This rich and creamy lemon pudding parfait recipe is a light and refreshing treat made with creamy lemon pudding, lemon wafers, and whipped cream and garnished with a lemon slice, lemon wafer, and a mint leaf. The perfect summertime dessert or afternoon snack.
If you love lemon, then this is the recipe for you! This sweet and tangy parfait is loaded with layers of lemony goodness, with its rich, creamy lemon pudding, sweet lemon wafers, and whipped cream topping. It’s a dessert you can make all year long, but I love to save it for a summer time treat to serve at barbecues, pool parties, and other warm-weather events. After all, lemon is the classic summer flavor. I’ve been making these parfaits for years, and they always make the perfect dessert for pretty much any occasion!
Lemon Pudding Parfait
These delicious parfaits feature an extra-rich pudding made with lemon instant pudding, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped cream. Then, I layer it with lemon wafer cookies and top it all off with more whipped cream. It’s an ultra-rich, sweet and tangy dessert that everyone loves on a hot day. It’s also a super fun dessert to serve because everyone gets their own little parfait in a glass!
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Pudding Parfait Recipe
- It’s easy to make and is the perfect dessert for busy weeknights or afternoon snacks.
- It’s delicious and the combination of sweet and tart lemon pudding, creamy whipped cream, and crunchy cookies is simply irresistible.
- It is versatile and can be easily customized to fit your family’s taste by adding different types of cookies, fruit, or nuts to the parfaits. You can also use different flavors of pudding, such as strawberry, chocolate, or vanilla.
Lemon Pudding Parfait Ingredients
It only takes a handful of ingredients to make this recipe, and one of them is water! Easy peasy.
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Ice cold water
- Jello® instant lemon pudding mix
- Heavy whipping cream
- Lemon wafers
- Whipped cream
How to Make lemon Pudding Parfaits
Making this recipe is a snap. The most labor-intensive part of this recipe is whipping the cream, which really is nothing at all. You’ll be all done in just a few quick and easy steps.
Step 1: Make the Pudding
Beat the condensed milk and water on medium speed in a medium bowl until combined. Then, add the instant pudding and beat until smooth. Cover and chill 2 hours or overnight. When the pudding is firm, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Then, gently fold the pudding into the whipped cream until combined.
Step 2: Make the Parfaits
Add a few lemon wafers to the bottom of the parfait cups. Then, add a layer of lemon pudding. Repeat the layers until the cups are full, then cover and chill for 4 to 6 hours. When ready to serve, top with whipped cream, crushed lemon wafers, a slice of lemon and a lemon wafer.
Recipe Tips
- Stop whipping the cream as soon as stiff peaks form or you’ll deflate the entire thing.
- Fold the pudding into the whipped cream, don’t stir it. This keeps the airy, rich texture.
- Chill overnight for the absolute best results.
Variations
- Use your favorite flavors of wafers and pudding to make different parfaits – chocolate pudding and chocolate wafers, for example.
- You can use Nilla wafers or cookies like shortbread or sugar cookies in place of the wafers.
- You can use Cool Whip in place of homemade whipped cream if you like.
- Try using granola in place of wafers.
What to Serve with Lemon Pudding Parfaits
These parfaits are absolutely delicious on their own, but you can serve them alongside some other options for even more fun and flavor. Try:
- Mixed berries
- Melon
- Granola
- Savory breakfast options for a sweet and savory start to the day.
Recipe FAQ
What is a parfait?
The parfait we think of in the States is a layered dessert that uses layers of pudding or yogurt along with layers of some kind of cookie, cake, brownie, or granola.
What is lemon pudding made of?
Homemade lemon pudding is made of whipping cream, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. This semi-homemade version uses instant lemon pudding mix, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped cream.
Why do they call it parfait?
The parfait originated in France, and it was so popular there that it was considered perfect. Parfait is actually French for perfect.
How long will lemon pudding parfaits last in the fridge?
These will last for 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.
Can you make lemon pudding parfaits in advance?
Absolutely. These parfaits actually taste better when they’ve chilled overnight, so make them the night before serving for the best flavor and the least amount of stress.
How to Store Leftover Lemon Pudding Parfaits
Store these parfaits in their glasses covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Try This Delicious Lemon Parfait Recipe Today
This delicious individual parfait recipe is loaded with the most decadent lemon pudding you’ll ever eat, sweet lemon wafers, and good times! It’s the perfect treat for a weeknight dessert or any kind of party or get-together. And it’s super easy to make, you’ll love it as much as your guests do. Give it a try, and I know you’ll fall in love.
More Delicious Lemon Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Lemon Pretzel Dessert – A light and refreshing, sweet and salty, lemon dessert recipe that starts with a pretzel crust and a sweet cream cheese filling, and topped with lemon pie filling. Easy and delicious!
Lemon Cheesecake Bars – Buttery graham cracker crust is topped with a lemon cheesecake and lemon pie filling with dollops of homemade whipped cream and lemon wedges on top.
Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake – A rich and delicious pound cake recipe with fresh blueberries, lemon juice and lemon zest, baked to perfection.
And, here is a Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake from Great Grub, Delicious Treats that you will definitely enjoy as well.
Lemon Pudding Parfaits
Ingredients
- 14 ounce sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ½ cups ice cold water
- 3.4 ounce package Jello® instant lemon pudding mix
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
- 11 ounce box lemon wafers
- Optional: whipped cream
Instructions
- In a medium bowl beat condensed milk and water on medium speed until combined.
- Add the instant pudding mix and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until firm, 2 hours or overnight.
- Once the pudding is firm, in a medium bowl, beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Add the pudding a little at a time and gently mix until blended.
- Add a few lemon wafers into the parfait glasses followed by a layer of lemon pudding.
- Repeat the layers and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for 4-6 hours.
- When ready to serve, top with whipped cream, crushed lemon wafers, a lemon slice and a lemon wafer.
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