KFC Chocolate Parfaits
This copycat KFC Chocolate Parfait is a rich, creamy, and layered no bake dessert made with pudding, whipped topping, and graham cracker crumbs, just like the original!
A NOSTALGIC DESSERT RECIPE
Who remembers the KFC Little Bucket Parfaits? Back in 1993 when my husband and I first started dating, and didn’t have a bunch of extra date night spending money, fast food was a popular option for us. I would order the strawberry parfait and he ordered this chocolate version. I don’t know why KFC stopped serving this layered dessert! I know we can’t be the only ones who still think of them, so I knew I needed to share a homemade version of those chocolate Little Bucket parfaits (and be sure to come back because I am also sharing the KFC Strawberry Parfaits and the KFC Lemon Creme Parfaits too!)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
You certainly can and if you weren’t aware, KFC used to make a Strawberry Parfait and Lemon Parfait as well. Don’t worry, they’ll be hitting the site shortly too!
Yes, you can. Just know homemade whipped cream usually isn’t as stable as the store bought stuff so it may deflate faster with these type of desserts. To make your own homemade whipped cream, you will need
1 cup heavy cream, 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add everything to the mixing bowl and whip on medium speed until stiff peaks form and use immediately.
I used these little plastic cups (paid affiliate link), but any plastic cup, or small serving cup will work or glass will work. You want to use an 8 or 9 ounce glass or cup.
Yes, of course. You can use your favorite chocolate pudding recipe, or make my Vanilla Pudding recipe and add some unsweetened cocoa powder until it gets to the intensity of chocolate flavor you prefer.
These could definitely be made a day in advance. I would just keep each one covered with plastic wrap and wait to add the sprinkles until just before serving (so the chocolate doesn’t bleed onto the whipped cream). When making these on the day of, they can be served immediately or chilled for up to 2 hours.
In place of the chocolate sprinkles, you could try rainbow sprinkles, chocolate shavings or crushed chocolate candies or candy bars on top.
You can keep the parfaits in the fridge for up to 3 days. Best served after it is chilled for 2 hours.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- graham cracker sheets – this will end up being about one cup of graham cracker crumbs.
- unsalted butter– salted butter can be used. There is so little salt in salted butter that it won’t make a huge difference here.
- whole milk – I really prefer whole milk to give this the richness like the original.
- instant chocolate pudding– be sure to grab the instant pudding kind, not the Cook N Serve kind. They’re usually by each other on the grocery store aisle, so be sure to check the packaging before purchasing. If you accidentally grab the wrong kind, don’t fret because you can still make this dessert. It’s just going to take a bit longer. You’ll need to make sure to actually cook it using the directions on the box and then let it set up and cool. Once you’ve done that then prepare the parfaits as written.
- whipped topping– Cool Whip or Reddi Whip. And, of course, you can use the store brand versions.
- chocolate sprinkles
HOW TO MAKE KFC CHOCOLATE PARFAITS:
In a food processor add the graham crackers. Pulse for 30 seconds or until you have crumbs.
Add the butter to the mixer. Pulse for 10-15 seconds or until combined. Set aside.
In a bowl combine the milk and pudding. Mix with whisk until combined. Set aside.
Transfer the crumbs to 4 parfait cups. Reserve 2 teaspoons of crumbs for the topping. Gently press the crumbs until slightly compacted. Pour the pudding evenly into each of the cups on top of the crumbs.
Finish by adding a layer of whipped cream on top of the pudding. Sprinkle one teaspoon of the chocolate sprinkles onto each parfait to finish.
Serve and enjoy these parfaits.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
KFC Chocolate Parfaits
Ingredients
- 7 graham cracker sheets (see notes below)
- ¼ cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3.9 ounce box instant chocolate pudding
- 2 cups whipped topping (Cool Whip or Reddi Whip)
- ⅛ cup chocolate sprinkles (divided use)
Instructions
- In a food processor add 7 graham cracker sheets. Pulse for 30 seconds or until you have crumbs.
- Add 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted to the mixer. Pulse for 10-15 seconds or until combined. Set aside.
- In a bowl combine 2 cups whole milk and 3.9 ounce box instant chocolate pudding. Whisk together until fully combine and starts to thicken. Set aside.
- Transfer the crumbs to 4 parfait cups. Reserve 2 teaspoons of crumbs for the topping. Gently press the crumbs into the bottom until slightly compacted.
- Pour the pudding evenly into the cups on top of the crumbs.
- Finish by adding a layer of whipped cream on top of the pudding.
- Sprinkle one teaspoon of the chocolate sprinkles onto each parfait to finish.
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
- 7 graham cracker sheets is about one cup of crumbs.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
This is my new all time absolute favorite. These were so good from KFC growing up.