How does that saying go?  Necessity is the mother of invention? Over the years the kids have developed very different likes and dislikes, but they all enjoy yogurt (but go their own way when it comes to which flavors are their favorite).

Each week I buy a large organic or Greek yogurt (I follow the sales) in vanilla and use it for customized parfaits.  The parfaits can include any elements you have on hand, and can be geared to each children’s taste.  You can also clean and cut the fruit and leave out the toppings and let the kids create their own parfait masterpiece!

Ingredients:

Half of a 32 oz. container of your favorite yogurt (makes 3 parfaits)

Fresh fruit (cleaned blueberries, blackberries or raspberries, cleaned and sliced strawberries, coin shaped banana slices or a combination)

Crunchy element (could be a layer of granola, a cookie, cheerios sprinkled on top or chopped up peanuts or pecans)

Squirt of whipped cream and/or swirls of chocolate or butterscotch syrup, homemade fruit sauces or drizzle of honey (if the yogurt is a particularly tart Greek variety, mix in some honey to sweeten it)

Stir in a couple of shakes of cinnamon for a boost of flavor

What I did for the photo above, was take vanilla yogurt, mix in cinnamon, then added each kid’s favorite fruit to the top. Then I drizzled on some Hershey syrup and added a Milano cookie.

Sometimes I layer the parfait, for instance, these could be the layers:

• Yogurt
• Sliced strawberries
• Yogurt
• Granola
• Whipped cream
• Sliced strawberries or strawberry sauce if I you have some leftover

It is a good way to create a healthy dessert and can be made with whatever you have on hand, just think of balancing crunchy and smooth; as well as, sweet and tart.