommend making these any earlier than the night before.
For more Layered Desserts, try:
- Grasshopper Parfaits
- Brownies and Cream Fruit Trifle
- Oreo Peanut Butter Delight
- Angel Food Cake Trifle
- Dirt Cake Parfaits
Dessert Parfait Recipe
Ingredients
- Strawberries hulled and halved
- pineapple cut up
- blackberries
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine
- 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 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter (or margarine) 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
can you make the Cool Whip/cream cheese topping the night before and then add it to the fruit the next day?
My kids loved their “fancy” breakfast and it was so easy to make. Mom win!
This is my family’s new favorite dessert! It is so yummy we all enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing another awesome recipe.
These paradise parfaits are AMAZING! so easy to make and loaded with sweet flavors. A great summer holiday dessert.
Such an easy recipe! So yummy!
We love these parfaits!! We make them all summer! We crave fruit & of course, it’s even better with the filling!
Such a great flavor of pudding and fruit. A great dessert for summertime.
Could you make these the night before?
I am sure you could, though I am not sure if the fruit would get soggy or anything like that. I personally haven’t made them that far in advance. I think it should be ok.
These are so insane! Love the presentation
Thanks so much!! I hope you try them:) They are delish!!
Love how delicious these look, so fresh and the cream cheese cream yum!!
The cream cheese cream makes these sooo good!! Thanks so much!!