Save to Pinterest A festive brunch parfait bar featuring layers of creamy yogurt, spiced Christmas pudding, fruit compotes, and crunchy toppings—perfect for holiday gatherings.
This festive parfait bar quickly became my holiday go-to. Guests love customizing their layers which makes brunch interactive and fun.
Ingredients
- Parfait Base: 500 g thick Greek yogurt (or dairy-free alternative), 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- Christmas Pudding Layer: 250 g Christmas pudding (store-bought or homemade) crumbled
- Fruit Compote: 200 g mixed berries (fresh or frozen), 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Toppings: 100 g granola, 50 g toasted nuts (such as pecans or almonds) chopped, 50 g dried cranberries or raisins, 1 apple diced, 1 orange segmented, 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the fruit compote:
- In a small saucepan, combine berries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until berries soften and the mixture thickens. Let cool to room temperature.
- Mix parfait base:
- In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with vanilla extract and honey (or maple syrup) until smooth.
- Set up parfait bar:
- Arrange the yogurt, crumbled Christmas pudding, cooled fruit compote, and all toppings in separate bowls.
- Assemble parfaits:
- Layer yogurt, Christmas pudding, and fruit compote in glasses or jars. Top with granola, nuts, dried fruit, apple, orange, pomegranate seeds, cinnamon, and fresh mint.
- Serve:
- Let guests build their own parfaits according to their preferences.
Save to Pinterest My family looks forward to this parfait every holiday season; gathering around the table to build our own creations is a treasured tradition.
Serving Suggestions
Serve chilled with a sprinkle of cinnamon and fresh mint leaves for extra festive flair.
Variations
Try swapping the Christmas pudding for gingerbread or fruitcake and experiment with different fruit compotes like spiced apple or plum.
Storage
Assemble parfaits just before serving for best texture. Store pudding and compote separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Save to Pinterest This Christmas pudding yogurt parfait bar combines festive flavors and textures for a memorable holiday treat every year.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I prepare the fruit compote in advance?
Yes, the fruit compote can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Just rewarm or serve chilled when layering your parfait.
- → What alternatives are there for Christmas pudding?
Gingerbread or fruitcake pieces work well as substitutes for the Christmas pudding layer.
- → Is there a dairy-free option for the yogurt base?
You can use thick dairy-free yogurt alternatives such as coconut or almond yogurt to keep it creamy.
- → How can I make this parfait bar gluten-free?
Use gluten-free pudding and granola varieties, and verify all toppings to avoid gluten-containing ingredients.
- → What toppings pair best with the layers?
Granola, toasted nuts like pecans or almonds, dried cranberries, fresh apple and orange segments, pomegranate seeds, cinnamon, and fresh mint provide contrasting textures and flavors.