Black Forest Parfait Recipe Easy Dessert

A Cake in a Glass

Let’s make a cake you don’t have to bake. We are building a Black Forest Parfait. It is like a delicious treasure hunt in a glass. You get a little bit of everything in each spoonful.

You start with simple chocolate cake cubes. I use leftover cake from a birthday. It feels clever, like a kitchen secret. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Then comes the cherry pie filling. Its sweet-tart pop is the heart of the dessert.

The Magic of Whipped Cream

Homemade whipped cream changes everything. It is light and fluffy. The store-bought kind just can’t compare. You only need cream, sugar, and vanilla.

Watch it turn from liquid to soft peaks. It is like a little science show in your bowl. My grandkids love to take turns with the mixer. Fun fact: Cream whips up best when your bowl is cold! I pop mine in the freezer for a few minutes first.

Why Layers Matter

Building a parfait is about texture. You want soft cake, juicy cherries, and cloud-like cream. Each layer plays a part. This matters because eating should be a joy for all your senses.

Pushing the cherries down into the cake is my favorite step. It lets the flavors hug each other. Do you like your desserts more cakey or more creamy? I’d love to know how you layer yours.

A Story About Cherries

This dessert reminds me of my friend Hilda. She had a cherry tree. Every summer, we would spend an afternoon pitting cherries. Our fingers would be stained red for days.

We laughed so much. I still laugh at that memory. Using pie filling is much easier today. But the taste still brings me back to her sunny kitchen. Food memories are powerful like that.

Make It Your Own

This is where you have fun. Top your parfait with a sprinkle of cocoa. Or use chopped nuts for a little crunch. A cherry on top makes it feel special.

This matters because cooking is not about rules. It is about making something you will love. What is your favorite dessert topping? Mine will always be that homemade whipped cream.

Let’s Share Stories

I believe desserts taste better with a story. Did you ever bake with your grandma? Or maybe you have a favorite food memory. I would love to hear about it.

Tell me, what dessert makes you feel happy and cozy? For me, it is this one. It is simple, sweet, and full of good memories.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Chocolate cake, cut into cubes	2 cups	For the layers
Cherry pie filling	3 tablespoons per parfait	For the layers
Heavy whipping cream	1 cup	For homemade whipped cream
Powdered sugar	2 Tablespoons	For homemade whipped cream
Vanilla extract	2 teaspoons	For homemade whipped cream

My Easy Black Forest Parfaits

Hello, my dear! Let’s make a fancy dessert together. It is so simple. We are building little chocolate-and-cherry towers. I think of my grandson when I make these. He always licks the whipped cream bowl clean.

You just need a few happy things. Some chocolate cake cubes, cherry pie filling, and fresh whipped cream. Making whipped cream is my favorite part. It starts as a liquid and turns into a cloud. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Here is how we build our parfaits. Use clear glasses if you have them. Seeing all the pretty layers is half the fun. I still laugh at that. Now, let’s get started.

• Step 1: First, make your whipped cream. Pour the heavy cream into a big bowl. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar. Start mixing on low speed. Watch it get foamy, like a bubble bath.
• Step 2: Now, turn the mixer speed up a little. Keep going until soft peaks form. This means the cream holds its shape. (My hard-learned tip: Stop mixing the second it looks thick! Over-whipped cream turns into butter.)
• Step 3: Time to build! Put cake cubes in your glass. Push some against the sides too. This makes a lovely pattern. What’s the best cake for this? Share below! I often use leftover birthday cake.
• Step 4: Spoon the cherry pie filling over the cake. Get those juicy cherries down into the cracks. The red looks so cheerful next to the brown cake. It’s like a sweet treasure hunt.
• Step 5: Top it all with a big scoop of your homemade cream. You can garnish with a cherry or cocoa powder. Then serve it with a smile. Your family will feel so special.

Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 parfaits
Category: Dessert

Three Fun Twists to Try

This recipe is like a friendly base. You can play with it! Here are three ideas I love. They make the parfait new again.

Berry Blast: Use mixed berry pie filling instead of cherry. Blueberries and raspberries are so pretty. It tastes like a summer garden.

Cookie Crunch: Swap the cake for crumbled chocolate cookies. Add a layer of crushed cookies between the cream. The crunch is a wonderful surprise.

Orange Dream: Add a little orange zest to the whipped cream. The chocolate and orange are best friends. It’s a very grown-up flavor.

Which one would you try first? Comment below! I am leaning toward the cookie crunch myself.

Serving Your Sweet Creation

These parfaits are a full celebration. For garnish, try a dusting of cocoa powder. A few slivered almonds add a nice crunch. A perfect cherry on top is the classic finish.

What to drink? A cold glass of milk is always right. It cuts the sweetness. For the adults, a small glass of cherry port is lovely. It echoes the cherry in the dessert.

Serve them right after you make them. The cake stays a little firm that way. Which would you choose tonight? I think I’ll have mine with milk.

Keeping Your Parfaits Perfect

Let’s talk about keeping these treats happy. The whipped cream is the fussy part. It lasts 2-3 days in the fridge. I keep mine in a jar with a tight lid. You can store the whole parfait for a day, but the cake gets soft. I think it’s still delicious!

You can freeze the chocolate cake cubes ahead of time. Just thaw them before building your dessert. This is a great batch-cooking trick. Having cake ready makes dessert come together in minutes. That matters on busy days when you need a sweet hug.

I once made a big batch for a picnic. The sun made the cream weep! Now I know to keep them cool until serving. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Hiccups

First, whipped cream won’t thicken? Your bowl or cream might be too warm. Chill everything first. I remember my first time. I was so impatient! Cold cream whips up like a dream.

Second, soggy cake? Don’t let the cherry filling sit too long. Build your parfaits just before eating. This keeps the cake’s nice texture. Getting the texture right matters for the perfect bite.

Third, not sweet enough? Taste your whipped cream as you go. Add a tiny bit more sugar if needed. Fixing small issues builds your kitchen confidence. You learn what you like best. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Parfait Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free chocolate cake or brownie.

Q: Can I make parts ahead? A: Absolutely. Whip the cream and cube the cake a day early.

Q: What can I swap for cherry pie filling? A: Fresh berries or a berry jam work beautifully.

Q: Can I make a giant one for a crowd? A: Of course! Use a big glass bowl and layer it all in.

Q: Any extra tips? A: A fun fact: a pinch of cocoa powder on top makes it look fancy! Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love making these parfaits. They are full of happy memories for me. I made them with my grandkids last summer. Their smiles were the best garnish.

I would love to see your creations. Sharing food stories connects us all. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! You can find me at @AnnasCozyKitchen. I can’t wait to see your version.

Happy cooking!
—Anna Whitmore.