These individual Berry Parfaits are layered with fluffy vanilla pudding, tender pound cake bites, and juicy fresh berries. It’s the perfect low-maintenance dessert for the summer, no matter the occasion.
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Use your favorite combination of berries, experiment with different pudding flavors, or add extra layers of cookies, jam, or whipped cream to make them your own.
Berry Parfaits Recipe
When the weather warms up, one of my favorite ways to enjoy the season is with a simple, beautiful, and seasonal dessert. So many fruits, like berries, are at their peak over the summer. This means it doesn’t take much to get something delicious out of them!
Email This Recipe
Get a link to this recipe emailed so you can save it for later + get all the latest Carefree Kitchen recipes!
By submitting this form you consent to receive emails from The Carefree Kitchen
These parfaits feel super special without requiring loads of time in the kitchen. Plus, they’re served in individual portions, so they are perfect for entertaining.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Endlessly customizable. The ingredients list in this recipe is just a suggestion. There are so many ways to make these parfaits your own, depending on what you have around and what you like. Swap out different fruits, pudding flavors, cakes, and toppings.
- Easy to make ahead. Most of the components can be prepared in advance, making assembly quick and stress-free when you’re ready to serve.
- Fresh and perfect for summer: Sweet, juicy berries paired with creamy pudding create a light, refreshing dessert that’s perfect for warm-weather.
Key Ingredients You Will Need
- Fresh Berries: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries—really any berries will work here!
- Instant Pudding Mix: vanilla is a safe choice, but feel free to experiment here! White chocolate, banana, or coconut cream all come to mind as delicious flavors to try out.
- Milk: this is whisked together with the pudding mix before folding in the whipped cream.
- Pound Cake: I love to make these parfaits with pound cake because it’s a sturdy cake that won’t just become instantly mushy once you add the berries and pudding. Any other kind of denser cake will also work. Just cut them into small bite-sized pieces.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: whip the cream to stiff peaks before folding it into the pudding.
How to Make Berry Parfaits
- Make the pudding mixture. Whisk together the instant pudding mix and milk until smooth and thickened, about 2 minutes. In a separate bowl, whip the cream to stiff peaks, then fold it into the pudding.
- Assemble the parfaits. Add a layer of pound cake cubes, followed by a layer of the pudding mixture. Top with diced strawberries, then another layer of pudding, followed by a layer of blueberries. Top each with a little extra pudding or whipped cream.
- Serve. Garnish with fresh berries and whipped cream. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
- Try out different kinds of instant pudding. There are so many flavors beyond vanilla! A few that might taste good are banana cream, coconut, white chocolate, or cheesecake.
- Use different kinds of fruit. In addition to berries, try adding mangoes, peaches, pineapple, apricots, or cherries.
- Add a layer of crushed cookies. A little extra crunch and texture would taste amazing! You can crush up Oreos, shortbread cookies, Nilla Wafers, or even sugar cookies.
- Swirl in jam. Just a little swirl of raspberry, strawberry, or apricot jam would go a long way!
- Substitute ice cream. Instead of the pudding mix, you could substitute vanilla ice cream.
Storage Instructions
- Storing leftovers: these parfaits are best enjoyed the day they are prepared but will also keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
More You’ll Love
These Berry Parfaits with pound cake and fresh berries are a simple, low-effort dessert perfect for any occasion. They look impressive, but couldn’t be easier to put together.
Leave your rating below!
If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you—it helps me and other readers too!
Follow below for more recipes!
Berry Parfait Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries, sliced (reserve 3/4 cup for garnish)
- 1 3.4 ounce instant pudding mix packet
- 2 cups milk
- 1 pound pound cake, cut into 3/4" cubes
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Garnish
- 3 sprigs mint
Instructions
- Wash, hull and slice the strawberries, then set aside about 3/4 cup for garnish.
Make the Pudding Mixture
- In a large bowl, whisk together the instant pudding mix and milk until smooth and thickened, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
- Add the heavy cream to the bowl of a stand mixer and whip on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Turn off the mixer, then gently fold in the whipped cream using a rubber spatula, until the mixture is fully combined and no streaks remain.
Assemble the Parfaits
- Divide the pound cake cubes evenly among six 9-ounce clear plastic cups. Spoon a layer of the pudding mixture over the pound cake, then add a layer of the diced strawberries.
- Add another spoonful of the pudding mixture, followed by a layer of the blueberries.
- Top each parfait with the remaining pudding mixture or a dollop of whipped cream. Garnish with the remaining fresh berries and mint springs. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this?
Don’t forget to leave a rating below and make sure to follow on Pinterest, Instagram and Tiktok for more!
More Berry Dessert Recipes
Categories:
4th of July, Desserts, Holiday Favorites, Nut-Free, Spring Recipes, Summer Recipes, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian,
