Next time you get a craving for something sweet and healthy, delicious and easy to make, give this Cranberry Persimmon Parfaits a try. It is nothing fancy but it definitely will make you feel like you’re eating something elegant. Fresh persimmons and dried cranberries are heated in orange juice and a splash of liquor (if you dare), then layered with yogurt, granola and a few chopped nuts. A delicious little treat in less than 15 minutes! Serve for breakfast or impress your guests and serve as a light and delightful dessert.
Cranberry Persimmon Parfait
A light and refreshing breakfast, snack or dessert made with seasonal Fuyu Persimmons.
"*" See Kitchen Notes for more information or links to special ingredients.
- 1 ripe Fuyu persimmon, peeled and chopped into ¼” pieces*
- 1 tsp. chopped dried cranberries (Craisins)
- Juice from half an orange
- 1 to 2 tsp. liquor* (optional*)
- Chilled Maple Yogurt*
- Granola*
- Chopped almonds*
- In a microwave safe bowl, add the chopped persimmon, dried cranberries, orange juice and liquor. Stir to combine.
- Heat in the microwave on high for 45 to 60 seconds.
- Scoop about ¼ cup yogurt into each of two parfait glasses.
- Top the yogurt with about ¼ cup granola.
- Divide the fruit between the two glasses.
- If you are going to serve the parfaits immediately, pour some of the heated juice into each of the glasses.
- Top with a little more yogurt, some chopped almonds, and serve.
- If you aren’t going to serve immediately, wait to add the liquid to prevent the granola from getting soggy.
Persimmon – There are two common types of persimmons – Fuyu and Hachiya. Fuyu (the ones shown in the pictures) are semi-soft to soft when ripe. I usually core them and peel them before dicing. Hachiya on the other hand are best when really soft, almost mushy. Once they are ripe, they are too soft to dice; therefore, they don’t really work with this recipe. Hachiya are elongated and have an oval shape.
Yogurt – My favorite yogurt is Cream Top Brown Cow Maple Yogurt. It’s so good. If you don’t have maple yogurt, you could add a little maple syrup to plain yogurt or use vanilla yogurt.
Granola – A simple granola with no dried fruit works best, except of course if the granola has dried cranberries. If this is the case, then omit the dried cranberries in the fruit mix. If the granola has nuts in it, all the better.
Chopped Nuts – A few chopped nuts on top of the fruit adds more crunch. The nuts you use should be complementary of the granola. For this particular parfait, I used an almond granola and chopped almonds for the topping.
Liquor – Because the fruit is only heated in the microwave or left to macerate, the alcohol is not cooked out. Therefore, if you don’t use alcohol, then just leave it out. It’s really not needed to make this parfait delicious, but it does however make it extra delicious. If you don’t mind alcohol, then Cointreau, Grand Marnier, bourbon, brandy, or cognac all work just great.
Serving Suggestions – This makes an excellent dessert or snack, or lunch or breakfast (if you omit the liquor, or maybe not :)).
After making this Persimmon Parfait, if you have more persimmons, try this Persimmon Carparcio – another quick and easy recipe that lets the persimmons shine. And if you really want to enjoy the best fruit that winter has to offer, you could try this Winter Fruit Salad – a mix of persimmon, pineapple and pomegranates (just to name a few of the ingredients).
I love dishes that can be served as both a breakfast and a dessert, which really includes just about any dessert. Who says you can’t eat cobbler for breakfast? So, if you do enjoy a sweeter breakfast and don’t mind sharing it as a dessert, then here are a few more recipes you’ll like.
Guess what we tried for the first time this week? any guesses? ….Chocolate Persimmons! Oh my word, these are so good. Need to get some more and maybe try it with your delicious cranberry parfait!
Have never heard of chocolate persimmons! Need to find some of those. I can’t even imagine how good they are. YUM!
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Just found your site. Some of the recipes sound great. This recipe sounds interesting. I had never seen Fuyu Persimmons (the ones in your photo), in NM when i grew up and the more common hachiya must be eaten only when they are mushy (therefore impossible to use in this recipe-no dicing possible). Your readers might want to know that the 2 types differ in that one can be eaten when firm (Fuyu) but not the other .
Thanks so much Jan! You are so right about the persimmons. I’ll add that to my post. Great idea! In in ABQ I can find the Fuyu persimmons at the co-op and at Costco. The Hachiya persimmons are harder to find in my area. My sister had a Hachiya persimmon tree in her yard in Houston and I do remember them being mushy and sweet. She usually used the pulpy flesh in persimmon bread. Thanks for your comment and I hope to hear from you again!
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Did my comment go through?
The one about how I love persimmon so very much? We’d eat them right out of their skins back in Syria when we’d go holiday there.
This is a really refreshing way of serving them up, and so healthy too 🙂
There we go. Found it!
Oh my gosh, MJ, I lalalalalaloooove persimmon!!
You’ve presented them in such a tantalising way. Like they aren’t already. During my breaks as a child when we went to Syria we would eat these right out of their skins. So delicious! 🙂
Bookmarked for future inspiration. We don’t see them as often here, but when I do I’d love to whip this up!
Every year I always say I will make something with persimmon. Yet I still have not baked or cooked with them….I need to change this right? 🙂 I love your flavor combination, mixing in cranberries sounds fantastic! Yum, Hugs, Terra
I definitely didn’t know cranberries and persimmons can go well together. I have both in my house too. I’ll try with Greek yogurt (that’s only thing I have now) and no liquor version after I pick up my kids today!
Love, love, love persimmons. This is a great recipe. it may be simple but it is elegant and persimmons makes things so exotic.
Yogurt is my favorite ingredients too..and I use it in almost all of my recipes. Love this refreshing parfait..I would leave the fruit in ornage juice, as I don’t like the taste of hot orange juice. Hope your festive preps are in full swing, MJ. Hugs.
This is a fruit I really need to learn more about. This is the perfect introduction to including it in a simple way.
My mouth is watering so much right now! They look and sound fancy to me;) Now, I wonder if persimmons exist here, I’ll have to go find out. Thanks for sharing MJ! xx
Now I know what to do with the persimmons that I get from my colleagues when they bring some at the office, thanks for the recipe
My mother in law has two persimmon trees in her courtyard. I will definitely keep this recipe to try it when we will be given some fruits. Beautiful colors!
Okay… I think I have never had persimmons before. I do love a yummy parfait… so now need to try to find some. 🙂 I love the color.,, looks like a sunset in your glass 🙂
Ah, for the first time (really!), a persimmon recipe which actually makes me want to eat it. I’m not a huge fan… they always seem so sweet with no real defining flavour… just “sweetness”, but this looks like a lovely combination of textures and flavours. Very elegant!
The pictures are so beautiful, they have made me roll this page up and down several times. So elegant and so refreshing! Especially in these cold months when we keep on eating heavy, rich desserts (or maybe it’s only me…). This would be perfect for the lazy days I’m having. I have been dreaming of a cake for several weeks but somehow cannot force myself to start whipping the egg whites, baking… Now that I think I have never made anything with persimmon. Ever. Cranberries must give it a nice tangy kick. In short, it sounds fantastic.
What a wonderful combo and all done in 15 minutes!
I’m so glad you did this post, MJ. My colleague has a persimmon tree in her back yard and just brought me some. I’ve not done much with persimmons and I was wondering what I could make. After reading this post, my decision is made! This sounds SO good! Great post!
We’ll perfect timing! Hope you do give them a try. Enjoy!
I’ve only had persimmons by themselves and that was ages ago. This parfait that you’ve created sounds wonderful, MJ. This is such an attractive way to serve them, too. I agree they would make a great snack but I think many dinner guests would love to have this parfait served to them. It’s no ordinary parfait. 🙂
Thanks so much John! Oh yea, this would be great for quests!
What gorgeous parfaits! Can you believe I’ve never tasted a persimmon? And they grow around here….I need to take the plunge 🙂
Oh Liz… You really need to give persimmon a try. You’d love it! Thanks!
Oh my goodness MJ, this sounds positively heavenly… (and very fancy in my books ;-)). Does it ever look beautiful too — I love how the layers come through – colourful and interesting. And now that I just happen to be positioned in sunny California, I’m perfectly poised to make this delightful parfait 🙂 (persimmon heaven!). I suspect this would work equally well heated in a little pot on the stove? I’m adding this to my Recipe Wish List :).
Thanks so much Kelly! I bet you do have persimmon coming out your ears over there. Oh let’s see….yep I’m sure heating on this stovetop would work. :). I get lazy some times and, for short heat ups, the microwave is queen. 🙂
I’ve been enjoying something similar for lunch lately. Just with the addition of pomegranate seeds. Not only is a parfait like this good for you, but it just looks so festive, too, with those beautiful colors.
Yum! Pomegranate! That sounds good! Thanks!
Gorgeous pictures, MJ. I love the color contrasts.
Thanks Viviane! Persimmon makes a good subject. 🙂
I love persimmons but I’ve never paired them with cherries OR put them in a parfait. You genius!
Maureen, you’re so sweet! They are good with cherries and cranberries. I’ve also mixed them with blueberries with good results.
I don’t use persimmon enough in my recipes…your parfait looks so inviting, MJ. Gorgeous clicks as well.
Thanks so much Angie!
These look incredibly good. I love the colour of the persimmons and your glasses are very pretty. I love a dessert that isn’t going to take all day to prepare yet has that fine-dining look about it xx
Thanks Charlie! I’m always looking for anything that doesn’t take all day to throw together. 🙂
Ok, NOW I’m craving something sweet 😉
Thanks Guilia! This makes a great sweet breakfast. 🙂
This is such a perfect excuse to get some persimmons, I don’t use them enough and probably skipping liquor would make a wonderful breakfast1
Thanks Gintare! I hope you enjoy it if you get a chance to make it.
I just ran across a recipe from a friend for persimmon bread which has me thinking…where do you get persimmons??? I love this parfait!
Thanks Debra! I’ve been getting my persimmons at Costco and the local co-op. I also saw them at Smith’s the other day. Hope you find some. Persimmon bread is awesome!
Such a compelling dessert! Persimmons are often overlooked when they are such a sweet winter treat! And a healthy sweet during the holidays is so refreshing!
Thanks Deb! I started making this once the pies were gone from Thanksgiving. 🙂
What a lovely use persimmon, I got lots in the house right now so may give this recipe a whirl x
Thanks Deena! Hope you enjoy!
Really great dish! I simply don’t do enough with persimmons. I’m missing out, because their flavor is wonderful. And speaking of flavor, I don’t think I’ve ever had persimmons paired with cranberry. Love the idea! And you know me – the liquor would not be optional. 😉 Good recipe – thanks.
Thanks so much John! I crave persimmon season as much as I do peach season. When the persimmons are really ripe the cranberries add a bit of tartness to balance out the sweetness of the persimmon and the maple. Yep- I knew YOU would never even consider “optional”. 🙂
Brown Cow is my yogurt of choice too, but haven’t tried the maple flavor. Clearly I need to correct that oversight. I think I’ll just cut the liquor and have this for breakfast with my Brown Cow plain yogurt with a drizzle of maple syrup. I have a persimmon begging to be eaten. Perfect timing for this post of yours!!
You really need to big up the maple flavor next time. I buy the BIG size. 🙂 Oh – it’s the holidays – liquor for breakfast is allowed. He he. I hope you like it enjoy it Susan!
I made it and loved it! I always get the big tubs too, although this maple yogurt isn’t going to last long!! It adds just the right amount of maple. I think I’ll try it in a pound cake for fun and see what happens.
Oh I’m thrilled that you liked this! Thanks so much for letting me know! I see that I’ve turned your into a maple yogurt lover. 🙂 let me know if do make a pound cake with and how it turns out.
Gorgeous parfait I wouldn’t want to miss. Yummy!
Thanks so much Asmita!
Looks very delicious.. Beautiful pics