Cookies and Cream Parfait

Are you ready to indulge in a dreamy, decadent chocolate dessert? This homemade Cookies and Cream Parfait dessert is so good you'll even second guess how it can possibly be gluten and dairy free. I mean, how could something so mouthwatering be free of anything?

Each bite combines a spoonful of sweet, thickened homemade chocolate pudding with Oreo-like cookie crumbles and a rich whipped topping.

You are in for a heavenly dessert experience with this layered parfait.

This parfait is layered with a thickened homemade chocolate pudding, crushed Oreo-like cookies, and a whipped topping. You can serve this in mini glass jar, small drinking glasses, and plastic dessert cups.

First, the base to this parfait is a homemade chocolate pudding that is unlike any other pudding recipe. It's thicker, more dense, and so, so rich. And my family could easily eat it by the spoonful. This pudding is even the base in my decadent Chocolate Cream Pie recipe here.

Next, it's ideal to use a food processor to crush the cookies quickly and evenly. But, you can also place cookies in a Ziploc bag and, using a rolling pin, smush cookies into little crumbles.

Then use a creamy whipped topping. This adds so much smooth texture and fresh taste to this parfait. It also looks gorgeous next to the chocolate pudding when served.

These Cookies and Cream Parfaits spruce up a special dinner night at home, the dessert table at a potluck meal, Mother's Day brunch, summer BBQ, or dinnertime with family and friends.

recipe notes and ingredients

• gluten + dairy free cookies and cream-- here are 3 great "Oreo-like" brands with varying ingredients and manufacturing processes. First, I use the KinniTOOS Chocolate Sandwich Creme Cookies from the Kinnikinnick brand. These are free from gluten, dairy, nuts, peanuts, and soy. They are manufactured in a 100% GF facility. They are available for purchase here. Another brand is Glutino Chocolate Vanilla Cream Cookies found here. They are manufactured in a 100% GF facility; however, they do not state they are DF. Lastly, Nabisco introduced a gluten free Oreo cookie to their line up of cookies. These can be purchased online or at Walmart and major grocery stores. They are certified gluten free; however, some with celiac disease have had reactions to this brand while others haven't. For this recipe you will crush the cookies into small pieces.
• granulated sugar
• dairy free whipped cream-- we use Silk Dairy Free Heavy Whipping Cream; it's GF, processed in a facility with tree nuts and soy.
• 6 egg yolks
• dairy free butter-- we use Earth Balance Buttery Sticks. Their red boxed butter is also soy free and vegan
• dairy free semi-sweet morsels-- two safe brand recommendations are Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks and Nestle Tollhouse Allergen Free Semi-Sweet morels.
• vanilla extract
• dairy free whipped topping-- our favorite brand is So Delicious Cocoa Whip found in the frozen section of grocery stores. For this recipe I prefer to thaw this topping a couple hours before serving. If refrigerated for too long, this product can become runny.
• optional: top with fresh raspberries, dairy free chocolate curls
• mini glass dessert jars-- I use these almost every week, and they help this recipe to stretch further with smaller servings
• mason jars-- these work well too for a decadent, larger serving as shown dessert treat

To enjoy this recipe: prepare the homemade chocolate pudding ahead of time and refrigerate for 4 hours or even overnight. It thickens as it cools so I prefer making this chocolate pudding recipe the night before and assembling the parfaits just before serving. Thaw the So Delicious CocoWhip a couple of hours before serving.

First, layer your parfaits with the thickened chocolate pudding.

Then add in crushed cookies and cream cookies, followed by a few dollops of CocoWhip. Repeat this process as desired.

Lastly, serve your Cookies and Cream Parfaits topped with a few more cookie crumbs and chocolate curls. Garnish with an Oreo-like cookie and serve.

what to do with leftovers

If you have leftovers, store them covered in the refrigerator. This parfait dessert is best the day of because the CocoWhip can become runny after refrigeration for several hours.

bonus cookie and cream recipes

• oreo donuts-- you will love this moist and delicious baked donut recipe. Included is an Oreo-like creamy frosting.
• homemade oreo milkshake-- who needs a restaurant milkshake when you can make your own safe, thick and creamy oreo milkshake at home?
• oreo ice cream cake-- a decadent layered ice cream cake with all the feels of a Dairy Queen ice cream cake, but with a safe taste for everyone
• oreo dipped Valentines-- we love enjoying this recipe year round with our gluten and dairy free Oreos.

more reader favorite recipes you'll love

• breakfast burritos-- use this recipe to food prep for busy grab-and-go mornings, when traveling, and even camping. They're stuffed with eggs, hash browns, breakfast sausage, and bell peppers. And the garnish ideas are endless.
• lemon poppy seed bread-- bake your own bakery-style bread loaves of this at home, topped with a rich lemony icing.
• taco tater tot skillet-- this recipe is a kid-approved favorite. Readers love the texture and flavor of this easy dinner dish. And if you don't have an oven-safe skillet, grab a baking dish instead.
• homemade sloppy joes-- growing up, this was one of my favorite dinners. And now my kids go crazy over this "lazy" dinner idea that's ultra comforting too.
• creamy ricotta stuffed shells-- this classic dish is super creamy with a dairy free ricotta mixture nestled inside giant tender gluten free shells in a flavorful marinara sauce.

lastly

This Cookies and Cream Parfait recipe makes such delicious individual desserts. It will satisfy everyone's chocolate cravings.

And note this is a recipe you can serve to those who are gluten and dairy free and those who aren't. So this is a dessert I serve often when friends and family are joining us for dinner.

Have you checked out more of my delicious recipes yet? Start exploring here.

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Enjoy every decadent bite of this Cookies and Cream Parfait.

Eat well and feel well,

Jill

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