This is the dessert that my children used to make by themselves when they were young. While we were living in Japan for a short period of time, my children fell in love with Japanese style parfait, made by layering jelly, whipped cream, ice cream, and fruit, usually served in a tall glass. After we moved back to Melbourne, Australia, they started making their own parfait, which could be a treat for their friends who came to visit. Grown-ups can help children to prepare ingredients, and let them construct their own parfait as they are very creative.

Makes

4 Servings

Ingredients

1 box Instant Jelly Granules *Today I used Strawberry flavoured jelly.
Fresh OR Canned Fruit
1/2 cup Thickened Cream *whipped with 1 tablespoon Caster Sugar
A few slices Sponge Cake *OR some Cookies, ‘Savoiardi’, etc.
Ice Cream
Extra Topping *e.g. ‘Pocky’ Sticks, Wafer Sticks, Nuts, etc.

Soft Custard
1 cup Milk
2 Egg Yolks
2 to 3 tablespoons Sugar
1 tablespoon Plain Flour
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Method
  1. Make jelly according to the instruction. Place into serving glasses, add some fruit, and allow to set in the fridge. *Note: You may not need all jelly depending on the size of the glasses.
  2. To make Soft Custard, place all ingredients in a heat-proof bowl and whisk well. Cook in the microwave at medium power about 500W for 2 minutes. Mix well, then cook again at medium power for 2 minutes and mix well, and cook again for 1 minute and mix well.
  3. *Note: Naturally you can cook custard in a saucepan. Combine Egg Yolks, Sugar and Flour in a saucepan. Then add warmed Milk and mix well. Cook over a medium to low heat, stirring constantly until custard comes to the boil and thickens.
  4. Allow the soft custard to cool, then chill in the fridge.
  5. When the jelly is set, and soft custard is chilled, construct your own parfait.
  6. *Note: Today I layered custard and sponge cake pieces on top of jelly, covered with whipped cream, topped with vanilla ice cream and fruit, then I added children’s favourite ‘Pocky’ sticks.