Tropical fruit Parfaits {lightened up}

We came back from our summer travels to find Dave had harvested a truckload of tropical fruit:  coconuts, bananas, mangoes and papaya. (just to name a few.)

Welcome to summertime in Hawaii.
Please send help. 

I unpacked my bags, then got busy dehydrating bananas, slurping down fresh mango (hello Heaven,)  and gulping copious amounts of coconut water. (Has it always been so humid around here?)

Then I thought we might as well get some dessert out of the deal.  Because after a week and a half with the grandparents, my boys tend to think that dessert is a required ending to every meal.  (Levi:  “Mom, I ate all of my breakfast.  What can I have for dessert?”   Not.  Joking.)

I decided that a lightened up tropical parfait might be just the right thing.  Sweet enough to qualify as dessert, but light enough to make me feel a little better.

Then I thought you should probably make these, too.

You can vary these a hundred and twelve different ways, of course, making them as healthy (or NOT) as you like.

I chose to use vanilla yogurt, tropical fruits, toasted coconut, and a store-bought butter pound cake. (because it’s all about moderation.)

But clearly you could healthy it up by omitting the pound cake (think:  granola, chia seeds, nuts…) OR…if healthy is not your goal then by all means, ditch the yogurt and add in some real whipping cream.  (and tell me what time dessert will be served.) (I heart whipping cream.)

Whatever you do, I hope you’ll try these tropical fruit parfaits…
PS:  They’re great for when you want to look fancy, but not bad enough to do much.  😉

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Tropical fruit Parfaits {lightened up}

Course Dessert

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 4 -6

Author monicaswanson.com

Ingredients

• 1 small loaf butter pound cake or angel food cake
• 2 cups vanilla yogurt or whipping cream if you're feeling wild
• 1/2 cup each: diced pineapple papaya, banana, and mango
• toasted coconut for topping

Instructions

1. Cube up the cake and place a shallow layer at the bottom of each parfait dish
2. place a layer of yogurt or whipping cream
3. top with a few pieces of each of the fruits
4. repeat each layer one more time
5. Top with toasted coconut
6. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to a few hours
7. ENJOY!

Pin and share so your friends can try these too, k?

And just cuz I love to hear from you, tell me in comments:
What is your favorite TROPICAL FRUIT?  (mine is mango, hands down!)

With Aloha,
Monica

PS  Got berries?  Try my favorite family style Berry Trifle! 🙂