Berry Fool (or Parfait)

As I mentioned in the garden post I did a couple days ago, berries are some of my favorite fruits and this dessert is one of my favorite ways to use them in the summer.

I love the name “Fool” for a dessert. Do you think someone at one time was foolish over it? Made a fool of themselves over it? Fooled others? The origins of names fascinate me…

We had this last night after a meal of chef’s salads and artisan bread. Out on our deck. Wearing shorts. After jumping in the river to cool off.

Maybe that’s why this always reminds me of summer.

Oh, and this dish is easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and is very inexpensive, especially if the berries are from your backyard (or someone else’s that will share with you!)

You need berries, obviously. Usually about 3/4 to 1 cup per serving. You can use any mixture of berries you want. Here I am using raspberries and marionberries.

The only other things you will need are heavy whipping cream (1 cup is all that’s needed for 4 small or 3 medium servings, I only used half of this pint), and 1/4 cup sugar.

Add the cream to a mixer bowl and add the sugar. I’ve never had a problem with it whipping, but I know people like to do this different, and that’s OK. Use powdered sugar, add it after whipping- it’s completely up to you. Doesn’t it feel nice to have a little control over something every now and then?

Whip the mixture until stiff, but we don’t want butter, here, so watch it towards the end!

Now this is the part that seems so decadent. Grab a nice wine glass, not just some old bowl. Come on, I know we’re just going to sit out on the deck with the same people we sit with all the time, but you will enjoy this in a glass, I promise!

Add a layer of berries on the bottom, then layer some whipped cream. Repeat another time, saving three or four berries to decorate the top. I usually make these just before dinner, then put them in the fridge to be brought out at the end of the meal.

Voila! Summer in a glass. To be eaten with anyone- even just yourself.

Berry Fool/Parfait

• 3-4 cups berries
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1/4 cup sugar

1. Wash and prepare berries.
2. Whip cream with sugar until stiff.
3. Layer in a glass beginning with berries, then whipped cream. Repeat once more, saving a few berries to decorate the top layer of whipped cream.

There are more recipes at Grocery Cart Challenge’s Recipe Swap!

-Jami

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