Festive Raw Cranberry Yogurt Parfait: Vegan, Keto-Friendly, Low Glycemic Holiday Dessert

As the holiday season rolls in, so do the flavors of fresh, vibrant cranberries—perfect for adding a festive touch to any breakfast or dessert. This raw vegan parfait brings together the best of winter flavors without the need for cooking, keeping it raw, vegan, keto-friendly, and low glycemic. 

One chilly afternoon, I decided to try something different. Instead of the usual cranberry sauce or baked goods, I created a cranberry mixture that was so vibrant and made the perfect contrast to layers of cool, creamy yogurt, making every spoonful a burst of holiday flavor and color. 

This festive, no-bake dessert has quickly become a new favorite in our kitchen—a beautiful plant-based gluten free parfait that’s light and nourishing without any added sugar. Perfect for a quick keto-friendly treat, this parfait will bring festive flavor to any table while keeping you feeling balanced and energized all season long. 

What is a Cranberry-Yogurt Parfait Made Of?  

This Raw Cranberry-Yogurt Parfait combines just a handful of whole-food, naturally gluten free ingredients for a nutrient-dense, festive breakfast, dessert, or side.

Fresh, whole cranberries bring a bold, tart flavor and vibrant color, while a hint of orange essential oil adds that cozy holiday warmth. 

Adding pure monk fruit extract naturally sweetens this parfait making it perfect for anyone looking for a low-glycemic, vegan, keto-friendly dish. 

It is layered with creamy vanilla dairy free yogurt, like Cocoyo or your choice of coconut or cashew yogurt. You can even make your own coconut yogurt or use any vegan yogurt. This parfait is indulgent and health-focused. It has a blend of textures and flavors that feel both festive and luxurious.

How Do You Make a Raw Cranberry-Yogurt Parfait?

This is a simple recipe! It's easy and fun to make this cranberry parfait. Begin by pulsing fresh, raw cranberries in a food processor until they're smooth yet still have a little chunky consistency. Add in a few drops of orange essential oil and monk fruit extract to give it a gentle sweetness and a zesty, citrusy lift. 

Next, take a clear glass or bowl and start layering—begin with a scoop of dairy free yogurt and alternate with the cranberry blend. Imagine each layer bringing a pop of color and refreshing taste, building up to a beautifully festive dessert that’s almost too pretty to eat. Finish with a swirl of the yogurt layer on top for an elegant touch. Add a touch of fresh berries for a pop of color.

You can enjoy this for breakfast or dessert! How about trying it with this Cordyceps Chocolate Latte.

How Do You Customize This Recipe?  

This recipe is versatile! 

Try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon for a cozy hint of spice, or add pomegranate seeds to the cranberries for a juicy, festive pop. Give a touch of richness with a little vanilla extract. You could even layer in chopped nuts or shredded coconut to add a little crunch.

You can even top it off with some coconut cream. Top it off with a little fresh fruit.

Add a dose of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids by stirring some chia seeds into the blended cranberries.

With its adaptable layers, this parfait can easily be made your own.

How Do These Ingredients Help with Blood Sugar Balancing, Heart Health, and Hormone Balance?  

This Cranberry-Yogurt Parfait is filled with ingredients chosen for flavor and color but also for their unique health benefits. It is beneficial in blood sugar management, heart health, and hormone balance.

Cranberries

Cranberries are one of nature’s superfoods. They’re loaded with vitamin C and polyphenols. These powerful antioxidants reduce oxidative stress and calm inflammation and are essential for heart health and overall cellular resilience. Their beautiful red hue comes from anthocyanins which help defend against cellular damage. 

Cranberries also boast high levels of flavonols, including quercetin, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and immune-supportive properties. Research shows cranberries can help protect against UTIs, support heart health, and even reduce cancer risk, thanks to their natural abilities to deter harmful bacterial adhesion, improve antioxidant status, and enhance glucose metabolism.

Orange Essential Oil

Orange essential oil is packed with vitamin C which is excellent for adrenal support and immune health. The oil contains d-limonene, a compound shown to help stabilize blood sugar by boosting insulin sensitivity. 

Orange essential oil also has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties due to its terpenes, flavonoids, and coumarins. These compounds help preserve the parfait naturally while lending it a subtle health-promoting edge.

Monk Fruit Extract

Monk fruit extract brings natural sweetness without the blood sugar spikes associated with other sweeteners. It’s derived from a fruit that is rich in antioxidants which help shield cells from oxidative stress, ultimately supporting hormone balance and cellular health. Monk fruit’s low-glycemic nature makes it a good choice for keeping blood sugar levels steady.

Vanilla Cocoyo (Coconut Yogurt)

Vanilla Cocoyo (Coconut Yogurt) made from coconut, delivers medium-chain triglycerides which are a type of healthy fat that provides steady energy and supports metabolism. When fermented, coconut yogurt becomes a source of probiotics, providing beneficial bacteria that nourish the gut microbiome. These good bacteria aid in digestion, immune defense, and hormone health. Fermented foods like this yogurt support a balanced, thriving microbiome.

Altogether, each ingredient in this parfait works synergistically to create a dessert that’s not only visually stunning but also rich in nutrients to support blood sugar stability, heart health, and overall wellness.

Where Can You Find This and Other Nutritious and Delicious Recipes Like It?  

This recipe is adapted from the Healing Kitchen: Recipe for a Gluten-Free Holiday in our Body Freedom Nutrition Lab found in our exclusive Empowered Self Care Community. 

You can find vegan desserts recipes for the holidays in Healthy Holiday Traditions: Nourishing Recipes for Christmas, Hanukkah, & New Year's Celebration by Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo. This ebook is packed with nutrient-dense, festive dishes that are perfect for supporting your health goals during the holidays. If you're looking for creative, whole food, plant-based meals that help balance blood sugar, hormones, and promote a healthy microbiome, this is a must-have resource. You can purchase it online and start exploring a variety of recipes that are both satisfying and healing.