Indulge in this sweet and refreshing Raspberry Rose Parfait with layers of creamy rose-scented yogurt, raspberry jam, and fresh raspberries, with a touch texture from granola. This easy parfait recipe is perfect for a summer dessert or a decadent brunch.
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There’s something magical about the combination of flowers and fruit, especially for a Springtime brunch. This Raspberry Rose Parfait is like a little taste of Spring in every bite — light, colorful, and just a little dreamy. (p.s. I created this recipe especially for my friends at New York Living. I did a "Spring Floral Brunch" segment for them with all floral recipes and this was the hosts favorite bite!
In this parfait recipe, creamy Greek yogurt is sweetened with a touch of honey and a hint of rose water, then layered with raspberry preserves, fresh raspberries, and crunchy homemade granola. Whether you’re making brunch for friends or just treating yourself to a slow morning, this parfait is a sweet and simple way to celebrate the arrival of Spring.
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Ingredients & Substitutions
Just say I put a lot of thought into each of the ingredients is an understatement. I really thought hard about how I wanted this to layer, each of the textures, and the flavors and aromas. Let's take a look at them and see where you can make changes if you need to:
- Greek yogurt - I love the thick texture, and the tangy flavor of Greek yogurt. If you can't find it, and to stay close to the original feel (light, creamy, slightly tangy), strained plain yogurt or Skyr would probably work best.
For a vegan parfait, coconut yogurt, or other non-dairy yogurts are great options, though they can be thinner and coconut yogurt may have a slight coconut flavor unless labeled "Greek-style." If you don't like yogurt, and I'm a new convert, you could just whip heavy cream to make whipped cream with a little bit of rosewater. Instant dessert! - Honey - If you want to keep that soft, floral vibe, you can swap the honey for agave nectar, elderflower syrup, orange blossom honey, lavender syrup, or even coconut nectar. They all add a gentle sweetness that makes the rose and raspberry flavors shine even more!
- Rose water - Rose water is a fragrant, floral ingredient made from steeping rose petals in water, and a little goes a long way. Just a few drops can add a soft, romantic flavor to desserts, drinks, and even yogurt like in this parfait. If you don't have it, you can substitute with a little bit of lavender or vanilla extract or leave it out altogether and you'll still have a delicious raspberry parfait.
- Granola - I happen to know who makes the absolute best crunchy homemade granola… oh wait that's me! But as Ina Garten says, store-bought is fine.
- Preserves or jam - I love adding jam or preserves to my parfaits (jam is made with crushed fruit, and preserves are made with whole fruit, if you were wondering). Sometimes raspberry jam is a little bit too bright for me, so I will mix in some strawberry jam, and I find it gives me the perfect blend of sweet and tangy. A couple of drops of rosewater into your preserves… oh my gosh, that's the move!
- Fresh fruit - Fresh raspberries, fresh strawberries, or any blend of berries, it's just the right amount of freshness to your parfait. If it isn't in season, you can use frozen fruit, and just let it thaw in a colander to drain away the excess liquid before adding to your parfait.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Extra Credit: Making Easy Raspberry Rose Jam
To make a small batch of raspberry jam with rose water, combine 1 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries, ⅓ cup of sugar, and a small squeeze of lemon juice in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the berries break down and the jam thickens, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in ¼ to ½ teaspoon of rosewater, depending on your taste. Let it cool completely, then store in a jar in the fridge for up to two weeks. Perfect for parfaits, toast, or a fancy little swirl in your yogurt!
Variations
I love a parfait for the simplicity that still feels so fancy. I love adding peak of summer peaches to my peach parfait, and sometimes just a granola parfait hits the spot. Here are a few great variations on a parfait theme:
- Citrus - Swirl in a little lime zest or lemon curd with the yogurt for a fresh, bright flavor.
- Different preserves - Use strawberry, blackberry, or even apricot preserves (a floral favorite!) for a new flavor combo.
- Use flavored granola - Try a vanilla, coconut, or cardamom-spiced granola to play up the floral notes.
- Make it vegan - Use a plant-based yogurt (like coconut or almond yogurt) and swap honey for agave or maple syrup.
Quick Recipe Video
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making a parfait doesn't seem like something that you need instructions for, but it was such a beautiful day when I made this, that I wanted to share the beautiful pictures, so I might as well tell you what I did! Come with me on my floral journey!
Step 1: Greek yogurt, honey, and rosewater into a food processor.
Step 2: Blend until smooth and fluffy. This can also be done with a hand mixer or with a whisk and your very strong arms 💪
Step 3: Add your desired amount of yogurt to the bottom of a glass, or a small bowl, and top with a spoonful of raspberry jam. For more rose flavor you can stir a drop of rose water into the jam before spooning into your glass.
Step 4: Top with a handful of fresh raspberries.
Step 5: Add your favorite granola, but just know that my homemade granola is the best! 😉
Step 6: Another spoonful of yogurt.
Step 7: Sprinkle on some dried rose petals, for very important fancy reasons.
Step 8: Top with a perfect raspberry.
Dig your spoon all the way to the bottom and enjoy every delightful layer!
Expert tip
It's a parfait, it's not rocket science, but there are some helpful tips to getting to the perfect parfait. Here are a few:
- Use thick yogurt - Greek yogurt or strained yogurt works best as it holds up well against the fruit and granola, keeping the parfait from getting too soggy.
- Add rose water gradually - Start with just a teaspoon of rose water. If you want a more pronounced rose flavor, add another half teaspoon at a time, until you get the level you like. But taste as you go to avoid overpowering the other flavors. Remember, you can always add more, but you cannot take it out.
- Keep granola crunchy - To avoid soggy granola, layer it last and skip the dollop on top, or serve it on the side for everyone to add themselves.
- Chill before serving - If you’re making the parfait ahead of time, add the yogurt, jam, and fruit, and let it chill for a bit in the fridge. The flavors meld together beautifully. Add the granola and the rest of the toppings last.
- Serve with a sip - As long as we're making elegant raspberry rose parfaits, we should also have a delicious and cute little bevy. How about my Raspberry Mojito Mocktail or my Lemon Elderflower Spritz. Both delicious choices!
Recipe FAQs
Once you've mixed the yogurt with rosewater and honey, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Make sure to stir before using, as the honey might settle at the bottom.
Yes, frozen fruit can work, but it might release some moisture as it thaws. To avoid making the parfait too runny, let the frozen fruit thaw slightly and drain excess liquid before layering.
If stored properly, an assembled parfait (without granola) can last 1 to 2 days in the fridge. However, the granola should be added just before serving to keep it crunchy.
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-Cynthia
📖 Recipe
Raspberry Rose Parfaits
Equipment
- Food chopper or small food processor
Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon rose water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ cup raspberry preserves or jam
- ½ cup fresh raspberries plus extra for garnish
- ½ cup homemade granola or store-bought
- Optional: Edible dried rose petals for garnish
Instructions
- In a food processor, or with a hand mixer in a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, rose water, and honey. Pulse until smooth and well-mixed. Taste and adjust with more honey or rose water if desired.
- Divide the yogurt mixture between two small glasses or bowls. Follow with a couple of spoonfuls of raspberry preserves or jam, spreading it gently to cover the yogurt layer.
- Place a few fresh raspberries on top of the preserves, then add a layer of granola.
- Top each parfait with another dollop of yogurt, a few more fresh raspberries and, if desired, a pinch of edible dried rose petals for an extra floral touch.
- Chill or serve immediately: You can serve these right away or refrigerate them for up to 1 to 2 hours to let the flavors meld together. Just be sure to add the granola right before serving to keep it crunchy.
Save This Recipe! 💌
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later, plus you'll get great new recipes from me every week!
Cynthia Christensen says
I made this recipe live on TV and the guest host couldn't stop raving about it and the regular host took home my jar of raspberry rose jam! High praise in my books ❤️