Sun-Maid recommended that I “start the day with a parfait…raisins, fresh fruit, light, easy-to-make orange-raisin cream cheese and crunchy granola layered in your favorite stemmed glasses. It’s a healthful and easy-to-make breakfast!” They sent me their Morning Parfait recipe along with raisins to make it. It’s definitely an elegant and delicious way to start the day.
I made a few changes to the recipe to lighten it up even further. I reduced the amount of cream cheese and added a container of Greek Yogurt. I used agave syrup instead of sugar and I made my own low fat granola using Earth Balance® Organic Coconut Spread.
Earth Balance sent me coupons to try their new Coconut Spread made with extra virgin coconut oil. It’s an affordable alternative to coconut oil and it’s vegan, lactose-free and organic. Since I’ve seen lots of blog posts about baking with coconut oil, I was happy to give it a try.
I wasn’t disappointed. My son said this was his favorite granola recipe yet and I agree. The coconut spread with the agave syrup gave it a light, fresh taste. We love dried cherries and almonds, so for us this is the perfect granola. I hope you’ll give it a try.
Morning Parfaits with Coconut Cherry Granola
Ingredients
- ½ cup Sun-Maid Natural Raisins
- 4 tablespoons orange juice divided
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons agave syrup
- 1 8 oz light or fat free cream cheese softened
- 1 6 oz container low fat Greek yogurt
- 2 cups chopped fresh berries
- ½ cup low-fat granola
Coconut Cherry Granola
- 4 cups old fashioned oats
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ½ cup dried cherries halved
- ½ cup unsweetened desiccated coconut fine
- ¼ cup flax seed meal optional
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt
- ⅓ cup Earth Balance® Organic Coconut Spread*
- ¼ cup agave syrup*
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
Instructions
- In microwave-safe bowl, combine raisins, 1 tablespoon orange juice and vanilla. Cover and microwave on high for 45 seconds; let stand one minute to plump raisins.
- Remove a handful of raisins for garnish. Add agave syrup and remaining 3 tablespoons of orange juice to raisins in bowl.
- In medium bowl, whisk cream cheese until smooth, mix in Greek yogurt. Mix in raisin mixture and blend well.
- Layer in four tall wine or parfait glasses in the following order: raisin cream cheese/yogurt mixture, fruit, granola; repeat layers of cream cheese mixture and fruit. Garnish with a dollop of cream cheese mixture and sprinkle with raisins.
- Coconut Cherry Granola
- In a large bowl mix oats, brown sugar, almonds, cherries, coconut, flax seed meal, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a microwave safe bowl heat coconut spread until melted. Whisk in agave and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture over the oat mixture and mix thoroughly until everything is completely coated.
- Spread evenly on a parchment or silpat covered cookie sheet. Bake at 300º for about 20 - 25 minutes until slightly golden brown. Don’t stir during baking. Cool completely and break into pieces. Store in an air tight container. *You can substitute canola oil and honey.
Notes
Other granola recipes you might like:
Tropical Granola, Barbara Bakes
Easy Vanilla Granola, You Know You Ought To
Almond Raisin Granola, Barbara Bakes
Peanut Butter Granola Balls, Two Peas and Their Pod
Blueberry Almond Granola Bars, Mountain Mama Cooks
Eliana
With a treat like this one, no breakfast should be boring. Looks amazing!
Faith
I love homemade granola and the flavors you’ve chosen in this one sound fantastic! Great way to start the day!
Debbie
This looks like something I would want to wake up to! It looks like it is not only pretty to look at, it would be wonderful to taste.
Thanks for sharing,
Debbie
Paula
This just might make me become a regular eater of breakfasts!
teresa
a gorgeous parfait like this would definitely brighten our morning, i love the granola!
cindy harris
I would like one of these every morning delivered to my home! In a pretty glass of course. These look delicious. I have yet to try agave syrup. I’ll put it on my shopping list. Actually what are the pros in using agave syrup? I’m slow!
Have a great weekend.
Barbara
Hi Cindy – One of the reasons I like to use agave is because you don’t have to wait for it to dissolve like sugar, so it blends in really easily. And it doesn’t add a strong flavor like honey. I especially love using it with fruit. There are other glycemic reasons to use it too, but for me mainly it’s convenience and taste. Thanks!
Marla
We love breakfast parfaits too. These look wonderful & I must get my hands on some of that coconut spread.
gloria
Look amazing and delicious!! Gloria
Maria
This is my kind of breakfast or snack or dessert:)