This strawberry shortcake parfait recipe is the perfect sweet dessert or snack! Its creamy vanilla pudding filling is layered with crumbled shortbread cookies, ripened strawberries, and sweet whipped cream.
This no-bake, high-protein recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make. It’s the perfect sweet treat to whip up anytime!
This recipe is my go-to dessert, snack, or even breakfast! Due to its high protein content, it makes for a delicious breakfast—you would just substitute the shortbread cookies for granola! This dish is super quick to prepare, lower in sugar, high in protein, and perfect for the whole family.
Make this recipe the night before and store it in mason jars in the fridge for a quick breakfast, dessert, or snack at any time!
For another delicious, sweet, and high-protein recipe, see my Easy Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt Recipe!
Strawberry Parfait Ingredients
The best thing about this recipe is that it is only seven (7) ingredients! You already have many of these ingredients in your fridge or pantry! For this delicious and flavorful strawberry shortcake parfait recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Strawberries—While fresh strawberries are preferred for this recipe, you can substitute frozen strawberries or strawberry jam!
- Sugar– I used a little granulated sugar for the strawberries, but feel free to use your sweetener of choice!
- Greek Yogurt—Because of its high protein content and thick consistency, I recommend Greek yogurt for this recipe, but you can also use plain yogurt or vegan yogurt.
- Vanilla instant pudding mix—Using instant pudding mix powders is such a smart hack! I recommend this mix because it makes the yogurt mixture taste like custard! Feel free to use sugar-free if preferred.
- Lemon juice—This recipe prefers fresh lemon juice, which adds the perfect lemon flavor to the creamy custard-like filling!
- Shortbread cookies– I recommend using prepackaged shortbread cookies for this recipe for a super quick dessert hack.
- Whipped cream—Whipped cream is the perfect addition to this recipe, but you can also use Cool Whip or omit it entirely.
See recipe card for additional details and quantities.
Step-by-Step Video of Strawberry Shortcake Parfait
Strawberry Shortcake Parfait Instructions
For the full instructions and measurements for making this delicious recipe, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
Use the following step-by-step instructions for how to make this super-easy strawberry shortcake parfait recipe:
Prep the strawberries by rinsing, draining well, and dicing into small pieces. Add to a small mixing bowl with sugar. Mix well and set aside.
In a separate small mixing bowl, mix the yogurt, instant pudding mix, and lemon juice thoroughly until completely combined. Set aside.
Assemble your strawberry shortcake parfaits. Start by adding a layer of crumbled cookies to the bottom.
Then add an even layer of creamy yogurt mixture.
Add a thin layer of the strawberries. Repeat the layering steps one more time.
Then top each parfait with more strawberries and whipped cream. Serve and enjoy! Store in the fridge until ready to serve, but can be eaten immediately.
Hint: If you do not have fresh or frozen strawberries on hand, use strawberry jam instead! If using strawberry jam as a substitution, omit the sugar ingredient step in the recipe card below.
Strawberry Shortcake Substitutions
This strawberry shortcake parfait is so simple to prepare, and substituting ingredients is easy for allergy—and diet-friendly alternatives!
- Vegan – instead of using regular yogurt, shortbread cookies, and whipped cream, feel free to substitute vegan alternatives!
- Gluten-free – use gluten-free pre-made shortbread cookies for an easy gluten-free alternative!
- Egg-Free—This recipe is high in protein and naturally egg-free! Just make sure your shortbread cookies do not contain eggs.
These are my favorite shortbread cookies for this recipe!
Strawberry Parfait Variations
This recipe is easily customizable with multiple variations of toppings and serving suggestions:
Topping Variations:
- Chopped nuts
- Sea salt
- Granola
- Bananas
- Hemp seeds
- Raisons
- Muesli
- Graham crackers
- Pretzels
- Strawberries
- Crumbled rice cakes
- Cocoa nibs
- Peanut butter!
Flavor Variations:
- Peach
- Mango
- Blueberry
- Cherry
- Banana
- Apple
- Pumpkin
Equipment
The recommended equipment for this recipe is two small mixing bowls and two clear glass decorative ramekins.
I recommend clear glass ramekins so your family and friends can see the delicious layers!
Here are some similar glass decorative ramekins that I used for this recipe!
Parfait Storage
If you do not eat your entire bowl of creamy strawberry shortcake parfait, you can store this recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days!
You can also make this recipe the night before and store it in mason jars in the fridge for a quick breakfast, dessert, or snack at any time!
I do not recommend freezing this recipe as a whole parfait. However, you can use the remaining yogurt mixture to create yogurt bark, which you can store in the freezer for a quick, delicious treat!
Top tips
- Make this recipe the night before and store it in mason jars in the fridge for a quick breakfast, dessert, or snack at any time!
- Using instant pudding mix powders is such a smart hack! I recommend this mix because it makes the yogurt mixture taste like custard! Feel free to use sugar-free if preferred.
- I recommend prepackaged shortbread cookies for this recipe for a quick dessert hack.
- If you do not have fresh or frozen strawberries on hand, use strawberry jam instead! If using strawberry jam as a substitution, omit the sugar ingredient step in the recipe card below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A strawberry parfait typically has three layers: a sweet strawberry layer with fresh strawberries, a creamy layer of yogurt or custard, and a cookie, granola, or cake layer.
The base of a parfait is typically a creamy layer which typically consists of either: whole milk yogurt, Greek yogurt, whipped cream, pudding, or custard.
There are quite a few toppings that are best for a parfait. Topping suggestions: Chopped nuts, granola, bananas, hemp seeds, raisins, graham crackers, pretzels
chocolate, cocoa nibs, or peanut butter.
Related
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Strawberry Shortcake Parfait Recipe
Equipment
- 2 Mixing bowls Small
- 2 Parfait ramekins
Ingredients
Strawberry Shortcake Parfait Recipe
- 1 Cup Strawberries rinsed, drained, and diced into small pieces
- 1 Tsp Sugar
- 2 Cups Greek Yogurt
- 2 Tbsp Vanilla instant pudding mix
- 1 Tbsp Lemon juice
- 4 Shortbread cookies
- 1/2 Cup Whipped cream plus more for the layers
Instructions
Strawberry Shortcake Parfait Recipe
- Prep the strawberries by rinsing, draining well, and dicing into small pieces. Add to a small mixing bowl with sugar. Mix well and set aside.
- In a separate small mixing bowl, mix the yogurt, instant pudding mix, and lemon juice thoroughly until completely combined. Set aside.
- Assemble your strawberry shortcake parfaits. Start with layering a layer of the yogurt pudding mixture, then crumble 1 shortbread cookie on top, then add a thin layer of the strawberries. Repeat the layering steps one more time.
- Then top each parfait with more strawberries and whipped cream. Serve and enjoy! Store in the fridge until ready to serve but can be eaten immediately.
Super easy to make and super delish 😋