Decadent Low Carb Strawberry Pistachio Parfaits
Strawberry Pistachio Parfaits are low-carb and delicious treats served in a glass. Layers of almond and coconut flour cake, sweet fresh strawberries, and homemade whipped mascarpone cream create a lavish yet easy treat for anyone trying to cut back on carbs.
| serving size | carbs | fibre | net carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 glass | 50.8g | 36.3g | 11.5g |
Low Carb Strawberry Pistachio Parfaits
Spoil yourself in the decadent delight of Strawberry Pistachio Parfaits with layers of pistachio sponge cake, juicy sweet strawberries, and a heavenly homemade mascarpone whipped cream nestled in a wine glass or any serving glass.
Cut back on carbs
These parfaits are not only delicious but also easy to make. They allow you to savour every spoonful while cutting back on carbs. You can whip up the sugar-free sponge cake layer in your microwave and then quickly assemble all the layers to indulge in these lavish delights.
Year-round dessert
Although these treats look ready for Summer, there’s no need to wait until then to make them. Frozen strawberries are readily available all year long, and they come with an added perk in that they release a wonderfully juicy sauce that can be drizzled over the low-carb sponge cake cubes. It’s a must!
Make ahead
It’s even a good idea to make these parfaits ahead when you know you’ll crave something sweet later in the day, more so after dinner. Make and assemble these delicious parfaits early in the day and refrigerate them so the strawberry juices soak into the sugar-free cake pieces.
Why You Should Make Strawberry Pistachio Parfaits
Low Carb: Each ingredient in this parfait recipe is low in carbs, making it easy to manage your carb intake.
Sugar-Free: This recipe uses low-carb sugar and natural sweeteners that won’t affect your blood sugar levels or cholesterol. Plus, it tastes just as delicious!
Quick and Easy: You can make this recipe without a stove or oven, just a microwave and an electric whisk.
Customizable: You can adjust the recipe to fit different glass sizes, providing flexibility in portion sizes and carb content.
Year-Round Dessert: Whether summer or winter, you can enjoy this dessert using fresh or frozen strawberries.
Nutrition, Carbs and Servings
Additionally, this recipe makes 4 regular parfait glasses and is very filling. However, it’s possible to turn it into one big trifle-style bowl, ideal for when you don’t have time to assemble it into individual glasses.
Alternatively, divide the recipe into smaller portions for carb intake control or for sharing with family and friends at potlucks and parties.
under 15g net carbs per serving
- 50.8g of carbohydrates
- 36.3g of fibre
- 11.5g of net carbs
What is a Parfait?
- Parfait is a French word meaning “perfect,” pronounced as “Par-feh.” It’s a dessert that comes in a glass and is ideal for portion control in low-carb diets.
- Originally, a parfait consisted of layers of cold and creamy ingredients like ice cream, yogurt, fruits, and syrup topped with granola.
- However, modern parfait recipes often include a spongy layer that absorbs syrupy fruit sandwiched in between the creamy layers, and this parfait recipe is no exception. By the way, If you enjoy the concept of a spongy texture soaked in flavoured syrup, you might also like a savoury dish called Dhokla.
- Furthermore, if you love layered desserts, try my Amaretto Cheesecake Mousse, the perfect size for introducing an impressive low-carb parfait-style dessert to friends and family.
What’s in Low-Carb Strawberry Pistachio Parfaits
Given that the main ingredients are used in various layers for this recipe, let’s delve into the different layers of this delectable and straightforward low-carb parfait. I will also share the ingredients present in each layer with you.
Pistachio sponge cake layer
The sponge layer is a simple cake made with almond and coconut flour, crushed pistachios, eggs, low-carb sugar, melted butter, baking powder, and vanilla extract. It creates a fibre-rich sponge that effectively absorbs the juices from the strawberries. Mix all the ingredients and microwave until the texture becomes firm but spongy.
Strawberry layer
The simplicity and natural sweetness of fresh or frozen strawberries, combined with a touch of water and low-carb sugar, create a delightful, sweet, fruity layer that softens the sponge cake layer under it.
Allow the strawberries to soften and release their juices. They will bathe in a syrupy sweet sauce that infuses the entire dessert with juicy flavour.
Whipped mascarpone cream layer
This layer is decadent and creamy, and if you love tiramisu, you will appreciate the creaminess in every spoonful.
Whip the whipping cream on high speed for around 5 minutes until it becomes firm, then set it aside. Mix the mascarpone cheese, vanilla extract, and sweetener, and then gently fold in the whipped cream. Combine and whisk until both mixtures have blended into a smooth, creamy mixture, and then set it aside.
How to Assemble Strawberry Pistachio Parfaits
Once the sponge cake layer is cooled, carefully slice it into small, uniform cubes. Then, grind the pistachios into small, textured pieces. Make sure to have all the prepared layers within easy reach as you assemble the parfaits.
Layering parfaits
In your serving glass, begin with a spoonful of the strawberry mixture with some of its juice. Next, add a few sponge cake cubes and a layer of mascarpone whipped cream. Then, repeat layering until the glass is filled, adjusting based on the size of your glass and servings.
Strawberry and pistachio to garnish
Finally, garnish with crushed pistachios and a halved strawberry.
Refridgerate parfaits
Once all the parfaits are assembled, place them on a tray in the fridge and chill for 20 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Quick Tips and Suggestions
- Lightly cover the sponge cake as it cools to prevent it from becoming too dry; otherwise, it may not soak up the strawberry juice well.
- For a thicker fruit layer, cook the strawberries with the sweetener and water in a pan on a stovetop. But if you like the taste of fresh strawberries, then let them soak longer in the sweetener and water.
- Cut the sponge layer into small, uniform pieces no larger than 1-inch square. This makes it easy to nestle them into the serving glasses.
- Strawberry pistachio Parfaits taste great when served slightly chilled, but if you feel they are too cold, I suggest leaving them on the counter for about 10 minutes to enjoy them properly.
Can You Turn Strawberry Pistachio Parfaits into a Trifle?
Yes, you can make these Strawberry Pistachio Parfaits into one big trifle bowl. It would be a visually appealing and convenient way to serve this recipe without the hassle of layering each glass individually. Layer the low-carb sponge cake, strawberries, and whipped cream beautifully in the trifle bowl for a stunning presentation. Serve spoonfuls in dessert bowls and enjoy.
Alternative Fruit Layers
- Looking to shake things up further with your parfait? Try some delicious alternative fruits like blueberries and blackberries. You can use them the same way as the strawberries in the recipe.
- Furthermore, add a raspberry flavour to the mascarpone cream layer, like this raspberry puree recipe. Since most berries are low in carbs, including this combination would enhance your parfait while keeping its carb content unchanged.
- However, if you’re not too concerned about the sugar content in this recipe, experiment with cooked apples or pears sweetened with low-carb sugar.
- Pineapple, peaches, and mangos would also bring a tropical touch to parfaits.
Storage and Make-Ahead Notes
Assembled Parfaits:
Refrigerate assembled Strawberry Pistachio Parfaits in a tray covered with plastic wrap to serve on the same day.
On the other hand, if you are not serving them immediately, keep assembled parfaits in a flat-bottomed glass or plastic container with enough headroom to cover them with a fitted lid. That way, they will not absorb any smells from other ingredients in the fridge.
Make Ahead:
Store the sponge cake layer, the sweetened strawberries, and the mascarpone cream layer in individual containers fitted with a lid in the fridge for 3 days. Allow the cake layer to come to room temperature, assembling the parfaits before serving them.
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Decadent Low Carb Strawberry Pistachio Parfaits
INGREDIENTS
SPONGE CAKE LAYER
- ⅔ cup Almond Flour
- 4 tbsp Powdered Sweetener (Monkfruit, Erythritol) - grind granular sweetener in a coffee or spice grinder
- 3 tbsp Coconut Flour
- ½ tsp Baking Powder
- ¼ cup Salted Butter - Melted and cooled
- 2 tbsp Pistachios - Crushed
- 2 Eggs
- ½ tsp Vanilla Extract
SWEET STRAWBERRY LAYER
- 1 lbs Strawberries - Hulled and quartered
- 1 tbsp Sweetener (Monkfruit, Erythritol)
- 2 tbsp Water
WHIPPED MASCARPONE CREAM LAYER
- 1 cup Mascarpone Cheese - Full fat
- 6 tbsp Powdered Sweetener (Monkfruit, Erythritol)
- 6 oz Whipping Cream
- ½ tsp Vanilla Extract
GARNISH
- Crushed Pistachios
- Halved Strawberries
INSTRUCTIONS
SPONGE CAKE LAYER
- Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. In a separate bowl or measuring jug, mix the cooled melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Then, add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and use a spatula to combine until a sticky dough batter forms.
- Transfer the batter to a lightly greased microwavable dish (2 quarts) and microwave on high for 4 minutes or until the surface is firm and bounces back. You'll notice the edges will separate from the sides of the dish.
- Set the sponge cake aside to cool.
SWEET STRAWBERRY LAYER
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the diced strawberries, sweetener and water until incorporated. Set the bowl aside to allow the strawberries to release their juice.
WHIPEED MASCARPONE CREAM LAYER
- In a large bowl attached to a stand mixer (or for an electric handheld mixer), whip whipping cream with a wire whisk until stiff peaks form. Ensure not to over-whip, or it will become like butter instead of fluff.
- Transfer the whipped cream into another bowl, set aside.
- Add mascarpone, vanilla extract and sweetener to the mixing bowl, and blend to incorporate.
- Then fold in the whipped cream and whisk until both have combined into a creamy mixture. Set aside
HOW TO LAYER STRAWBERRY PISTACHIO PARFAITS
- Once the sponge cake layer is cooled, transfer it to a chopping board and carefully slice it into small, uniform cubes. Then, grind the pistachios into small, textured pieces. Make sure to have all the prepared layers within easy reach as you assemble the parfaits.
- Grind the pistachios into small, textured pieces. Make sure to have all the prepared layers within easy reach as you assemble the parfaits.
- In your serving glass, begin with a spoonful of the strawberry mixture with some of its juice. Next, add a few sponge cake cubes and a layer of mascarpone whipped cream. Then, repeat layering until the glass is filled, adjusting based on the size of your glass and servings.
- Finally, garnish with some crushed pistachios and a halved strawberry.
- Once all the parfaits are assembled, place them on a tray in the fridge and chill for 20 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
RECIPE NOTES
Quick Tips and Suggestions
- Lightly cover the sponge cake as it cools to prevent it from becoming too dry; otherwise, it may not soak up the strawberry juice well.
- For a thicker fruit layer, cook the strawberries with the sweetener and water in a pan on a stovetop. But if you like the taste of fresh strawberries, then let them soak longer in the sweetener and water.
- Cut the sponge layer into small, uniform pieces no larger than 1-inch square. This makes it easy to nestle them into the serving glasses.
- Strawberry pistachio Parfaits taste great when served slightly chilled, but if you feel they are too cold, I suggest leaving them on the counter for about 10 minutes to enjoy them properly.