Strawberry parfait (いちごパフェ) is a delightful cold dessert served in a tall glass, featuring layers of whipped cream, ice cream, strawberry sauce, and fresh strawberries. This colorful treat, with its sweet and tangy flavors, has been a favorite among the Japanese for decades.
What’s Strawberry Parfait?
The parfait (パフェ) has its origins in France, where it was initially a simple dessert of ice cream and fruit sauce served on a plate. The Japanese version resembles an American sundae, but it is more elaborate, incorporating a variety of flavors and textures.
Strawberry parfaits are typically found in traditional cafés known as kissaten (喫茶店) or American-style family restaurants. Additionally, there are specialty parfait shops that offer beautifully crafted, high-end versions of this dessert.
A classic strawberry parfait is presented in a tall glass, showcasing its delightful layers. It usually includes fresh strawberries, whipped cream, ice cream, and cornflakes. While cornflakes may seem like an unusual addition, they provide a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, creamy elements. Strawberry sauce is often interspersed throughout the layers, while the fresh strawberries add a natural sweetness with a hint of tartness, perfectly complementing the cold, fluffy ice cream and whipped cream.
Traditionally enjoyed as a weekend afternoon treat, strawberry parfaits have recently gained popularity as a trendy late-night indulgence after a night out. Although they are typically consumed at restaurants and cafés, they can also be easily made at home with simple ingredients and steps.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Our recipe offers a basic version of strawberry parfait, but feel free to customize it to your liking—there are endless possibilities!
- Instead of vanilla ice cream, consider using strawberry or chocolate ice cream. Strawberry ice cream pairs naturally with fresh strawberries, while chocolate provides a rich contrast that complements the fruit beautifully. For a unique twist, try matcha ice cream for a traditional yet contemporary flavor combination.
- If you’re short on time, store-bought strawberry sauce works just as well as homemade. However, making it at home is surprisingly easy with just a few ingredients.
- For added texture, you can replace cornflakes with your favorite cereal, or even use pieces of sponge cake or pound cake for a softer, cake-like layer.
- Fresh strawberries can be used to make the sauce instead of frozen ones. Just remember to adjust the sugar based on the sweetness of the fruit.
More Like This Recipe
Cold dessert in a glass with strawberries, whipped cream, ice cream, and sauce
- 2 cups fresh strawberries
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/4 cup frosted corn flakes
- 2 scoops vanilla or strawberry ice cream
Strawberry Sauce
- 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- Make the strawberry sauce by cooking 2 cups of strawberries and sugar in a pot over low heat. Once the strawberries release their juice, increase the heat to medium, cover, and cook for a few minutes. Break the strawberries apart with a spatula and continue cooking until the mixture thickens slightly. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator before assembling.
- Dice half of the strawberries and halve the rest. Mix the diced strawberries with the sauce. Whip the heavy cream with sugar to medium-stiff peaks, and keep it chilled in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Assemble the parfait by layering the ingredients in a clear glass. Start with a base of cornflakes, followed by diced strawberries, a layer of whipped cream, and a scoop of ice cream. If the glass is tall, repeat the layers. Finish by topping with whipped cream and strawberries.
