If you’ve got some cranberry sauce leftover from a holiday meal or just love that tangy-sweet zing, I can’t wait to share my favorite way to use it up: a delightful Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfait Recipe. This parfait is quick, easy, and utterly scrumptious—making it the perfect little treat when you want something fresh yet familiar. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be looking for reasons to make extra cranberry sauce just for parfaits!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple Prep: You can have this parfait ready in under 5 minutes, perfect for busy mornings or whenever a sweet pick-me-up strikes.
- Transforms Leftovers: It turns leftover cranberry sauce, which can feel like a one-trick pony, into a fresh, vibrant dessert or snack.
- Balanced Flavors: Creamy yogurt, sweet honey, crunchy granola, and that tart cranberry sauce layer perfectly for endless yum.
- Customizable: Easily tweak it to suit your tastes or dietary needs, so it’s always just right.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient plays a role in building layers of texture and flavor in this parfait. I like using plain or vanilla Greek yogurt because its creaminess offsets the tartness so well, but feel free to pick your favorite yogurt style.
- Plain or vanilla Greek yogurt: This gives that creamy, protein-packed base that’s not too sweet on its own, letting the cranberry sauce shine.
- Leftover cranberry sauce: The star of the show! Homemade or store-bought both work; I personally love the flavor boost from my homemade batch.
- Honey: Adds a bit of natural sweetness; you can adjust the amount depending on how tangy your cranberry sauce is.
- Granola or cereal: For that crunchy contrast — it’s so satisfying to have that texture combo in every spoonful!
Variations
I love playing around with this Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfait Recipe based on what I have in the fridge and what my mood calls for. It’s so versatile that you can make it as a breakfast, dessert, or even a snack.
- Use flavored yogurt: I once tried coconut vanilla yogurt, and it added a delicious tropical twist that my family couldn’t get enough of.
- Swap granola for nuts or seeds: For a lower-sugar crunch, chopped almonds or toasted pumpkin seeds work wonders.
- Add fresh fruit: In summer, I like layering in blueberries or sliced bananas for extra freshness and sweetness.
- Make it vegan: Use plant-based yogurt and maple syrup instead of honey for a 100% vegan parfait.
How to Make Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfait Recipe
Step 1: Start with a Yogurt Base Layer
Grab a clear parfait glass or a small bowl—it’s fun to see the layers build, trust me! Spoon in about half of your Greek yogurt. Don’t be shy; a thick layer sets the creamy foundation we want. If your yogurt is ultra-thick, you can loosen it slightly with a teaspoon of milk for easier layering.
Step 2: Drizzle Honey and Add Cranberry Sauce
Lightly drizzle honey over the yogurt layer, adjusting the sweetness to your liking. Then, spoon on a generous few tablespoons of your leftover cranberry sauce. I love how the bright red contrasts with the creamy yogurt—it’s like a little burst of color and flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Sprinkle with Granola
Now for the crunch! Sprinkle a handful of granola or your favorite cereal over the fruit layer. This not only adds texture but also a nutty-flavored balance against the sour-sweet cranberries.
Step 4: Repeat the Layers and Serve
Repeat the yogurt, honey drizzle, and granola layers once more. No need to add more cranberry sauce here unless you’re feeling extra festive! Serve immediately for the crispiest granola or refrigerate briefly if you want it chilled.
Pro Tips for Making Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfait Recipe
- Use Greek Yogurt for Texture: I discovered Greek yogurt gives the parfait that perfect creamy but firm structure, unlike runnier yogurts that make the layers slump.
- Sweetness Balance: Depending on your cranberry sauce, you might want more or less honey—try a little, taste, then adjust.
- Layer Delightfully: Build layers gently so you don’t mix up the prettiness, especially if you want to impress guests with presentation.
- Avoid Soggy Granola: Add granola just before serving, or it will soften quickly and lose its crunch.
How to Serve Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfait Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top mine with a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes or a few fresh mint leaves because it adds a pop of color and fresh herbal brightness that compliments the cranberry’s tartness really well.
Side Dishes
If I’m serving this as breakfast or a snack, I like pairing it with a slice of warm, crusty toast or a handful of nuts on the side. For a lighter dessert, this parfait holds the spotlight perfectly all on its own.
Creative Ways to Present
Once, for a holiday brunch, I layered this parfait in small mason jars and tied a cinnamon stick on top with twine—everyone thought it was so festive and pretty! Little touches like that can turn a simple snack into a conversation starter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (which can be rare because it’s so good!), keep the parfait stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Just be mindful that the granola might soften—adding fresh granola before eating keeps that crunch alive.
Freezing
I haven’t tried freezing this parfait because the yogurt texture changes and the granola loses its crunch upon thawing. Best to enjoy it fresh or refrigerated for a day or two max!
Reheating
No reheating needed here—this parfait is designed to be served cold or at room temperature. Just stir gently if the yogurt has thickened in the fridge and add fresh granola before digging in.
FAQs
-
Can I use other fruit sauces instead of cranberry sauce?
Absolutely! While cranberry sauce has a uniquely tart flavor that pairs beautifully with yogurt and granola, you can swap in raspberry, blueberry, or even cherry sauce if you have those on hand. Just pick one with similar thickness and sweetness to maintain the parfait’s texture.
-
How long can I store the parfait before it gets soggy?
It’s best enjoyed immediately or within a few hours of assembling. The granola tends to lose its crunch if left too long, so if you have to store it, add the granola just before eating to keep that satisfying texture.
-
Is this recipe suitable for breakfast?
Definitely! The protein-rich Greek yogurt and fiber-full granola make it a balanced, delicious breakfast that feels a little indulgent but is actually quite healthy and satisfying.
-
Can I make this parfait dairy-free?
Yes! Just swap the Greek yogurt for a thick, plant-based yogurt like almond or coconut milk yogurt and use maple syrup instead of honey. It will still taste fantastic and keep the creamy texture.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfait Recipe turns something as simple as leftovers into a beautiful, crave-worthy treat. It’s one of those recipes that feel like a little celebration in a glass but takes almost no effort. The next time you find yourself with extra cranberry sauce, try layering it up with yogurt and granola—you’ll end up with a new seasonal favorite, I promise! Give it a whirl, tweak it your way, and enjoy the fresh spin on a classic flavor combo with your loved ones!
Print
Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfait Recipe
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 1 parfait 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A quick and delicious parfait recipe that beautifully combines creamy Greek yogurt with sweet leftover cranberry sauce, honey, and crunchy granola for a perfect breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
Yogurt Mixture
- 2/3 cup plain or vanilla non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 to 2 tablespoons leftover cranberry sauce, to taste
- 1 to 2 tablespoons honey, to taste
Topping
- Granola or cereal, as needed for layering
Instructions
- Prepare the base layer: In a parfait glass or bowl, spoon half of the Greek yogurt, then drizzle with a bit of honey and add a few spoonfuls of leftover cranberry sauce.
- Add the crunch: Sprinkle a layer of granola or your choice of cereal evenly over the cranberry sauce to add texture and flavor.
- Repeat the layering: Add the remaining yogurt over the granola, followed by another drizzle of honey and more granola for the top layer.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately as a nutritious and satisfying parfait.
Notes
- Adjust the quantities of cranberry sauce and honey according to your preferred sweetness level.
- Use either plain or vanilla yogurt depending on taste preference.
- Leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving or other meals works perfectly for this recipe.
- Substitute granola with your favorite cereal or toasted nuts for variety.
- This recipe serves one but can be easily scaled up.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 parfait
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
