This American-style strawberry parfait has multiple layers of crushed Biscoff biscuits, orange liqueur infused strawberries and velvety homemade whipped cream. It's a delicious and easy no-bake dessert. Check out how to make this strawberry parfait as well as some tips below.
The original French version of a parfait is made with a frozen custard base. It’s entirely different from this American-style version with homemade whipped topping and liqueur and no stovetop cooking or freezing time required. Serving them in wine glasses gives this light dessert an upscale look.
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🍓Strawberry Parfait Ingredients
- fresh strawberries - The more vibrantly red, the better.
- white sugar - The sugar sweetens and glazes the strawberries.
- orange liqueur - Such as Triple Sec, Grand Marnier or Cointreau. I have tried this recipe with both McGuinness Triple Sec and Grand Marnier. I prefer the Grand Marnier because you get a stronger hit of orange flavor whereas the Triple Sec is more subtle.
- Lotus Biscoff biscuits - A delicious, crunchy biscuit with a caramelized taste.
- heavy cream - To make the whipped cream. You can also use pre-made whipped topping.
- icing sugar - Helps to stabilize and sweeten the whipped cream.
- vanilla extract - For a bit of flavor in the whipped cream. You can substitute with vanilla powder. The powder still adds flavor but you will be able to see the beautiful black specks throughout the cream.
- fresh mint leaves - This is an optional garnish.
*A couple of the ingredients were not included in the picture. Check for ingredient amounts in recipe card.
👩🏻🍳Chef's Note: The orange liqueur adds some bite to this light dessert, but it can easily be replaced with orange juice or omitted altogether for a non-alcoholic version. You could even try a strawberry liqueur instead of the orange.
🥣How to Make a Strawberry Parfait
Prep the Layers
- Soak the strawberries. In a medium-size bowl, toss the strawberries with the white sugar and 1 tablespoon orange liqueur. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- Crush the biscuits. Meanwhile, place the biscoff biscuits in a plastic bag and gently crush them using a rolling pin. They do not have to be fine crumbs. It’s okay to have some bigger bite-size pieces.
- Whip the cream. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, whip together the heavy cream, 2 tablespoons of orange liqueur, icing sugar and vanilla, just until stiff peaks form. (Careful not to over-whip the cream).
Assemble the Parfaits
- Layer the ingredients. In 4 stemless wine glasses, layer 2 tablespoons of the crumbs, 2 tablespoons of the strawberries and some whipped cream, in that order.
- Repeat. Repeat these layers, ending with whipped cream. Garnish with a few more crumbs and mint leaves.
- Serve or chill. Serve immediately if you like the biscuits crunchy or you can chill them for 2 hours (or up to 1 day) if you like more of a softened biscuit.
💡Serving Suggestions & Tips
It’s no coincidence that I also created this recipe just before Canada Day. If you’re hosting a celebration for Canada Day, this easy, red and white dessert can be served in individual cups or jars for your guests. You can have them prepped and chilled in advance (within 1 day) and they are conveniently portable.
Local farmers’ markets should be well stocked with this sweet, red berry or maybe you’ve planted your own in your backyard garden. This is the perfect opportunity to use them up in this delightful dessert.
Typically parfaits are served in parfait glasses; they are tall and narrow with a short stem. But feel free to break away from that tradition and go with stemless wine glasses instead.
❓Recipe FAQs
The French version has a custard base. In the American version, there is always a layer of strawberries, but the other layers can be made of yogurt and granola for a healthier version, or whipped cream and biscuits like in this version.
The parfait is originally a French dessert, but its popularity has spread all over and has evolved in different parts of the world, including here in America where it has layers and is served in a clear glass.
The French word 'parfait' translates to 'perfect'.
🍓More Amazing Strawberry Recipes
On what occasion did you serve these strawberry parfaits? Or were you just craving a cool summer treat? If you tried this 🍓 Strawberry Parfait Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!
📋Recipe
Strawberry Parfait
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries - cleaned, hulled and diced
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 3 tablespoons orange liqueur - divided (Triple Sec, Grand Marnier or Cointreau)
- 16 Lotus Biscoff biscuits
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- fresh mint leaves - to garnish
Instructions
To Prepare the Layers
- In a medium-size bowl, toss the strawberries with the white sugar and 1 tablespoon orange liqueur. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place the biscoff biscuits in a plastic bag and gently crush them using a rolling pin. They do not have to be fine crumbs. It’s okay to have some bigger bite-size pieces.
- Using an electric mixer on medium speed, whip together the heavy cream, 2 tablespoons of orange liqueur, icing sugar and vanilla, just until stiff peaks form. (Careful not to over-whip the cream.)
To Assemble the Parfaits
- In 4 stemless wine glasses, layer 2 tablespoons of the crumbs, 2 tablespoons of the strawberries and some whipped cream, in that order.
- Repeat these layers, ending with whipped cream. Garnish with a few more crumbs and mint leaves.
- Serve immediately if you like the biscuits crunchy or you can chill them for 2 hours (or up to 1 day) if you like more of a softened biscuit.
Equipment
Notes
- I have tried this recipe with both McGuinness Triple Sec and Grand Marnier. I prefer the Grand Marnier because you get a stronger hit of flavor whereas the Triple Sec is more subtle.
- To make these non-alcoholic, just replace the liqueur with orange juice or omit it altogether.
- You can have them prepped and chilled in advance (within 1 day) and they are conveniently portable.
- Typically parfaits are served in parfait glasses; they are tall and narrow with a short stem. But feel free to break away from that tradition and go with wine glasses instead.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
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