This week I wanted to make a fun and easy dessert for our family to enjoy after dinner. I had a box of candy cane pudding and a carton of Cool Whip frosting that I wanted to use together.
Another search of my cupboards and I also found some mini candy canes and some candy cane Oreos hiding in the very back. Don't you hide cookies too? If I keep them in plain sight, my family will eat them before I have a chance to get creative with them.
I even found these cute parfait glasses that I had forgotten about. (You know you have a prop addiction when you can't remember when you bought the said cute glasses.) But when they are only $.50 a piece, it is an ok addiction to have for the time being.
This tray is made of acacia wood and has silver metal alloy handles. You will be surprised when you pick this piece up...it is very sturdy and has some weight to it. The wood tray is so pretty, that I have given it a permanent place on our dining room table.
This tray has so many uses. You can obviously serve food or drinks from it, but you could also create a fun centerpiece using the tray as the base. It is a very practical piece and works well with any decor.
These easy and pretty pudding parfaits were the perfect dessert to serve on the tray. Of course I plan on serving everything I make on it.
It is too pretty not too! And in between food, I have a candle, napkins, and salt & pepper nestled in a bed of greenery. Like I said, it is very versatile.
Recipe
Candy Cane Pudding Parfaits
Pudding, cream cheese, and cookie crumbs make up a fancy but easy dessert parfait.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Candy Cane Oreo crumbs
- 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 1 - 8 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 - 3.4 ounce box Jello candy cane instant pudding mix
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 Tablespoons crushed candy cane pieces
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy.
- Stir in the milk. Fold in 1 ½ cups Cool Whip and set aside.
- Whisk together the pudding mix and milk. Let set for 5 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Layer the crumbs, cream cheese mix, and pudding in parfait glasses. Top with the extra Cool Whip and sprinkle with candy cane pieces.
- Serve within an hour of making. They will keep in the refrigerator, but the layers will start to run together.
Notes
*Add a little bit of pink food color to increase the pink color of the pudding.
*Use icing bags and tips to prepare the parfaits with clean edges.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 603Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 301mgCarbohydrates: 85gFiber: 1gSugar: 59gProtein: 6g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Michelle Muckala
Those are gorgeous!!! And delicious looking, but i need to know-how in the WORLD did you layer those, in that deep of glasses, without getting the layers mixed/stuff on the side? Or am I the only one that messy ha ha! Seriously though, what is your secret? I want to make some of these, beautiful!
Jocelyn
haha! I meant to add that to my post when I was writing it. Thanks for calling me out on it. I actually used frosting decorating bags and tips so I could reach in and keep everything clean.
Kristi
I think I would serve some asian inspired chicken with rice, although there are so many recipes that I want to try that the options are endless!
I've never heard of Nambe before, so I am definitely interested to see what they have!
Alaine
Beautiful tray, I love Nambe. I would serve fruit on it.
Barb Evans
I've been in love with Nambe since I helped my daughter-in-law register for her wedding nearly 4 years ago. We discovered Nambe at Macy's and just had to have some. Now I get her at least 1 new piece each Christmas (coveting it all the way).
If I'm lucky enough to win this beautiful tray, I'll use it to serve egg nog punch. I make a mean egg nog punch. 🙂
Barb @ itsabouttimeteachers.blogspot.com
jacqueline
I'd pretty much serve everything on this tray. Coffee, cookies, coffee cake, cookie cake?..., fruit tarts, chips/dip... I could go on and on... haha
jacqueline
I can't wait to try these!! Looks so delicious!
nicolette
would love the tray 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
Cookies. And I WANT THAT TRAY. 🙂
MaryB
I would serve Christmas cookies on the tray. Thanks for offering the chance to win.
Annie
I would serve some Asian cuisine, since the wood reminds me of bamboo, haha. Maybe eggrolls or Banh Mi?
Jenn@eatcakefordinner
I would serve some bacon wrapped asparagus!
Lyuba @willcookforsmiles
Those parfaits sounds wonderful! Thanks for the giveaway, the tray is lovely!
Natalie Shaw
I love your darling food! I love the tray too! I use trays all the time...this one would be my new favorite! I'd start with some holiday goodies! 🙂
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking
Those parfait look amazing Jocelyn! I love the pink and black contrast. Gorgeous!
Jocelyn
Thank you Roxana. That means so much to me coming from you...I always adore your pictures:-)
Tammy
I would serve cookies and milk first. Then probably everything that fit on it.
Karen
That looks perfect for breakfast in bed!
Liz
I would serve all of my Christmas baking that's in the freezer on this tray. It's beautiful...thanks for the chance to win it!
Nicole @ Lapetitebaker
I have never heard of candy cane pudding before. However, it doesn't surprise me. Around the holidays, there are a ton of new flavors. These parfait looks so cheerful and that tray is the perfect backdrop for them.
The Witch's Kitchen
Candy Cane pudding?? I haven't heard of that one yet. I need to go find it!
Jocelyn
I found it at our local Meijer store...I hope you have good luck finding it!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
Your parfaits turned out absolutely gorgeous!!! I'm in love. My mom adores my Nambe pieces, it would be fun to win a tray for her!
Now, can I come over and help you eat one of those parfaits?
Jocelyn
That is so sweet!!! And you can come over any day and help me eat goodies:-)