April 12, 2014

Chocolate pudding pie parfait

These simple chocolate pudding pie parfaits were inspired by my little guy's love of this chocolate pudding pie.  He recently asked me to make it and I did.  As he devoured it and called it "epic", I was reminded of how much he loves that pie, which is a little surprising considering he isn't a big fan of crusts or traditional pies in general. I'm starting to see he has an obvious affinity for cookie crusts though.
Should you be in the mood for a chocolate pudding pie, I know my little one (who isn't actually that little anymore since he'll be turning 9 in a couple of months!) would highly recommend this recipe For the last one I recently made, I actually used digestive biscuits instead of graham crackers since I had them on hand.  I was a little nervous about shaking anything up since I didn't want to disappoint the little one but I needn't have worried...he loved it!  I think it might have actually tasted better with the digestive biscuits (now if only I had thought to write down the proportions!).  

And so after that pie was long gone and I made a mental note to make it a little bit more often going forward, I thought I'd do an easy twist on it by making a "chocolate pudding pie parfait".  I was really just thinking of dressing up a basic chocolate pudding.  I simply took some digestive biscuits (the last of what I had on hand), crumbled them up, and set them down in a glass as a base layer.  You could use graham crackers or other similar cookies instead, and you could crush some toasted nuts (like hazelnuts) together with it if you want another layer of flavor.  I didn't go to the added step of making that base layer more like a pie crust by tossing the crumbs in butter or sugar - I took the opportunity to skip the fillers.
Then, I made my easy everyday chocolate pudding - a lighter, no-egg/cornstarch-based pudding - and layered it on top of the crushed cookies.  You need layers for a parfait and I considered some lightly whipped cream and chocolate shavings to be another layer to finish off these simple parfaits.

My picky 9-year old is actually not a fan of whipped cream.  I had some plain pudding set aside but he dug in and waved off my offer to take it off after he tasted it.  I do realize that may not be a good thing.
After a bike ride on a lovely Saturday afternoon, father and son came home and polished off these chocolate pudding parfaits as quickly as they would a generous slice of that pudding pie!  That definitely puts a big smile on my face because I love seeing others eating something they really enjoy.  Now I know why my mother used to watch me so intently while I ate.



Recipe:

Chocolate Pudding Pie Parfaits

- For approximately 6 servings (depending on size of serving glass/dish) - 

Base layer:
6 (or so) digestive biscuits (or use graham crackers or other similar cookies)

Chocolate Pudding:
One recipe: Everyday Chocolate Pudding

Topping:
1/3 cup very cold heavy cream
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Grated dark chocolate

Place digestive biscuits into a disposable sandwich bag and crush into coarse crumbs.  Place a layer into the bottom of your serving dishes.

Spoon cooled chocolate pudding over the top of the crumbs.  If not serving immediately, cover with plastic wrap (pressed directly on top of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming) and store in the refrigerator.

Before serving, whip heavy cream with the sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks.  Place a large dollop of cream on top of the pudding and top with some grated dark chocolate.  




44 comments:

  1. A wonderful dessert for chocolate lovers, Monica. Love your serving glasses too.

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  2. Oooh, I like the sound of "cookie crusts." These parfaits look gorgeous and so enticing, Monica! Have a great day

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    1. Haha - you must be a child at heart, Monica. : ) Thank you!

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  3. HI Monica, I love watching my family enjoy their food as well, it's a nice feeling. Beautiful pics and presentation! Happy week-end to you!

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    1. I hear you! Thank you, Cheri, and hope you're having a good weekend.

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  4. These are lovely, Monica! Such a pretty presentation!

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    1. Thanks, Marie....I don't think my little guy notices but the "big" guy (my husband) appreciates it. :)

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  5. I have yet to made pudding at home! Fail on my part! haha I love the sound of these parfaits with the cookie "crust". And homemade whipped cream just makes anything better : ) It's funny because I always thought I hated whipped cream (i.e. the stuff from the can) and then I made it myself ... world was changed! lol Happy weekend!

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    1. I think making pudding might fall into the "for kids" category a little bit. It's good and "bad" how things are so much better homemade...you know what I mean?

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  6. These look wonderful! I love the glasses!

    xx gemma @ gemmachew.com

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  7. This one would make me happy too, for sure, Monica! Beautiful glasses...:) ela@GrayApron

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    1. Thanks, Ela! I stumbled on these glasses a few years ago at Anthropology and I'm glad I snapped them up...I only have two though. : )

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  8. Your parfaits look so fancy in those glasses. What a wonderful treat! Homemade pudding is so delicious and something I should make more often.

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    1. Packaging does help a lot, doesn't it? It makes a very simple thing look like a special occasion. : ) And so right - homemade pudding is a different thing.

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  9. These parfaits look unbelievably creamy and delicious and the presentation is flawless! I love the way they look - so sophisticated! xx

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    1. Thanks! Those glasses are pretty - I don't think Anthropology makes them anymore though. :(

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  10. I am totally with you Monica. It is so satisfying watching your kids enjoy food that you have prepared - priceless!! These parfaits look divine. I have never made parfait before so I need to add them to my list! Have a good week :-)

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    1. Yes, absolutely. It's such a good feeling. I love saying "parfait"...it sounds so fancy but it's just anything layered in a glass. Sounds special though. : )

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  11. Oh wow, this looks so heavenly. I even liked your other recipe of chocolate pudding pie. So yummy and easy to make!!

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    1. So happy to hear that. My son just loves that chocolate pudding pie and it's fairly light so I feel good giving him a big slice like he asks. Take care!

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  12. This looks terrific! I love that you used digestives for the crust too--sounds like it'd be delish! I don't see why your little guy wouldn't love this version.

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    1. We're big fans of digestives around here. Glad the little one approves too. : )

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  13. Well, I do love chocolate pudding pie, but that won't stop me from devouring these parfaits!!

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    1. They do go down rather easy. Thanks, Joanne!

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  14. How cute - your Mom would watch you while you ate. I get so much happiness from someone enjoying my food creations. I bet your little guy loved eating out of the fancy glass and enjoyed it even more knowing you made it for him. What a great mom you are! Chocolate pudding is always a good idea and I've found we do like digestive biscuits too. Just the right amount of sweetness. Have a great week!

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    1. There's something about watching someone eat something they love and seeing that enjoyment... : ) I know the little one loves these puddings and that pie but I'm not really sure he notices things like the "fancy" glasses. He is a very typical boy! Thanks for your kind words,Tricia.

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  15. Sounds like your son and my son's birthdays are very close together! Laith will be 9 in May and the requests for cakes and a party are already coming in.
    I could vey easily devour these chocolate pudding parfaits myself! They look delicious!

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    1. Hi Nazneen - my son turns 9 in June! They are so close in age so you know exactly what I'm going through...haha! : )

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  16. I love the gorgeous presentation for these parfaits and the cookie crust sounds wonderful in here:) I can see why your lil guy and husband polished these off, they look fantastic! It's nice to see your loved ones enjoy what you make for them - your family is so lucky to have you make such wonderful treats for them all the time :)

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    1. Aww...you're too sweet, Kelly! I enjoy cooking and making things for my family so it's partly selfish on my end. : )

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  17. Monica these look so good! I know everyone in my family would love to see these make an appearance in my kitchen. Pinning!

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    1. Thanks so much, Cindy! Chocolate pudding is one of those things I loved as a kid and forget how good it is until I have a homemade batch.

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  18. These look so elegant...like all the layers...and the various textures...yum!
    Thanks for the inspiration Monica...have a wonderful week :D

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    1. Thanks, Juliana - I think it's the glasses they're in. : )

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  19. As a blogger i want to comment on how good the pictures are and also about how well the ingredients look like they blend together, but as a chocolate addict i want to comment on how much i want them now!!! lol great post i love it

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    1. That's so nice of you to say, Jessica! I'm glad you think it turned out well. It's just a simple chocolate pudding but simple things are so good most of the time! : )

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  20. I love parfaits, individual servings not only look cuter but also controls calories. This looks amazing!!

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    1. Same here...I love the layers of a parfait or a trifle. Portion control is necessary sometimes, isn't it? ; )

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  21. All of these gorgeous chocolate desserts are making me hungry-I have such a weakness for chocolate! These look fabulous!

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    1. Hi Dawn! I am always hungry for chocolate and chocolate desserts. I was born that way. : )

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