Strawberry Parfait
Updated Aug 30, 2026
Strawberry parfait layered with whipped cream cheese and Greek yogurt cheesecake filling, strawberries, and granola. An easy no-bake dessert or breakfast.
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I like to make my strawberry parfaits a little more “fancy” than just traditional plain, layered yogurt with berries and granola. I make a mock cheesecake layer with cream cheese, yogurt, vanilla extract, and honey. Layered with the strawberries, this parfait has more of a cheesecake thing going on. I mostly make these strawberry parfaits for an easy dessert, but I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t also eat one for breakfast sometimes, too!
Recipe Testing Notes
For the past 10 years, I’ve tested every recipe before sharing it with you! These notes give you a peek into the process of developing this strawberry parfait recipe.
Figuring out the cream cheese and Greek yogurt ratio took a little playing around with. Straight yogurt was too thin and kind of ran down through the layers, but all cream cheese was too heavy and dense. The mix of the two is what gives it enough body to hold those clean layers while still tasting light and tangy.
When I built the parfaits ahead and let them sit in the fridge for a few hours, the granola soaked up moisture and went completely soft, which kind of defeats the point. Now if I’m making them ahead, I layer everything except the granola and add it right before serving so it stays crunchy. A quick 30-minute chill is fine, just not hours with the granola already in there.
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
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Strawberry Parfait Ingredients
- Strawberries: Fresh strawberries work best here since frozen strawberries will release quite a bit of liquid as they thaw. Dry them well after washing so they don’t add extra water to the parfait. Hull the strawberries and slice them fairly thin so they’re easy to layer in the parfaits. Read more of my tips on how to cut strawberries.
- Cream cheese: For the best flavor, I recommend full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature before mixing. Cold cream cheese is much harder to whisk smooth and can leave little lumps throughout the yogurt mixture.
- Greek yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt works best because its thicker consistency keeps the cream cheese mixture from getting runny. Whole milk or 2% Greek yogurt both work, too.
- Sweetener and vanilla: Honey and vanilla extract sweeten the cream cheese mixture. You can substitute maple syrup for the honey if that’s what you have. If you love vanilla, you can use double the amount this recipe calls for. You can also substitute vanilla paste!
- Granola: Store-bought or homemade granola both work for this strawberry parfait. If you’re assembling the parfaits well ahead of serving, keep in mind that the granola will soften as it sits between the layers. Any kind of crunchy topping, like nuts or seeds, would work here as well.
How to Make Strawberry Parfaits
These step-by-step photos walk you through how to make strawberry parfaits. For the full ingredient list and detailed instructions, head to the recipe card below, or skip straight to the → Strawberry Parfait Recipe
1. Start with the cream cheese
Place the softened cream cheese into a mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or whisk until the cream cheese looks light, smooth, and fluffy without any large lumps.
2. Add the yogurt and sweetener
Add the Greek yogurt, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Whisk until everything is evenly combined and the mixture is smooth.
3. Start layering the parfaits
Spoon some of the cream cheese and yogurt mixture into the bottom of each serving glass or bowl.
4. Add the strawberries
Arrange a layer of sliced strawberries over the cream cheese mixture.
5. Sprinkle on the granola
Add an even layer of granola over the strawberries.
6. Finish the parfaits
Continue layering the cream cheese mixture, strawberries, and granola until the glasses are filled. Finish with a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture and a strawberry slice, then chill before serving.
Full Strawberry Granola Parfait Recipe
Strawberry Parfait Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups Strawberries washed, hulled, and sliced
- 1 cup granola store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, place the softened cream cheese and use a hand mixer or whisk to whisk until light and fluffy.
- Add the Greek yogurt, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract and continue to whisk until well blended.
- Layer the bottom of serving glasses or bowls with a spoonful of the cream cheese and Greek yogurt mixture. Add a layer of sliced strawberries on top of the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle a layer of granola over the strawberries. Repeat the layers until you reach the top of the serving glass or bowl, finishing with a dollop of the cream cheese mixture and a strawberry slice.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- 1 pound frozen strawberries
- 1 ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ½ cup granola
- In a medium bowl, use a fork or potato masher to mash the strawberries until they break down and release their liquid. Transfer the mashed strawberries to a strainer and strain the excess liquid. Reserve the liquid for smoothies or another use.
- Place the Greek yogurt and honey in another small bowl and whisk together until well combined.
- To assemble the parfait, divide the yogurt into 3–4 bowls. Top with the strawberry sauce and sprinkle the granola on top. Enjoy immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Recipe Variations
- Add cocoa powder: Make the cream cheese mixture chocolate-ty by adding 1–2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
- Layer in jam: For extra sweetness and strawberry flavor, add a layer of strawberry jam when you assemble the parfaits. Or, swirl it right into the cream cheese mixture!
- Add nuts: Sprinkle ¼ cup of chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans between the layers for more crunch.
Recipe Tips
- Scrape down the bowl while mixing. Cream cheese tends to stick around the sides and bottom of the bowl, so scrape it down once or twice to make sure everything gets evenly incorporated.
- Build the parfaits just before serving for best results. The liquid from the strawberries will release and bleed into the yogurt so it looks best if layered just before enjoying.
- Give the parfaits time to chill. The strawberry parfait needs at least 30 minutes in the fridge so the cream cheese mixture can firm back up after mixing.
Troubleshooting
The cream cheese was probably still too cold when you mixed it. Beat the softened cream cheese completely smooth before adding the Greek yogurt and other ingredients. If there are already lumps, keep mixing and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl until the mixture smooths out.
The strawberries may have had excess water on them after washing, or the parfait may have sat for a while before serving. Dry the strawberries thoroughly before slicing and layering them. The berries naturally release some juice as they sit, so these are best assembled fairly close to serving.
Granola absorbs moisture from both the strawberries and yogurt mixture as it sits. If you want the granola to be crunchy, leave it out when assembling the parfaits ahead of time and add it just before serving.
Comments
This is the best strawberry parfait ive ever tried. It’s so easy to make!