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This no-churn raspberry frozen yogurt delivers amazing creaminess packed with natural fruit flavor. It's the perfect cool-down treat for scorching summer afternoons when you want something refreshing without dragging out an ice cream maker.
I whipped up this treat during last summer's terrible heat spell. My children kept asking for ice cream daily, and I needed something I wouldn't feel guilty giving them constantly. This frozen yogurt quickly turned into our go-to summer dessert.
Ingredients
- Frozen raspberries: They bring bright color and tangy flavor – try to find ones without extra sugar added
- Full fat Greek yogurt: Makes everything creamy without needing heavy cream – go for a thick strained brand like Fage 5% for best outcome
- Stevia glycerite: Adds sweetness sugar-free and cuts down the bitter aftertaste you often get with other stevia options
- Vanilla extract: Tones down the sharpness from berries and yogurt – always pick pure extract for top-notch flavor
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Blend the Base:
- Toss your frozen raspberries, Greek yogurt, stevia glycerite, and vanilla extract into a food processor and mix until smooth. Don't stress about small raspberry bits that stay behind – they add nice texture. You'll end up with a thick, smoothie-type mix showing off a gorgeous pink throughout.
- First Freeze:
- Pour your blended mixture into a glass 8inch square dish, making sure it's spread flat with a spatula. Cover using plastic wrap pushed right against the surface to keep ice crystals away. Freeze about 45 minutes until the outside starts hardening while the middle stays somewhat soft.
- First Stir:
- Take the pan out and scrape those frozen edges into the softer middle. Mix everything together until it looks uniform. This step really matters for breaking up ice chunks and making everything creamy. Your mixture will now look like soft serve all the way through.
- Freeze and Stir Cycle:
- Put the covered pan back in the freezer for 2 more hours. Every half hour, do the stirring thing again. This constant mixing stops big ice crystals from forming and creates that smooth texture that makes this frozen yogurt so amazing. The mix will get thicker each time you stir it.
- Serve or Store:
- Once completely frozen, you can enjoy it right away as soft serve in cold bowls, or freeze another 1-2 hours for something you can scoop more easily. The lovely pink color with tiny raspberry specks looks absolutely stunning when served.
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This treat always takes me back to summers at my grandma's place where we'd pick fresh raspberries from her backyard. She always told me fancy gadgets weren't needed for tasty frozen treats. The bright berry flavor in this yogurt instantly transports me to her kitchen where I first got hooked on cooking.
Perfect Texture Tips
Getting that smooth, creamy texture in homemade frozen yogurt can be tricky without special equipment. Those regular stirring sessions are super important for smashing ice crystals as they form. If your yogurt gets too solid in the freezer, try adding a tablespoon of vodka to your mix before freezing. You won't taste the alcohol, but it lowers the freezing temperature, keeping your dessert softer even after it's been frozen a while.
Easy Variations
This basic recipe works great for tons of different versions. Try using strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries instead of raspberries. For something more indulgent, mix in some mini chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate right before the final freeze. Different extracts like almond or lemon work great with the berries too. My family really loves when I add a tablespoon of fresh lemon zest to make the flavors pop even more.
Serving Suggestions
This frozen yogurt tastes awesome by itself but goes really well with warm desserts too. Try a scoop next to a warm brownie or chocolate cake for an amazing hot-cold combo. For breakfast, put some on whole grain waffles with a bit of honey drizzled on top. When you have guests over, make fancy individual parfaits by layering the frozen yogurt with fresh berries and crushed graham crackers in clear glasses to show off those pretty colors.
Storage Wisdom
You can keep this frozen yogurt in an airtight container in your freezer for up to three months, though it's definitely best during the first few weeks. Since there aren't any commercial additives in this recipe, it will get pretty hard when stored long-term. For the best experience, move it from your freezer to the fridge about 30 minutes before you want to eat it so it can soften enough to scoop.
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This frozen yogurt gives you a simple yet delicious way to enjoy summer fruits while creating family traditions that'll last for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use fresh raspberries instead of frozen?
Fresh raspberries can work too, but they won't give you the right texture right away. Just pop them in the freezer for at least 2 hours before you start making your dessert.
- → What can I substitute for stevia glycerite?
You can swap in about 2/3 cup of regular sugar, honey, or any granulated sweetener you like. Feel free to adjust how much you use since both raspberries and yogurt have their own natural tang.
- → Why is my frozen yogurt too icy?
Your dessert might get icy if you don't stir it enough as it freezes or if you use low-fat yogurt. Stick with full-fat Greek yogurt and make sure to mix it every half hour during freezing to stop ice crystals from forming.
- → Can I add other fruits to this frozen yogurt?
Definitely! Try strawberries, blackberries or blueberries - they all work great. You can stick with one kind or throw together a mix. Just keep the total amount of frozen fruit at 6 ounces.
- → How long can I store this frozen yogurt?
You can keep this frozen yogurt in a sealed container in your freezer for up to three months. For the yummiest texture, take it out about 30 minutes before you want to eat it so it can soften up a bit.
- → Can I make this in an ice cream maker?
This recipe works fine without an ice cream maker, but you can totally use one if you've got it. Just mix everything as the directions say, then let your ice cream maker do its thing following the machine's normal instructions.