Summer Berry Vanilla Bean Parfaits with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream

Perfectly easy to make Summer Berry Parfaits that use Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup to flavour the berries. The Vanilla Bean Berries are then poured over top light and fluffy sponge cake and topped with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream. This dessert is incredibly easy to make and bursting with summer flavours with a hint of vanilla for that extra wow factor. Make this for your family today. 

I am so in love with vanilla bean whipped cream right now. I can't help myself. I'm putting it on everything. I think the family is starting to get worried. I tried to top pork chops with it the other day. I got a time out for that one.

Once you taste it you will know why I'm so obsessed with it right now. I feel like I've discovered the holy grail of whipped cream. I keep picturing myself dressed up like Indiana Jones, fighting to keep people from stealing my treasure. Then I remember I'm a food blogger and we love to share.

Never one to give up on my dreams my daydreaming then turns to me getting on The Chew to tell Mario all about how awesome vanilla bean whipped cream is. He'll fall instantly in love with my whipped cream, and me, then we'll run away together in khaki shorts and orange crocs. Then I remember we're both married and I dislike crocs so another dream fades to dust.

That's where the day dream about being on Ellen comes into play. She will invite me to be on her show and we'll marvel at how awesome my vanilla bean whipped cream is. It won't even matter that I got there because the whipped cream totally looks like a garden gnome. 

Um, what? How the heck did that happen. Can you see it? Ya, this is why you tether your camera to your laptop when shooting food photos. See...

Garden gnome! Dang it. How do you submit that to foodgawker? Um, Mrs Foodgawker, I can explain. I made them in my garden...

Ya, not so much.

They are extremely packed with vanilla goodness though, so hopefully you'll forgive my gnomish ways. It happens to all of us eventually. Or just me. Whatevs!

The vanilla whipped cream I've made before. I got a little creative for a recipe contest on Anyday Magic. I wanted something a little different for my whipped cream. Since I'm obsessed with vanilla it was an easy leap to add it.

The summer berries were inspired by an episode of The Pioneer Woman. We finally have her show airing locally so I've watched a few episodes. She made a Vanilla Syrup to pour over a fruit salad on one episode. Since I'm a huge fan of vanilla bean simple syrup I knew that was the way to go for this one. I wanted a  fresh, but very flavourful dessert so her Pretty, Yummy Fruit Salad was a great source of inspiration for this recipe. She is amazing and I just love her show. I feel like we could be besties. So Ree if you're reading this, and I mean why wouldn't you be, call me. I'd love to do lunch with you one day and go riding. I can even help work the cattle being a country-ish girl myself. I have my own horse, I can trailer her over there and spend a week, or move right in. Whatever you prefer. Just call me. I'll be waiting by the phone for your call.

Now while I await my new bestie's phone call I thought I'd share the recipe for this gnomish treat with you. You will love it. And if you make it I think you should totally put googly eyes on yours. Then send me the pictures so I can share them with my readers. I dare you. In fact, I double dog dare.

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Summer Berry Vanilla Bean Parfaits with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream

Perfectly easy to make Summer Berry Parfaits that use Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup to flavour the berries. The Vanilla Bean Berries are then poured over top light and fluffy sponge cake and topped with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream. This dessert is incredibly easy to make and bursting with summer flavours with a hint of vanilla for that extra wow factor. Make this for your family today.

Servings 4 Mini Trifles

Ingredients

• 1 package of store bought sponge cake seriously people it's too hot to turn on the oven!

For the Vanilla Simple Syrup (make ahead of time so it has time to cool!):

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 vanilla beans

For the Berry Mix:

• 2 cups strawberries washed, hulled and sliced
• 2 cups blueberries washed
• 1 cup blackberries washed
• 1 cup grapes washed and sliced
• ½ to 1 cup vanilla bean simple syrup depending on your taste

For the Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 to 2 vanilla beans depending how weak or strong you want yours

Instructions

For the Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup:

• In a medium saucepan combine the sugar and water. Take your vanilla beans and cut down the center of the length of them, take your fingers to help open it up a bit. Now scrape the knife down the middle and gather all the seeds. Pop those in your saucepan, then toss the whole beans in there too. Over medium heat cook until the sugar dissolves. Once it's boiling and the sugar has dissolved, reduce the heat to simmer and allow it stay there for about 15 or so minutes. Then let it cool. I let mine cool for about 10 or 15 minutes in the pan, then transferred it to a mason jar and popped it in the fridge overnight. You want it cold for the fruit so this step has to be done in advance. I usually try to keep one or two kinds of simple syrup on hand in my fridge all the time.

For the Berry Mix:

• Prep all your berries and grapes so they are clean and ready to go. Toss them all into a big bowl. Pour the cold simple syrup over top of them. Toss with a spoon until berries are evenly coated. Place the bowl in the fridge for about an hour or so to let the flavours marry. It helps if you give it a stir part way through the hour.

For the Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream:

• If you can get your bowl, and whisk cold prior this really helps. I tend to pop mine in the freezer for about 30 minutes before I whip things like this. Or you can place them in your fridge as well for an hour or so.
• Pour the heavy cream and sugar into the mixing bowl. Start your mixer on low speed until the cream starts to thicken just a bit. Then turn up to high and mix until it becomes fluffy. As it's mixing take your vanilla beans and slice them open down the middle. Scrape out the seeds and pop those in the whipping cream. I used the seeds from 2 but you could just use one. If you like making simple syrup or vanilla sugars keep those pods and pop them into whatever you like. Never waste a good vanilla bean people!
• Once the whipping cream is nice and fluffy you're good to go. You can assemble the parfaits.

Putting it all together:

• Grab 4 mini trifle glasses or whatever kind of glass you want to serve these in.
• I had 6 mini sponge cakes which I divided amongst the glasses. You can use a little less or more depending on your taste.
• Now spoon the fruit over top of each glass. Make sure to pour some of the liquid over the sponge cake if serving immediately. If not serving right away the sponge cake will get soggy if you pour extra liquid over top.
• Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag and pipe a garden gnome onto each parfait.
• Top with extra fruit if desired.
• Serve with a big old garden gnome smile!

Notes

The berry recipe was inspired by The Pioneer Woman's Pretty, Yummy Fruit Salad

Aren't you glad I double dog dared you right now. These parfaits are amazing, and you're going to be making them all the time. Trust me I'm completely obsessed with them! I even made a different version of these for a contest for Anyday Magic. Check out my Roasted Strawberry Parfaits with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream. They are incredible. There is just something so magical about roasted strawberries. Try it for yourself. You'll become a believer!

Tune in tomorrow for Peanut Butter Fudge that is so easy it will make you want to make fudge morning, noon and night. I cannot be responsible for what happens when you learn how. It will be accompanying a post to help raise money through Pass the Sushi to help a dog she is trying to rescue. Poor Muffin was brutally abused and Kita is trying to raise money to help with Muffin's vet expenses. If you can help by donating for the Muffins for Muffin Bake Sale please do so. You can stop by Pass the Sushi for a preview of what will be open for auction during this special event. I've donated two items so be sure to bid. Bidding is at 8 am on Wednesday July 17th. Bring your wallets people, and be ready to make a difference.

Thanks for reading and hope this inspires you to make your very own garden gnome parfaits. Maybe we'll start a new fad.

Toodles and smoochies! xx