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Glass parfait with layered chocolate chia pudding, cherry compote, and yogurt, topped with chocolate shavings on a linen napkin

Black Forest Chia Parfait: Low-Sugar and Chocolatey

Layers of chocolate chia pudding, cherry compote, and plain Greek yogurt come together for a Black Forest flavored parfait with only a few tablespoons of added sugar total.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 23 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: European-inspired
Calories: 917
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Chia Pudding
  • 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (480 ml)
  • 6 tbsp chia seeds (90 g)
  • 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (15 g)
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch fine sea salt
Cherry Compote
  • 2 cups frozen pitted dark sweet cherries (300 g); no need to thaw
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
Assembly
  • 1 1/2 cups plain low-fat Greek yogurt (360 g); unsweetened
  • 1 oz dark chocolate (85%) (30 g); shaved
  • 4 fresh cherries for garnish

Method
 

Make the Chocolate Chia Pudding
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond milk, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until the cocoa fully dissolves and no lumps remain.
  2. Stir in the chia seeds. Whisk again after 10 minutes to break up any clumps before the mixture starts to thicken.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until thick and pudding-like with no liquid pooling on top.
Make the Cherry Compote
  1. Combine the frozen cherries, water, maple syrup, and lemon juice in a 1.5-quart / 1.4 L saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, mashing some cherries with the back of a spoon, until the mixture turns glossy and saucy. Cool to room temperature.
Assemble the Parfaits
  1. Spoon a layer of chocolate chia pudding into the bottom of 4 parfait glasses, about 1/4 cup per glass.
  2. Add a layer of cherry compote, then a layer of Greek yogurt. Repeat the layers once more, ending with yogurt on top.
  3. Top each parfait with shaved dark chocolate and a fresh cherry. Serve right away or refrigerate covered until ready to eat.

Notes

  • Chill the chia pudding at least 4 hours before assembling
  • Cool the cherry compote to room temperature before layering
  • Use plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt to keep sugar low
  • Add chocolate shavings right before serving, not ahead