Sitaphal Yogurt Parfait
Creamy and luscious, this no-cook dessert layers thick, hung yogurt with fresh sitaphal pulp. The custard apple's natural sweetness shines through, interrupted by crunchy granola and a drizzle of honey. A light, elegant Indian-inspired parfait ready in just 15 minutes.
For 4 servings
- prep
Thicken the yogurt.
If not using Greek yogurt, place fresh yogurt in a muslin cloth and hang over a bowl for 2-3 hours until thick and creamy. Discard the whey.
TIPHang it in the fridge to prevent souring in warm weather. - prep
Scoop and deseed the custard apples.
1.Cut each custard apple in half.2.Scoop out the creamy pulp with a spoon.3.Carefully remove all black seeds and discard them.TIPWork gently — the pulp is soft and delicate. - mix
Flavor the yogurt base.
In a mixing bowl, whisk the hung yogurt with honey and cardamom powder until smooth and well blended. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- assemble
Layer the parfait.
1.Spoon 2 tbsp granola into the bottom of each serving glass.2.Add a generous layer of sweetened yogurt (2-3 tbsp).3.Spoon 2 tbsp custard apple pulp over the yogurt.4.Repeat the layers one more time: granola, yogurt, and pulp.TIPDon't press down — let the layers stay distinct for a beautiful look. - garnish
Garnish and serve immediately.
Top each parfait with slivered almonds and a light drizzle of honey. Serve right away so the granola stays crunchy.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1To hang yogurt quickly without a muslin cloth, use a fine-mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter over a bowl.
- 2Ripe custard apples yield easily to gentle pressure — avoid any that are rock-hard or have split skin.
- 3For a more pronounced cardamom flavor, lightly crush whole green cardamom pods and sift the powder.
- 4If your custard apple pulp is very seedy, pass it through a coarse sieve after removing the large seeds.
- 5Assemble the parfait just before serving to prevent the granola from turning soggy.
- 6Leftover custard apple pulp can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegan
Replace the hung yogurt with a thick plant-based yogurt (coconut or cashew) and use maple syrup instead of honey. The coconut version adds a lovely tropical edge.
sugar freeSugar-free
Skip the honey entirely and rely on the natural sweetness of very ripe custard apples. Add a pinch of stevia or monk fruit powder to the yogurt if you prefer extra sweetness without sugar.
nut freeNut-free
Swap the almonds for toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for crunch, and use a nut-free granola. The texture stays satisfying without any risk of nut allergens.
spiced upSpiced-up
Add a pinch of black pepper and a tiny pinch of saffron threads (crushed) to the yogurt base. This warms the flavor profile and pairs beautifully with custard apple’s floral notes.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Probiotics
The hung yogurt is packed with live cultures that support gut health and digestion, especially when served fresh.
High in Vitamin C
Custard apple provides a good amount of natural vitamin C, which helps boost immunity and aids iron absorption.
Good Source of Healthy Fats
Almonds contribute unsaturated fats that support heart health and provide a satisfying crunch.
Natural Energy Boost
The combination of natural sugars from custard apple and honey offers quick, clean energy for a mid-day treat.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, full-fat Greek yogurt works perfectly — just whisk it lightly with honey and cardamom. It is already thick and creamy, so no need to hang it.
