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Fruitcake Parfaits

This simple recipe transforms fruitcake into elegant parfaits. Layers of crumbled fruitcake, thawed blueberries, and creamy plain yogurt combine for a delightful balance of textures and flavors. It's a quick, refreshing, and effortless dessert or breakfast option, perfect for repurposing holiday fruitcake with a gourmet touch.
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Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: French
Calories: 2603.6
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 loaf fruitcake about 1 1/4 pounds
  • 2 cups frozen blueberries thawed
  • 4 cups plain yogurt

Equipment

  • 1 Chef's Knife
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 2 Mixing Bowls
  • 1 Large Spoon or Ladle
  • 4 Parfait Glasses or Dessert Bowls

Method
 

  1. Crumble the fruitcake into small, bite-sized pieces using your hands, a knife, and a cutting board, ensuring an even texture.
  2. Place the thawed blueberries in a small mixing bowl; gently mash a portion of them to release more juice and enhance the flavor.
  3. Prepare four individual parfait glasses or dessert bowls for assembly.
  4. Distribute an even layer of the crumbled fruitcake at the bottom of each glass.
  5. Spoon a layer of the prepared blueberries, including any released juices, over the fruitcake in each glass.
  6. Add a generous layer of plain yogurt over the blueberries in each glass, smoothing the top.
  7. Repeat the layering process, starting with fruitcake, then blueberries, and finally yogurt, until the glasses are filled to the top, ending with a yogurt layer.
  8. Optionally, garnish each parfait with a few extra whole blueberries or a small sprig of fresh mint for enhanced presentation.
  9. Cover the assembled parfaits and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the fruitcake to soften.
  10. Serve the chilled fruitcake parfaits as a refreshing dessert or a unique breakfast item.

Notes

For a finer crumble, consider pulsing the fruitcake briefly in a food processor, taking care not to overmix it into a paste. Hand-crumbling offers a more rustic, varied texture. Elevate the blueberry flavor by macerating the thawed berries with a teaspoon of sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice for 15-20 minutes; this creates a light syrup that adds moisture and zest. Greek yogurt provides a richer, thicker consistency and a pleasant tang, perfectly balancing the sweetness of the fruitcake. If using regular plain yogurt, draining it through cheesecloth for a few hours can achieve a similar luxurious texture. Chilling the parfaits for at least 30 minutes before serving is crucial, as it allows the fruitcake to slightly soften and all the flavors to meld beautifully. A final garnish of fresh mint or a few whole blueberries enhances both visual appeal and freshness.