This yogurt parfait recipe is actually a throwback to my boarding school days and a ginger and pear dessert I remember being served.
I've recreated it and improved the presentation. It was always so popular at school and will still be a crowd-pleaser now.
Why This Recipe Works
- 3 - 4 ingredients
- A classic combination of pear and ginger flavours, the softened gingernut cookies stirred through yogurt is so good!
- Can be prepped in advance
- Looks sensational served in a glass!
Ingredients you will need
These yogurt parfaits have three basic ingredients. Gingernut cookies, natural yogurt, and tinned or stewed pears. To take these pear parfaits to the next level you can also add crystallized ginger.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutes
- Plain yoghurt: I love this dessert made with unsweetened yoghurt, it is also delicous made with mascarpone.
- Gingernut cookies: Any light ginger cookie such as a ginger snap or thin ginger bread will also work.
I am an ambassador for Countdown supermarket, they support my blog by providing ingredients for recipe creation and testing. I used gingernut biscuits, and pear slices from their range in this recipe.
Step by step instructions
Below are illustrated step-by-step instructions to make my pear and gingernut yogurt parfaits. If you prefer just the written instructions then head straight to the printable recipe card below.
Prep: You will need four glasses.
Step one: Drain the pears, reserving the juice for later. Dice the pears into 1cm pieces.
Step two: Spoon a layer of pears into the bottom of the four glasses. Top with a layer of yogurt and a gingernut biscuit. Pour a small amount of reserved juice on top of the gingernut biscuit.
Step three: Repeat the layers, of pear yogurt and gingernut biscuit, finishing with a layer of yogurt on the top.
Step five: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours but overnight is even better.
Step six: Before serving top the yogurt parfaits with either:
- gingernut cookies,
- cookie crumbs,
- crystallised ginger
- slices of fresh pear
or a combination of the above
Enjoy!
Top Tips
Here is how you can make these yogurt parfaits perfectly every time!
The only real secret is to make sure you make them in advance so that the gingernuts have time to soften. You can make these pear parfaits up to 48 hours in advance.
If you don't want to make individual parfaits in glasses, you can make this dessert in a large bowl and serve it like you would a trifle.
Easy recipes when entertaining a crowd
I'm a big fan of desserts you can prepare in advance when you are going to a family gathering. A white chocolate cheesecake is always a hit. My tiramisu cups are another fabulous dessert in a glass. If you are on starters or salads then my kiwi onion dip, rice crackers, pasta salad or rice salad might be worth checking out as well.
Ginger Pear Parfait
Equipment
- 4 glasses
Ingredients
- 12 gingernut biscuits gingersnaps
- 800 g plain yogurt
- 400 g tinned pears
- Crystalised ginger optional
Instructions
- Drain the pears, reserving the juice for later. Dice the pears into 1cm pieces.
- Spoon a layer of pears into the bottom of the four glasses. Top with a layer of yogurt and a gingernut biscuit. Pour a small amount of reserved juice on top of the gingernut biscuit.
- Repeat the layers, of pear yogurt and gingernut biscuit, finishing with a layer of yogurt on the top.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours but overnight is even better.
- Before serving top the yogurt parfaits with either: gingernut cookies, cookie crumbs, crystallised ginger slices of fresh pear.
Karen says
Looks delicious and I think my kids will enjoy it too! Can't wait to try it!
Kim says
I made this for tonight’s dessert after seeing it on your Instagram the other day and waiting patiently for you to post the recipe.
Delicious! And so easy too! Win, win!