Parfait

This article is about the frozen dessert. For the type of pâté known as a parfait, see Pâté. For other uses, see Parfait (disambiguation).
Parfait
Layered Japanese parfait models in Osaka, Japan
CourseDessert
Place of originFrance
Serving temperatureFrozen
Main ingredientsSugar, syrup, eggs, cream
French parfait
Layered American parfait in Tokyo, Japan
Jelly of quail, langoustine cream and parfait of foie gras at The Fat Duck

Parfait (/pɑːrˈfeɪ/ par-FAY,[1][2] UK also /ˈpɑːrfeɪ/ PAR-fay,[3] French: [paʁfɛ] ⓘ; meaning "perfect") is either of two types of dessert. In France, where the dish originated, parfait is made by boiling cream, egg, sugar and syrup to create a custard-like or meringue-like puree which is then frozen. The American version consists of layers differentiated by the inclusion of such ingredients as granola, nuts, yogurt and liqueurs, topped off with fruits or whipped cream.[4][5]

French parfait is usually served in thick, decorated slices on a plate.[6] American parfait is typically served in tall glassware together with a long spoon known as a parfait spoon. The classical parfait glass is stemware, with a short stem and a tall slender bowl, often tapered towards the bottom, also used for serving milkshakes. In South Asia (particularly Bangladesh), parfaits are made in bowl containers, rather than tall glasses.

  1. ^ "PARFAIT". Cambridge English Dictionary. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  2. ^ "Parfait". Collins English Dictionary. HarperCollins. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  3. ^ "parfait". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 2020-11-16.
  4. ^ "Parfait". iFood.tv.
  5. ^ "Parfait definition". Oxford Dictionaries. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on January 5, 2017.
  6. ^ "Nigel Slater's parfait and Christmas fruit cookies recipes". The Guardian. 22 December 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2023.