This festive parfait—great for breakfast or dessert—layers seasonal cranberry sauce, cinnamon-scented apples, creamy yogurt, and crunchy granola for a balanced, flavorful treat. It’s an excellent use for leftover homemade cranberry sauce.
Cranberries deserve more than just the holiday table. Instead of tucking them away after Thanksgiving or Christmas, try a simple, colorful cranberry apple parfait. It pairs tangy cranberry sauce with cinnamon apples, vanilla yogurt, and a sprinkle of granola or muesli for texture. Use homemade components or store-bought cranberry sauce and apple pie filling when you need a quick option.
Cranberry Apple Parfait
(Makes 2 parfaits)
Ingredients:
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1 cup cranberry sauce
1 cup cinnamon apples (see recipe below or use store-bought)
1–2 tablespoons cinnamon apple granola or your favorite granola/muesli
Fresh raspberries or other fruit for garnish
Directions:
Layer the parfaits in two jars or cups. Start with 1/4 cup yogurt, followed by 1/4 cup cranberry sauce and 1/4 cup cinnamon apples. Repeat the layers to fill the jar. Finish with a sprinkle of granola and a handful of fresh raspberries.
Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
3/4 cup orange juice (no pulp)
1/4 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
12 oz fresh cranberries, rinsed and stems removed
Directions
Combine the orange juice, water, and sugar in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir in the cranberries and cinnamon and continue boiling gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most berries burst. Remove from heat and let cool, then chill covered for at least three hours to allow the sauce to thicken. Store refrigerated.
Cinnamon Apples
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
2 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the apples and cinnamon and sauté for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender but still hold their shape. Remove from heat and cool slightly before layering in parfaits. These apples also make a lovely side for holiday meals.
Cranberry Apple Parfaits
Donella Crigger
A colorful, fruity parfait that works as breakfast, snack, or dessert. Use homemade cranberry sauce and cinnamon apples or a store-bought shortcut when time is short.
Ingredients
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 1 cup cinnamon apples
- 1–2 tablespoons cinnamon apple granola
- Handful of fresh raspberries for garnish
Instructions
- In each jar or cup, layer 1/4 cup yogurt, 1/4 cup cranberry sauce, and 1/4 cup cinnamon apples. Repeat the layers.
- Top with granola and fresh raspberries. Serve immediately or chill until ready to eat.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
Calories: 664 kcal; Carbohydrates: 129 g; Protein: 12 g; Fat: 15 g; Fiber: 14 g; Sugar: 93 g; Sodium: 133 mg.
If you enjoyed this combination of tart cranberries and warm cinnamon apples, try making a double batch of the cranberry sauce to keep on hand for toast, oatmeal, or as a bright condiment with roast poultry. The cinnamon apples are also versatile—serve them over pancakes, waffles, or warm vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert.
For more seasonal ideas, try swapping flavors: plain or Greek yogurt instead of vanilla for a tangier parfait, or add chopped nuts for extra crunch. Fresh or frozen cranberries both work in the sauce; if using frozen, no need to thaw before cooking.
Serve these parfaits chilled for breakfast gatherings, holiday brunches, or as a light, fruity dessert. They’re easy to scale up for a crowd—simply multiply the ingredients and assemble in individual jars.