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
