DIY Network

Perfect Parfaits Make a deliciously easy dessert that's satisfying and simple. From "Home Made Easy" episode DHME-150

Guest Karen Bussen, DIY's Meals Made Easy expert, proves that even though a sweet treat is a perfect way to end a meal, no one should spend hours in the kitchen making a complicated dessert. The answer is the perfect parfait, and she has two great recipes—one that features bananas and one that's a dream come true for the chocoholic in your life!

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Nutty Nilla-Nana Pudding Parfait

Nutty Nilla-Nana Pudding Parfait

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups vanilla pudding
1 small ripe banana, sliced into rounds
10 Crumbled 'Nilla Wafer cookies
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chocolate ice cream slightly softened
1 thick slice chocolate pound cake, cut into small cubes
1-2 chocolate candy bars (your favorite, preferably with nuts or crunch) cut into small pieces
4 Tbs. chocolate milk
6 Tbs. white chocolate chips
4 Tbs. chocolate sauce
2 parfait glasses
plastic wrap
serving spoon

Note: This parfait is really delicious and very easy. It's a refrigerator parfait—as opposed to the freezer parfait and it's great for anyone who really likes the taste of vanilla.

Start by spooning a layer of vanilla pudding in a 6-8 ounce glass. If you want to make the dessert a little more festive, you can use a fun decorative parfait glass—or you can just keep things simple and use a regular glass.

Tip: It's easy to make this dessert low-fat—simply use low-fat pudding.

Top the pudding with a pinch or two of crumbled 'Nilla wafers followed by a few slices of banana. Then, finish the layer with a pinch of walnuts. Repeat the layers until you reach the top of the glass. Finish with one last layer of pudding and garnish with a sprinkle of walnuts.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. But, it can stay covered for up to a day. You can also top it with whipped cream if you like, for a fancier presentation.

Serves: 2

Chocoholic's Delight Parfait

Chocoholic's Delight Parfait

Ingredients:

1 cup chocolate ice cream slightly softened
1 thick slice chocolate pound cake, cut into small cubes
1-2 chocolate candy bars (your favorite, preferably with nuts or crunch), cut into small pieces
4 Tbs. chocolate milk
6 Tbs. white chocolate chips
4 Tbs. chocolate sauce

Note: This is a decadent chocolate parfait, but you can make it more low fat if you like by substituting frozen yogurt, low-fat cake and fat-free milk.

First, in a small bowl, pour 4 tablespoons of chocolate milk over 1 thick slice of chocolate pound cake, cut into cubes and toss. Then, spoon a teaspoon of chocolate sauce into the bottom of a deep parfait-style glass or ice cream dish.

Add a layer of softened chocolate ice cream, which should be softened enough so as not to leave any pockets of air in the glass. Then top the ice cream with a few cubes of the milk soaked cake and a few chunks of your favorite candy bar—preferably with nuts or crunch.

Finish the layer with one tablespoon of white chocolate chips. Repeat each step until the glass is full and finish with a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Then cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least an hour or two before serving. Let the parfait soften slightly before serving. You could also sprinkle a few chocolate chips on the top for garnish.

GUESTS :

Karen Bussen
Author, Simple Stunning Weddings
E-mail: Karen@karenbussen.com
Website: www.karenbussen.com