We’ve been in a breakfast rut lately interchanging whole-grain waffles with oatmeal, always paired with green smoothies.
It’s morning. Simple routines needed.
When I do break out of the waffle/oatmeal breakfast rotation, the girls are stoked!
Most stoked when it’s pancakes… but, also pretty happy to see a beautiful vegan yogurt breakfast parfait like this…
These vegan yogurt parfaits are an especially easy and fast breakfast treat.
They look so elegant but really quite simple to make!
You can prepare the vegan yogurt the day before, and then layer your favorite fruits into parfaits the next morning.
Put them in special cups or parfait glasses and the kiddos think it’s very fancy.
My wee girl said “this is the best day ever“! 😊
The parfaits start with Vanilla Cashew Yogurt. When I wrote LTEV I used storebought vegan yogurts in several of the recipes – the Creamed Cheese Brownies, the Gluten-Free Chocolate Yogurt Cake, and the Banana Butter Pie (I have GOT to get that recipe and photos up for you)!
I went a little overboard offering allergy-friendly and storebought substitutions with LTEV, so I decided to include a homemade vegan yogurt recipe.
This Vanilla Yogurt is not exactly like storebought brands. It’s not cultured with probiotics.
What it does offer is the characteristic tang and texture of a plain or vanilla non-dairy yogurt.
While it doesn’t include the probiotics, you can easily add your own probiotics when eating. (I add probiotics to store-bought vegan yogurts all the time!). Just open a capsule of whatever probiotic you are using, and stir it into the yogurt.
Enjoy this vegan yogurt straight up or as a topping for granola, baked goods, or to layer in breakfast parfaits. Here, they are layered with fresh kiwi, nectarines, and blueberries.
Many other fruits could be used, and in the fall an apple/pear/orange combination would be tremendous! You could also layer in for an even heartier breakfast (or snack).
The recipe follows. If you’ve already tried it, please share you how you’ve enjoyed it.
x Dreena
Vanilla Cashew Vegan Yogurt
Ingredients
- 1 cup presoaked raw cashews
- 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce preferably organic
- 1 1/2 - 2 tbsp lemon juice see note
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/3 cup non-dairy milk or more to thin if desired; but keep to 1/3 cup for use in recipes
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract OR 1/4 - 1 /2 tsp vanilla bean powder
- pinch salt
Instructions
- In a high-powered blender, puree all ingredients until very smooth. If using a standard blender, this may take a few minutes, and scraping down the sides a few times throughout. Serve, or store in an airtight container. Makes about 1 1/4 cups.
Notes
- I created this vegan yogurt primarily as a substitute for premade yogurts in my recipes (ex: BF Blueberry Muffins, Fresh Orange Cake). As such, it isn’t overly sweet. Feel free to make it a little more fun for your little ones, by stirring in extra maple syrup, or try a few spoonfuls of a berry, peach, or other fruit jam. Also note that this vegan yogurt is nutritious for little ones that might not otherwise eat nuts or nut butters because of textural issues - nuts being too hard, and nut butters too sticky. This recipe brings cashews into a pudding-like form that can you can customize with extra flavor and sweetness!
- Use 1 1/2 tbsp of lemon juice for use in recipes, and if you’d like it tangier for eating straight, add the extra lemon juice to taste.
- Probiotics Note: Feel free to add probiotics (by breaking open a capsule), and stir into this yogurt.
Holly says
Look yummy, thanks for all the effort behind this! Is there a way to make it really fermented and/or full of good bacteria, like real yogurt? I used to make yogurt all the time, but haven’t had any since we’ve gone dairy free.
Dreena says
I haven’t experimented with fermenting in terms of traditional yogurt, but you can add the probiotic powder (as mentioned in the note) – that help?
AnnMarie says
I hope it’s ok for me to jump in here, Dreena… Yes, it’s possible and easy. Dreena just inspired me to make some – it’s been way too long. I’ll soak the cashews, then drain, blend with fresh water, 1 tsp maple and 1/4 tsp probiotic powder. Then I’ll transfer it to a bowl, cover with a towel and let sit overnight. At this time of year, it will most likely be ready by morning, when I’ll put together the rest of Dreena’s amazing recipe. You might also try making the entire yogurt recipe and then adding the probiotic like Dreena suggests and letting it sit covered overnight. It really just needs a little bit of time at a warmish temperature to get the cultures growing.
I can’t wait for breakfast tomorrow ~ thanks, Dreena!
Zach says
Great idea for yogurt, and a heck of a lot cheaper than the yogurts I buy at the store that are vegan!
I think that this could be a great base for so many different recipes, you’ve got my mind spinning with possibilities! Can’t wait to try some out!
Thanks for sharing!
Zach
Gabriela says
Dreena I haven’t tried freezing soaked cashews before. It’s brilliant! I’m always bumped when a recipe calls for soaking cashews and I don’t have enough time to let them sit. How long do you thaw them for before using? And do you rinse, then store them in the freezer?
I want to try this recipe this week 🙂
Dreena says
I just soak, then rinse and let drain well. Then, pop into containers – in fridge for about 4 days (otherwise I freeze if I know I’m not using within about 4 days). Thawing time, maybe an hour or two, I sometimes chuck them into my Blendtec partially frozen – the high-speed blenders can take it. But, I’d say an hour or so. Hope that helps.
Ashlee says
I just started making this for my kids two days ago!I have been astounded as to how wonderful it tastes and how easy it is! My kids gobble it up and I am so excited that we have a homemade yogurt recipe that actually works for our family. thank you so much for developing this! This idea of serving as a parfait is really good and I will have to try it sometime in the future. Perhaps also with your homemade granola.
Dreena says
Wonderful to hear, so glad your kiddos enjoy it! 🙂 Also amazing with the granola added in, makes it a little heartier. Thanks Ashlee!
Ashlee says
I just had a thought. Wouldn’t this taste absolutely marvelous layered on to a fruit pizza?
Dreena says
yes, yes!!!
Lisa says
How long do you soak the cashews?
Dreena says
Hi Lisa, about 3-4 hours, and you can soak in batches and then refrigerate/freeze extra. I neglected to add that b/c the notes are detailed in the supplementary info in my book. Have fun!