Recipe: Fruit, yogurt and granola parfait

Today I was inspired to make a McDonald's copy-cat Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait. Though better than most fast-food choices, McDonald's yogurt, granola and fruit are too sweet for my palate, so my version is far less sugary than you'll find under the golden arches. If you want more of a McDonald's version, choose Dannon or Yoplait vanilla yogurt instead of strained, plain yogurt; you also could add corn syrup to fresh fruit (or buy sweetened, frozen fruit and thaw) and select a sweet granola.

Yield: 2 large parfaits (the glasses I used measured 5 1/2-inches tall with a slender, tapered circumference; you will yield more parfaits if you use smaller glasses)
Time: 15 minutes
Cost: apx. $8.50

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups Fage Greek Strained yogurt, 2 percent or fat-free (3 7-ounce containers)
• 1-2 tablespoons agave or honey
• 1-1/2 cups sliced strawberries
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup granola (I prefer only slightly sweetened brands of granola)

Directions

Combine yogurt and 1 tablespoon agave or honey, adding additional to taste. Pour 1/2 cup of yogurt into a parfait cup or tall glass. Layer 1/2 cup of strawberries into the glass on top of the yogurt, pushing slightly into yogurt. Top with 1/4 cup blueberries.

Layer 3 additional tablespoons of yogurt over the fruit. Sprinkle 1/4 cup granola over the top and serve. Repeat for remaining parfait. Serve.

This recipe was written by Peggy Lampman and originally posted on AnnArbor.com on May 16, 2010.