Hi folks! Sorry I missed my regular end-of-the-week post on Friday/Saturday. My dissertation was causing me grief, and then some other stuff came up so blogging simply had to wait. BUT, I’ve handed in my dissertation (first draft only…) today, so we’re celebrating!
Blueberries aren’t my favourite berry. That prize goes to strawberries, British of course, which I’ll quite happily eat with no adornment. Blueberries definitely have their place but I like them IN things. Muffins, smoothies, waffles, compote…these Blueberry Coconut Cream Parfaits! I’ve just realized that this is another very appropriate recipe for the blog- coconut and berries again!
For creamy vegan pudding and mousses, cashews are probably the most widely-used ingredient these days, but back when I was a newbie vegan, it was all about the silken tofu. Who remembers tofu chocolate mousse?! That was one of my favourites…
I revisited the magic of tofu in desserts with my delightful Little Lemon Pots and am doing so again with today’s recipe. If you’ve never used tofu in a dessert, there’s nothing to be afraid of. When blended up with a few other ingredients it makes a silky smooth pudding that you’ll love.
There’s a lot of scare-mongering out there about soy, but unless you’re allergic, I’m of the opinion that it’s totally fine to eat soy foods from time to time, especially in their more traditional forms (tempeh, edamame, natto, miso and tofu). Just make sure you buy non-GMO and organic. (UK friends, I use Clearspring Organic tofu).
The coconut in this recipe comes from another of my favourite ingredients-coconut butter
. It adds a little extra richness and stability to both the coconut and blueberry layers as well as a hint of coconutty flavour. I like a little textural contrast so I topped the creamy stuff with some crunchy clusters of toasted nuts, oats and coconut.
I hope you enjoy these as much as me. And if you do make them, please share your pictures with me on Facebook or Instagram (using the hashtag #coconutandberries so I don’t miss them). I love seeing your recreations!
Ingredients
- 3oz/85g/1/4 pkg Silken tofu
- 2 Tbsp Melted coconut butter
- 1 Tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp Coconut OR Agave nectar
- 1 C Fresh blueberries
- 3oz/85g/1/4 pkg Silken tofu
- 1-1/2 Tbsp Lemon juice
- 1-1/2 Tbsp Coconut or Agave nectar
- 1 Tbsp Melted Coconut butter
- 2 Tbsp Chopped walnuts
- 2 Tbsp Chopped pecans
- 2 Tbsp Oats (GF if necessary)
- 2 Tbsp Shredded coconut
- 1/2 Tbsp Melted coconut oil
- 1/2 Tbsp Coconut OR Agave nectar
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients for the coconut layer together until smooth. Remove to a bowl, cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours to thicken.
- Blend all ingredients for the blueberry layer together until smooth. Remove to a bowl, cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours to thicken.
- I prefer to toast the ingredients for the topping for extra flavour, but you can skip this step if you're short on time. Place the nuts, oats and coconut in a small pan over medium heat and toast for approx. 5 minutes, or until everything starts smelling really good! Remove to a bowl, stir through the melted coconut oil and coconut nectar then place in the freezer for approx. 15 minutes to harden.
- When ready to serve, divide the blueberry pudding between 2-3 glasses, top with the coconut cream (reserve a tiny bit for the very top if desired), then break up the nutty mixture into clusters and divide them between the glasses too. Finally top with a few fresh blueberries and serve.
Notes
*These keep fine for 24 hours in the fridge but are best served immediately after making.
*A magic bullet type blender works well for these small amounts. I use a Tribest Personal Blender
I might have got a little snap happy, but just look at that gorgeous colour!
If you’re new to Coconut and Berries, please sign up for email updates and join me elsewhere! I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram (@coconutandberries), Google +and Twitter! You can also follow Coconut and Berries with Bloglovin or Feedly.
[I’m sharing this recipe at the weekly Virtual Vegan Linky Potluck]
Congratulations on your dissertation, Emma!
These parfaits look divine!
Thanks Natalia! I don’t know if it’s any good but at least I’ve got something down on paper.
Blueberries are not my favourite either, but I think I will definitely be giving this a try. I love the footnote about them being best eaten immediately - all puds should be eaten immediately in my humble opinion, but that might just be because I am impatient and greedy!! Thank you for the recipe.
haha, well I was just feeding myself so eating 3 in one go might have been a tad excessive. Not that eating 2 in one go didn’t cross my mind 😉
What a pretty colour! I haven’t used silken tofu in sweets very much, not since first going vegan all that time ago and having a bit of a disaster with ‘chocolate mousse’. This looks lovely though, I might have to give it another shot!
You had a tofu chocolate mousse disaster?! Oh no! I always used the recipe from “The Joy of Vegan Baking” which used melted chocolate and was amazing <3
Congrats Emma on getting your dissertation in! I am sure it will be all fine! Love this recipe, because it uses silken tofu. I recently discovered silken tofu for desserts and really love it! The coconut layer sounds really great too! Thanks for sharing! 😉 hugs, Sylvia
I’m glad you’re not anti tofu in desserts! Tofu is so underappreciated
I especially love the coconut layer and make it to serve with fresh berries too. Delish!
they are gorgeous and I aim interested to see you using coconut butter here - I have coconut butter and am never sure how to use it - do you just use it instead of coconut oil? I don’t tend to eat blueberries fresh so much but I love them in baking and desserts
Thank you Johanna. I really enjoyed them.
I use coconut oil too but for different things, as, I’m sure you’re aware that coconut butter is the whole coconut meat, blended into a thick butter, whereas coconut oil is just the fat separated from the meat. So, coconut butter has a delicious sweet taste all on its own but the oil just tastes like, well, oil…That means it adds flavour, sweetness and body to recipes whereas the oil just serves as a thickener as it solidifies when cold.
I love melted coconut butter straight from the spoon, drizzled on pancakes, to make raw cheesecakes and fudge, etc.
Yum! I really like silken tofu based desserts, although it has been ages since I’ve had one. I find the texture is different to raw cashew-based products, being a little lighter and fluffier. These look absolutely beautiful, and the addition of coconut flavours is a wonderful idea. Fitting coming from you, of course 😉
Of course! 😉
Definitely different to cashew-based desserts- they both have their merits.
How did I miss this post?! I can totally understand taking lots and lots of photos - the color is amazing. Thanks for sharing at the weekly Potluck, Emma!
Thanks Annie, and for hosting the Potluck of course too!
Look YUM
Blueberries are probably my favourite berry and the only one that I’d eat straight out of the tub. But blueberries with some sweet coconut whipped cream or vanilla yogurt = heaven!
This one’s definitely for you if you’re a blueberry lover! I sometimes make the coconut layer in this parfait just to serve with fresh berries. I’m preferring it to coconut whip right now.
this looks SO good.. craving one of these parfaits right about now! i definitely will be recreating this recipe. thanks for sharing!
Thank you and do let me know how yours turn out!
Absolutely stunning, the colours look beautiful together and as you said the perfect ‘Coconut and Berries’ post.
Well done on that first draft of your dissertation. Good luck with it
Hehe, Coconut and berries never let me down! Thank you
Congrats on your dissertation Emma!! And as I commented on Instagram, the color is beautiful! I LOVE that you added coconut butter…you know I’m a fan!! I bet the flavor was incredible
Thank you Brandi. It’s lifted a bit of the weight off my shoulders, for now at least. I just want to get the final version finished and be done with it though!
You and me are definitely the coconut butter ladies 😀
Gorgeous!