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Summer Dessert Parfaits

Summer dessert parfaits with billowy whipped cream, bright strawberries, and a tangy lemon curd layer over golden shortbread. No-bake layering makes a pale-pink, bright-red, sunny-looking finish in minutes.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Chill 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Strawberry layer
  • 2 cup fresh strawberries Slice before layering for bright red pieces.
Whipped cream
  • 1.5 cup heavy whipping cream Chill helps the cream reach stiff peaks faster.
  • 0.25 cup powdered sugar :
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract Add with the sugar for smooth flavor.
Shortbread base
  • 12 golden shortbread cookies Layer whole or lightly broken for even coverage.
Lemon curd layer
  • 1 cup lemon curd Use store-bought to keep it quick; stir before assembling.
Garnish
  • 1 fresh mint Add a small sprig on top.
  • 1 edible flowers Use just before serving to stay fresh.

Equipment

  • 1 stand mixer

Method
 

Whip the cream
  1. Whip heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, about 3 to 5 minutes with a stand mixer on medium-high, and stop when the texture holds ridged swirls.
Assemble the parfaits
  1. Layer golden shortbread cookies, whipped cream, and lemon curd in dessert glasses, repeating the pattern until filled and creating distinct colorful bands.
  2. Top each parfait with fresh strawberry slices and place a fresh mint sprig on the surface for a bright green accent.
  3. Garnish with an edible flower for a final visual pop right before chilling.
Chill before serving
  1. Refrigerate the assembled parfaits for 30 minutes before serving so the layers set and the cookies soften slightly while staying pleasantly crisp.

Notes

Pro tip: prep all components (sliced strawberries, lemon curd, cookie portioning) so assembly is quick and the whipped cream stays airy. Refrigerate covered up to 24 hours; the shortbread will soften over time. Freezing is not recommended because whipped cream texture can change. If you want a lighter option, use store-bought whipped topping or a stabilized dairy-free whipped cream substitute for a different texture while keeping the same layering.