This two-ingredient homemade frozen yogurt is so quick and easy and delicious you’ll be making it all summer long!
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We go through a ton of yogurt at our house, so much so that the first thing I do each Monday morning is begin turning a gallon of milk into homemade Greek yogurt. It’s a kitchen staple, the best “convenience” food, and an amazing treat when the weather turns warm, and we throw it in the ice cream maker. Not only do my kids and my husband love this homemade frozen yogurt recipe, but it’s also full of belly-friendly probiotics which makes me love dishing it out!
Homemade frozen yogurt is creamier than any you could buy at the store and it’s ridiculously simple to make. It’s made with nothing more than plain Greek yogurt and your favorite fruit or preserves so it’s easy to throw together and as versatile as you choose to make it!
So as soon as we feel summer approaching, I dig out the Cuisinart Ice Cream maker. I don’t mix anything ahead, I just turn on the machine and add my yogurt, then my jam of choice and the yogurt will mix together nicely. Let the machine do the work for you! If homemade Greek yogurt isn’t a staple in your home yet, you can definitely use any plain Greek yogurt from the store. Just keep in mind that thicker, high fat yogurt equals creamier homemade frozen yogurt. Fage brand 5% plain Greek yogurt would work nicely!
If you want homemade yogurt to be your new favorite convenience food, read our tutorial, here!
Health Benefits of Homemade Frozen Yogurt
Greek yogurt is loaded with probiotics (I like to call them happy bacteria), which is so good for gut health. It seems that so many people suffer from tummy problems these days, and yogurt may be a part of the solution.
Calcium is so important for good bone health and I always feel that I’m chasing enough calcium in my diet. This yogurt helps me meet that requirement while also getting so many other good things!
Using homemade Greek yogurt that has been allowed to ferment for a full 24 hours has additional benefits. A full day of fermentation allows the yogurt to have the greatest possible number of probiotics. Also, during the 24-hour fermentation process, the “happy bacteria” digest the sugars in milk, otherwise known as lactose. The end result is a yogurt that is often better tolerated by those who have lactose intolerance. Now, if you’re ALLERGIC to dairy, no amount of fermentation will change that!
Why this Works
The key to smooth and creamy homemade frozen yogurt is to limit excess water that can make it icy. Greek yogurt is perfect because it has been strained of most of its liquid whey. Similarly, if you were to add fresh fruit and a sweetener to your yogurt, the fruit would release water that would create an icy texture in the final product. Jam or fruit preserves are the perfect way to add flavor and sweetness without extra water. Choose the jam that works best for you, whether that be homemade preserves, organic jam, or sugar free!
How to make Homemade Frozen Yogurt
If you have a Cuisinart or similar ice cream maker, you’re going to add the yogurt and jam through the opening at the top of the machine AFTER turning it on. Using a canning funnel helps to make this a cleaner process 🙂 Add 2 cups of Greek yogurt then begin to add your jam. Start with 3/4 cup and let it mix until it’s incorporated. Give it a taste. Depending on the jam and your preference, your frozen yogurt may be perfect! If you’d prefer it sweeter, add a quarter cup more of jam and continue letting your ice cream maker churn for about thirty minutes or per the instructions.
CLICK HERE to see the ice cream maker that I use and love!
Once the thirty minutes is up, your yogurt will be yummy but not completely frozen. Transfer to a storage container and freeze for 4+ hours before scooping and enjoying. Repeat weekly all summer!
You can keep your homemade frozen yogurt in any airtight container for about a month, but these colorful ice cream containers (CLICK HERE) have been a worthy splurge! They are perfect for scooping out of and are also insulated, so your yogurt won’t melt on the counter.
Let me know what flavors and variations become your favorites!
Happy Baking!
Homemade Frozen Yogurt
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain Greek Yogurt, homemade or store bought.
- 3/4-1 cup fruit jam or preserves of your choice.
Directions
- Set up your Cuisinart or similar 1.5-quart capacity ice cream maker and turn on.
- Begin adding in your yogurt as the machine churns.
- Add in the desired amount of jam or preserves and allow to churn for 30 minutes.
- Transfer the frozen yogurt to an air-tight container and freeze for 4+ hours.
- Scoop and enjoy all summer!
