Simple Berry Parfait Recipe with Honey Sweetened Cream (3 Ingredients)
This parfait recipe layers fresh berries with lightly sweetened honey cream for a simple dessert that looks beautiful but takes very little effort. It’s one of my favorite summer treats anytime I have lovely berries on hand and want something homemade without turning on the oven!
✩ What readers are saying…
“This was the best summer treat ever!!! Love how easy and that it requires no heat! -Martine
Berries are my absolute favorite fruit and I look forward to these simple berry parfaits during the summer when berries are at their best (they just aren’t the same with frozen fruit…). While it feels like an indulgence, this is a 3-ingredient, real food dessert with superfood berries (though it’s terrific with other fruit, too).
Yes, the whipped cream has calories, but it’s also a source of protein and calcium. When made in small, half-cup glasses with around 3 tablespoons of whipped cream each, the portions are just right.
I’ve made a version of this simple dessert (in the UK, it’s called a “fool”) for years, but when I started sweetening the cream with honey was when it really shined for me and let the flavor of the berries be the star – as well as made it a no-processed, real food dessert.
The best part? (Well, besides the flavor!) Parfaits are SO simple to make, taking only a few minutes to pull together. It’s a very adaptable recipe, too – you can use any mixture of berries or fruit that is in season, it’s all good!
Make this Berry Parfait Recipe
1. Whip the cream. Add the sweetener and the cream at the same time when making sweetened whipping cream – when using honey, you’ll need to add it at the beginning so it has time to incorporate into the cream.
2. Gather ingredients: The cream you whipped and any fresh berry (or other prepped fruit) you have. Plus glasses or bowls to layer the ingredients in – bonus points for glass to see the pretty layers.
FUN TIP: To make this even more special grab a nice, small wine glass or other tall glass or bowl, not just some old cereal bowl. I know we’re just going to sit out on the patio with the same people we sit with all the time, but you will enjoy this more in a glass, I promise!
3. Layer the cream and fruit. Add a spoonful of cream in the bottom, then a layer of fruit.
4. Repeat layers. End with a dollop of cream and a berry or two (or a slice of other fruit you’re using) to decorate the top.
Make Ahead Tip
It’s easy to make these up to a couple hours ahead and then keep them in the refrigerator until you need them. And actually, we’ve found they’re even great the next day, when covered with a bit of plastic wrap (as if they need to be even easier).
Summer Menu Idea
Want to know my idea of a perfect summer evening with these parfaits? Chef’s Salads and grilled Artisan Bread followed by these fruit and cream parfaits. Eaten on our patio. Wearing a skirt. After jumping in the river to cool off. Maybe that’s why this dessert always makes me think of summer!
There you have it – summer in a glass! To be eaten with anyone – or even just yourself.
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Berry Parfait Recipe with Honey Sweetened Cream
Equipment
- stand or hand-held mixer
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 cups berries* or sliced or diced fruit
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons honey or to taste**
Instructions
- Wash and prepare berries or fruit of choice.
- Whip cream with honey or other sweetener until soft peaks form (no need to be super stiff).
- Layer in a small stemmed glass (or other small glass) beginning with a spoonful of cream, fruit, then more whipped cream. Layer with more fruit and add a small spoonful of cream and a berry or slice of fruit to the top.
To Make Ahead:
- Prepare the parfaits a couple hours ahead, cover with plastic or bees wax wrap and refrigerate until needed.
Notes
Nutrition
More Simple Easy Desserts
- 19+ Healthy Snacks and Desserts
- Easy Blueberry Cobbler with Lemon Honey Sauce
- Whole Wheat Blackberry Crumb Bars
This recipe has been updated – it was originally published in 2010, updated in 2015 and 2026.
This was the best summer treat ever!!! Love how easy and that it requires no heat! 🙂
🙂
Sounds delicious, I haven’t tried using honey like that. i usually use home made syrups to sweeten cream, I make syrups with elderflowers, blackcurrants, rhubarb, and elderberries and they make delicous sweeteners for cream. But honey sounds extra special – must give it a go
That sounds like a wonderful way to sweeten the cream, too, Helen, and would make the parfaits more like the English ‘fool’ dessert – I’ll have to try it!
Yum. I added a little granola to this and it was fantastic.
This looks terrific. It’s hard to beat simple and delicious.
This is delicious! Though I ended up using ready-made whip, ’cause I’m lazy that way, but thanks for the recipe!