The 3-Ingredient Dessert I Can’t Wait To Eat All Summer Long

I’ve been telling any friends who will listen that it’s parfait season. “Mark my words,” I effuse, loudly and passionately, “It’s the snack of the summer.” At first, I’m met with blank stares, but with some convincing, I win them over. After all, the evidence is all there: In many ways, the parfait is like a sundae or a personal handheld trifle—and what’s not to love about that? Whether you opt for ice cream, custard, yogurt, or fluffy whipped cream, the perfect parfait holds layers of creamy goodness with endless possibilities. Plus, it’s served refreshingly cold.

At its most basic, it’s just two or three ingredients: yogurt or cream, fruit, and nuts or granola. But let your creativity run wild with additions like crumbled cookies or even chocolate. After all, it’s up to you when you make your own—there are no rules.

Why Parfaits Are the Perfect Summer Treat

Ice cream melts fast, and parfaits, well, don’t. It’s a great way to use up the dregs of frozen fruit bags in the freezer, leftover fresh fruit from a farmer’s market bounty, or a few extra scoops of your favorite strawberry jam. Have graham crackers or Nilla wafers on hand? Crumble them over the top, and enjoy. Whether or not this simple treat actually gains momentum, I’m quite certain I’ll be digging into my fair share of homemade parfait combinations all summer long.

What Exactly Is a Parfait?

The parfait originated as a special French dessert in the 19th century, consisting of layers of boiled cream, egg custard, or meringue, with fruit, nuts, and even fancy liqueurs. Since then, the parfait has gained popularity as a breakfast dish made with yogurt and varying levels of sweetness. These are typically called more aptly “yogurt parfaits” or “fruit parfaits” to distinguish them from their early French confectionery counterparts.

How To Make a Parfait

• Place a generous scoop or two of your choice of creamy base, such as yogurt, whipped cream, or custard, into a cup.
• Add a layer of fruit. Fresh-cut fruit or fruit compote, such as jam or jelly, are common choices, but this layer can consist of frozen fruit if you’re making the parfait ahead of time and plan to enjoy it later.
• Add a layer of something crunchy and nutty, like chopped nuts, sweet and salty granola, or crumbled cookies.
• Repeat the process until the cup is full. Enjoy immediately or store in the refrigerator for later cravings.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Parfait

• If you don’t have fresh fruit, swap in frozen fruit. Not only is it cooler and more refreshing, but it also allows you to make the parfaits ahead of time, so they’re ready to go and easy to tote and keep cold.
• Don’t overfill your cup. The great delight of the parfait is the layers, and while it’s tempting to scoop in ample amounts of everything, it’s important to practice some restraint and trust that as you scoop, you’ll get the perfect ratio of fruit, nuts or granola, and creamy yogurt.
• Repurpose your favorite vacuum-sealed mugs, cups, or mason jars. Prepare the parfaits in reusable vessels, chill them in the fridge or freezer, then keep them on ice in your poolside cooler until ready to enjoy.