Cherry Vanilla Parfaits

Labor Day, the official end of summer is here.  I am looking forward to the fall weather and really hoping that we get more than a few nice days before it turns completely cold.  Fall also means football. My older boys six-man football season has begun, they won their first game last Friday and I am looking forward to their home games this week.  Otherwise, if I don’t get some real work done this week, the work police are going to come and arrest me.  I am telling myself this in hopes of motivation and focus, two things I have been lacking.  But who wants to talk about work on Labor Day?  Let’s talk about these Cherry Vanilla Parfaits!

I love desserts that come together in less than fifteen minutes, you know the kind that satisfies a sudden craving for something sweet.  Parfaits are just perfect and so pretty and the kids love to have their very own dessert.

When I make cupcakes, I usually freeze half of them for later to make parfaits or trifles.  Plus it keeps me from eating a dozen cupcakes myself.  These parfaits come together super quick.  Really, pitting the cherries takes the longest, unless you are one of the smart people who have invested in a cherry pitter.  I was kicking myself for not already having one and now I have pretty purple fingers.  Oh well, these parfaits tasted so good and I got lots of oohs, awes, and yums from those smiling boys.  Y’all have a great Labor Day!

Cherry Vanilla Parfaits

Ingredients:

• 1 5.1 oz package instant vanilla pudding
• 3 cups milk
• 5  vanilla cupcakes (plain, no icing)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and coarsely chopped
• 1 1/4 cups whipped cream or whipped topping
• additional cherries for garnish

Directions:

In a medium size bowl, combine pudding mix and milk until smooth.  Place in refrigerator for 5 minutes.

Layer into parfait glasses in the following order:

• 2 tablespoons pudding
• 1/2 of a cupcake, torn into 3 or 4 chunks
• 1 tablespoon chopped cherries
• repeat, ending with pudding and top each parfait with whipped cream and garnish with a cherry.

Yield: 5 parfaits

Enjoy!

Miss