KFC Lemon Creme Parfaits
These KFC Lemon Creme Parfaits are a fun, nostalgic, layered dessert with a graham cracker crumbs layer, lemon pudding, and whipped cream.
A LAYERED 5 INGREDIENT DESSERT
Today, I’m bringing back a classic favorite with this KFC Lemon Parfait recipe! Way back in the day when my hubs and I were first dating, we’d hit up the local KFC for dinner and enjoy some of these layered desserts for a sweet treat to end the night with. You can’t go wrong with these Little Bucket parfait desserts. I recently shared the KFC Chocolate Parfaits and KFC Strawberry Parfaits. I think those were one of the last parfaits KFC got rid of before completely removing them from the menu. With layers of lemon pudding, whipped topping and graham cracker crumbs, these parfaits make for a light, no-bake dessert perfect for anytime!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
KFC also made a Chocolate Parfait and Strawberry Parfaits, but I don’t see why you couldn’t use any other pudding flavor.
I think you can make these up to a day in advance. I would wait to add the crumb topping until serving so they don’t get soggy while sitting in the whipped topping.
You could crumble some Golden Oreos or Lemon Oreos to add on top of the whipped topping.
I used these plastic cups (paid affiliate link). Small orange juice glasses work well. It doesn’t have to be a specific shape, as long as you think it would work. Generally you would want an 8 or 9 ounce glass.
You can keep these Lemon Parfaits in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- graham cracker sheets – if using store-bought graham cracker crumbs, you’ll need about a cup. You could also use a shortbread style cookie like Lorna Doone!
- unsalted butter– You can use salted butter. There is so little salt in salted butter that it won’t make a huge difference here.
- whole milk– this helps the pudding set up properly. I don’t recommend using skim milk or a milk alternative unless you’ve made it before using it successfully.
- instant lemon pudding– When you’re grabbing a box of this from the store, check which type of pudding you are getting. For this recipe, I use the instant pudding type where you just add milk and stir. Many brands also make a Cook N Serve type of pudding. If you grab this kind, you’ll need to cook it according to the directions on the back of the box because if you just add milk to the mix, it won’t set up properly.
- whipped cream– Cool Whip or Reddi Whip. Store brand whipped topping can be used.
HOW TO MAKE KFC LEMON CRÈME 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 the cups on top of the crumbs. Finish by adding a layer of whipped topping on top of the pudding.
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of graham cracker crumbs on top of each parfait.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
KFC Lemon Crème Parfaits
Ingredients
- 7 graham cracker sheets (about one cup crumbs, see notes below)
- ¼ cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted (can use salted butter)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3.4 ounce box instant lemon pudding
- 2 cups whipped topping (Cool Whip or Reddi Whip)
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 3.4 ounce box instant lemon pudding. Mix with whisk until combined and starting to thicken. 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 the cups on top of the crumbs.
- Finish by adding a layer of whipped cream on top of the pudding.
- Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of graham cracker crumbs on top of each parfait.
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.
- These would also be delicious made with a shortbread type cookie, like Lorna Doone (you’d need about a 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.
Thank you!! This was my favorite dessert growing up. The only thing that you are missing within your recipe are the yellow sprinkles on top.
Shoot, you’re right!! Good memories for sure ❤️
These are great. Simple and very delicious.
HI I hope not giving a star doesn’t mess up ratings, but I’ve not tried yet–can’t wait But also wanted to ask if you could remake the apple ones they used to have. I loved those but can’t remember enough to figure out what was in them. 🙂
Hey Heidi! The apple ones ran for such a short time but you could totally make those with apple pie filling. I would add a bit more cinnamon to the apple pie filling and run a knife through them to chop them up a bit. Then just layer as I did here: graham cracker crumb filling, apple pie filling then whipped topping 🙂