Sweet, creamy, and packed with fresh berries, this Berries and Cream Parfait is a simple yet indulgent dessert that you’ll want to make all summer long. With just a few kitchen staples and your favorite seasonal berries, it’s an effortless way to bring something special to any meal.

two glasses of berries and cream parfait with a jar of blueberries and a sparkler

This parfait was a staple of my childhood summers, and one of my mom’s most requested recipes in her catering business. The ingredients were kept a closely guarded secret—until now.

Made with just heavy cream, sour cream, a hint of vanilla, and dark brown sugar, this dessert is simple yet bursting with flavors reminiscent of our No Bake Summer Berry and Ladyfinger Trifle. The sweet, caramel-like layers pair perfectly with fresh berries, making it a delicious and satisfying treat.

If you love light and fruity desserts as much as we do, this parfait offers the same fresh, summery vibe as our Mixed Summer Berry Tiramisu. It’s the perfect choice when you want something special without too much effort.

glass containing finished parfait with a spoonful scooped out, spoon with scoop of parfait, and a mint sprig on the side

This Berries and Cream Parfait Is:

Simple Ingredients – You only need a few basic ingredients to create a dessert that feels extra special.
Versatile – You can mix and match your favorite seasonal berries, making it perfect for any time of year.
Make-Ahead Friendly – Prepare the parfaits ahead of time and let the flavors meld together in the fridge for an even better taste.
No Bake – No need to turn on the oven! Like our Easy Tiramisu Cups, this dessert is easy to assemble and requires no baking.
Crowd-Pleaser – With its creamy layers and fresh berries, this dessert is always a hit at gatherings, just like our Summer Triple Berry Pan Dowdy or our Homemade Pavlova with Lemon Curd and Mixed Berries.

Making This Berries and Cream Parfait:

Full ingredient amounts and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

The Cream Layers: Just like with our Chantilly Cream, the heavy cream and vanilla are beaten with an electric mixer to stiff peaks. Once the cream gets to stiff peaks, mix in the sour cream.
The Brown Sugar Layers: Dark brown sugar is layered on top of the cream to create a caramel-flavored layer without the heaviness or chewiness of caramel.
The Berry Layers: Use your favorite mix of fresh berries. We used strawberries and blueberries, but you can also add blackberries or raspberries; or even just use a single fruit.

Fun Ways To Switch It Up

Fruit Dip: Instead of layering in glasses, you can layer the whipped cream and dark brown sugar in a serving bowl. Serve with fresh strawberries on the side, or spoon it out and enjoy with a variety of fruits.
Customize the Berries: While strawberries and blueberries are always a hit, feel free to use any combination of fresh berries—raspberries, blackberries, or a mix of all three. This is a great way to showcase seasonal fruit.
Serve with Graham Crackers: For a fun summer twist, serve the parfait alongside graham crackers for a version that’s perfect for dipping.

close up shot of glass with layers of berries, brown sugar, and cream sitting on a marble coaster with a spoon beside it

More Berry Recipes To Love:

When you make this Berries and Cream Parfait recipe, leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #BakersTable.

4.75 from 4 votes

Berries and Cream Parfait

Author: Traci Crossland

This Berries and Cream parfait is light, airy, fluffy, caramel-y, and loaded with delicious fresh berries! It's the perfect summer dessert!

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Prep Time: 10

Additional Time 1

Total Time: 1 10

Servings: 4 parfaits

Ingredients

▢ 2 cups heavy cream, cold
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 1 cup sour cream, cold
▢ ½ cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
▢ 4 cups fresh berries, washed, drained, and sliced

US Customary – Metric

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Instructions

Whip heavy cream and vanilla at high speed of an electric mixer until stiff peaks form, 2-3 minutes.
Stir in sour cream.
In a 16 ounce glass, layer ½ cup berries then ½ cup cream mixture.
Top with 1 Tablespoon dark brown sugar.
Repeat layers until you reach the top of the glass.
Cover with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate overnight.

Notes + Tips!

Make Ahead and Storage: If you’re layering the parfait with berries, it’s best to enjoy it within 1-2 days to keep the berries fresh. Wrap the top of each glass with plastic wrap and refrigerate. For the dip version, without the berries layered in, you can store it for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Cold Cream is Essential: Make sure your heavy cream is cold before whipping. Warm cream won’t whip at all, so it’s important to start with chilled cream for the perfect texture.
Dark Brown Sugar Matters: Don’t substitute light brown sugar! The extra molasses in dark brown sugar is what gives this parfait its rich, caramel-like flavor.
Let It Chill: Refrigerating the parfait overnight is key. This allows the brown sugar to liquify and develop that delicious caramel flavor. Skipping this step will leave the sugar grainy and won’t provide the same depth of flavor.
Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter dessert, feel free to add more brown sugar between the layers. If you like it less sweet, reduce the sugar or skip one layer.

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When you make this recipe, remember to tag @bakerstble or hashtag it #BakersTable!

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