This parfait layers Milo-whipped cream, plain Greek yogurt, and fudgy brownie pieces into individual glasses, finished with chopped toasted hazelnuts. It comes together in about 15 minutes with no baking required, which makes it genuinely useful when you need a crowd-pleasing dessert without turning on the oven. The malt-chocolate flavor is familiar and crowd-friendly — the kind of thing that disappears fast at a gathering.
Before you start
The one technique that determines whether this parfait works is how you whip the cream. Start with cream that is properly chilled — warm cream will not hold peaks, and you will end up with a loose, runny layer that collapses into the yogurt. Once you reach stiff peaks, fold the Milo powder in with a spatula using slow, wide strokes from the bottom of the bowl. Rushing this step or stirring aggressively knocks out the air you just built in, leaving the Milo layer dense rather than light. Everything else in this recipe is straightforward, but get these two things right and the layers will hold their shape cleanly in the glass.
Troubleshooting
- Layers bleed into each other: The yogurt is too warm or too thin. Use a thick, full-fat Greek yogurt straight from the fridge. Runny low-fat yogurt will seep into the cream layer within minutes.
- Brownie pieces sink to the bottom: The brownie chunks are too large or the cream layer beneath them is under-whipped. Keep pieces small — roughly 1 cm — and make sure the cream layer is firm enough to support them before adding the next tier.
- Milo powder leaves dry lumps in the cream: Sift the Milo before folding it in. Milo can clump, especially in humid conditions, and sifting takes ten seconds and prevents gritty pockets in the finished cream.
- Hazelnuts go soft before serving: Add the chopped hazelnuts at the very last moment before the glasses go to the table, not before chilling. Any time in the fridge and they absorb moisture and lose their crunch — skip the garnish step during prep and keep the nuts in a small bowl until you are ready to serve.
- Parfait looks flat and short in the glass: You are likely over-compressing each layer as you spoon it in. Spoon gently and let each layer settle naturally rather than pressing it down.
Make-ahead notes
You can assemble the parfaits — cream, yogurt, and brownie layers — up to 24 hours in advance. Cover each glass tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The Milo cream holds its structure well overnight, and the brownie pieces actually soften slightly in that time, which most people prefer. Beyond 24 hours the yogurt starts to weep and the brownie gets too soft, so do not push it further. If you are making these for a larger event, the Milo whipped cream can be made up to 8 hours ahead and stored covered in the fridge, then spooned into glasses the morning of. Brownies can be cut and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Keep the hazelnuts separate and add them right before serving — this is the one step you cannot do ahead without losing texture.
Milo Delight Parfait
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Electric Mixer
- Parfait Glasses
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream chilled
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons Milo powder use premium quality Milo for the best flavor
- 1 cup Greek yogurt plain and unsweetened
- 1 cup chocolate brownie pieces bite-sized
- 4 tablespoons toasted hazelnuts chopped
Instructions
- Using an electric mixer, whip the chilled heavy cream in a mixing bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar while continuing to whip until stiff peaks form.
- Fold in the Milo powder gently into the whipped cream, ensuring not to deflate the mixture.
- In each parfait glass, layer the Milo cream, followed by a layer of Greek yogurt, and then a layer of brownie pieces. Repeat the layers until the glass is almost full.
- Top with additional Milo cream and sprinkle with toasted hazelnuts for garnish.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, consider adding a drizzle of hazelnut syrup on the top layer.
- For a healthier version, substitute Greek yogurt for the heavy cream entirely, though this will alter the texture significantly.
Nutrition
Your questions, answered
Can I use store-bought brownies instead of homemade?
Yes, store-bought brownies work fine here. Look for a fudgy style rather than a cakey one — they hold their shape better in the layers and do not crumble into the cream.
Can I make this without an electric mixer?
You can whip the cream by hand with a balloon whisk, but it takes 8 to 10 minutes of sustained effort and the cream must be very cold. A hand mixer is strongly recommended if you are making more than two servings.
What can I use instead of hazelnuts for the topping?
Toasted almonds or crushed digestive biscuits both work well as substitutes. If nut allergies are a concern, a small handful of Milo powder sprinkled directly on top gives a similar visual finish without any allergen risk.
How far ahead can I make these for a party?
Assemble the layered glasses up to 24 hours before your event and keep them covered in the fridge. Add the hazelnut topping only when you are ready to serve so it stays crunchy.
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