Sunday, January 31, 2016

Peachy Dessert Parfait (vegan, healthy, gluten-free option)

This dessert parfait features a base of cultured coconut (aka coconut yogurt) mixed with semi-sweet chocolate chips and a bit of maple syrup for sweetness. Layering this yogurt mixture with naturally sweet and healthy California cling peaches and crunchy granola makes for a satisfying taste sensation that will have you forgetting about rich, fatty desserts. #vegan #glutenfree #healthy

Perhaps you can start the new year off with a total commitment to eating healthy foods like salads, fruits, vegetables and legumes, without any chocolaty desserts or sweet candies. But I'll bet that come February most of us are about ready for a change of pace. That's where balance comes into the equation.

I have been doing well this January, focusing on smoothies, smoothie bowls like my Peach Pie Smoothie Bowl, juices and salads. But I have a long history of devotion to dessert and I know that denying myself any sweets won't work indefinitely. So recently I created this healthy dessert parfait to satisfy my cravings in a healthy way - a way that doesn't encourage overindulging.

This dessert parfait features a base of cultured coconut (aka coconut yogurt) mixed with semi-sweet chocolate chips and a bit of maple syrup for sweetness. Layering this yogurt mixture with naturally sweet and healthy California cling peaches and crunchy granola makes for a satisfying taste sensation that will have you forgetting about rich, fatty desserts.

This dessert parfait features a base of cultured coconut (aka coconut yogurt) mixed with semi-sweet chocolate chips and a bit of maple syrup for sweetness. Layering this yogurt mixture with naturally sweet and healthy California cling peaches and crunchy granola makes for a satisfying taste sensation that will have you forgetting about rich, fatty desserts. #vegan #glutenfree #healthy

Just to make sure you're completely satisfied, I recommend crumbling up a couple of vegan chocolate chip cookies for a topping. Just enough of the sweet stuff to make it dessert, but not too much to cause your sweet tooth to kick into overdrive. If you or a friend or family member is eating gluten-free, you can make this recipe work by sourcing gluten-free granola and cookies (or making them yourself).






I always keep some canned peaches in my pantry cupboard for a quick snack or to use in recipes. A Michigan State University study found that canned fruits and vegetables deliver the most nutrition for the cost. They are a great option year-round and particularly in winter when the cost of fresh fruits is higher, in part because fresh fruits must be imported from warmer climates. California cling peaches are grown and canned in the United States, on family farms. They have no preservatives and are often packed in their own juice.

This dessert parfait features a base of cultured coconut (aka coconut yogurt) mixed with semi-sweet chocolate chips and a bit of maple syrup for sweetness. Layering this yogurt mixture with naturally sweet and healthy California cling peaches and crunchy granola makes for a satisfying taste sensation that will have you forgetting about rich, fatty desserts. #vegan #glutenfree #healthy

So what do you think - will this quick-to-create, tasty combo of peaches, yogurt, maple syrup, granola and chocolate chip cookies be the dessert treat you need to keep you on track with your healthy living goals right through February?

What do you use canned peaches for? I’d love to hear your ideas for getting more of this healthy fruit into your sweet and savoury meals.



Peachy Dessert Parfait (vegan)



by Joann MacDonald
Keywords: no bake gluten-free vegan
Ingredients (1 large parfait)
  • 1 cup unsweetened (plain) coconut yogurt (cultured coconut)
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup granola (homemade or store-bought - look for gluten-free)
  • 1/2 cup canned California cling peaches, drained and cut into small chunks
  • mini chocolate chip cookies for topping (look for store-bought gluten-free)
  • additional maple syrup for topping (optional)
Instructions

In a small bowl, stir together yogurt, maple syrup and chocolate chips.

In a serving bowl or parfait dish, layer yogurt mix, peaches and granola.

Drizzle with maple syrup if desired and crumble chocolate chip cookies on top.

Serve immediately. Enjoy!

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47 comments:

  1. Oh Jo that looks so good I could eat two lol and once again your pictures are beautiful

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    1. I think two would be perfectly acceptable. ;) And thank you!

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  2. I never ate cookies in a parfait! I love this idea. Oh, and my favourite recipe using canned peaches was definitely a peach and ginger crumble.

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  3. I'd use canned peaches for peach cobbler.

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  4. Yum, yum, yum. 'Cause one yum wasn't enough.
    jan

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  5. Ohhhhh, I love peaches! I need to try them in a parfait or with coconut yogurt in general! :) Great recipe.

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    1. Thank you! I'm completely addicted to the combo. :)

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  6. I really like to make Peaches and Cream Torte with canned peaches.

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  7. I love making dump cakes with canned peaches.

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  8. Oh my,this sure looks like a tasty dish,i love using can peaches for cheesecake and triffle

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  9. This looks so yummy !! I use canned peaches for cheesecake always turns out delicious !

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    1. Oooh, sounds good. I need to make a vegan cheesecake with peaches!

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  10. My husband would love it if I baked a peach pie! Besos Sarah.

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    1. I'm sure mine would love that too! Not sure it's going to happen though... ;) Thanks Sarah.

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  11. hmm,I love canned peaches,I eat them by themselves with dream whip on top!

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  12. I love to bbq halved peaches on the grill, then spoon on a caramel sauce and a little ice cream.

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  13. I love canned peaches. I make an amazing peach, matcha green tea powder, milk and ice smoothie. (try it)
    And I have a recipe for Peach Brown butter Tart that is my very favourite dessert.

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    1. That sounds like an incredible smoothie! And the tart sounds amazing too. :)

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  14. this looks so delicious - our whole family would love this :)

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  15. Oh yum! I simply ADORE putting canned peaches in rice pudding. It was my mom's specialty, and I have been hooked ever since!

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  16. This dessert parfait looks wonderful. I would love to use these peaches to put on my yogurt in the morning with a few walnuts too.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

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  17. I use canned peaches for peach pie and peach crisp. Soooo yummy!

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  18. I'd love to try canned peaches in pie or cobbler!

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  19. I like canned peaches in my cereal or yogurt.

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  20. Oh that looks amazing..I would use canned peaches for smoothies and top it on ice cream :)

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  21. I use canned peaches for peach cobbler

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  22. I use canned peaches for peach cobbler and peach crisp :)

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  23. I make a really yummy crumb with canned peaches. Same as apple crumb but since I am allergic to apples I use peaches :)

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  24. Great looking yogurt parfait! I love peaches and yogurt together:)

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  25. I have used canned peaches in smoothies - they are wonderful as an addition :)

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  26. I would use canned peaches in cocktails, unique touch and they look pretty.

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  27. I would use canned peaches to make an peach cheesecake.

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  28. mmmm I would probably used canned peaches to make peache upside down ricotta cake

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  29. I have a great recipe that uses grated sweet potatoes, almond flour and tinned peaches to make yummy muffins

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  30. That parfait looks delicious! I'd probably use canned peaches to make a peach pie.

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  31. With canned peaches, I would use puree, strain, and then serve it as a syrup to homemade icecream!

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  32. My husband loves to eat peaches with cream on top.

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  33. I would make a great peach crumble

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