With heatwaves sweeping the UK, a refreshing frozen treat is much needed. Frozen yoghurt carries less guilt than the usual ice cream and it’s rather easy to whip up. While you will find that simply freezing yoghurt will create more of an ice crystal dish, there are alternative – and equally stress-free – options for turning regular yoghurt into something yummy and creamy.
Use the Right Yoghurt
For this type of frozen treat, you’ll want whole milk yoghurt. Fat is essential for creating a creamy texture, so be sure to begin with the best yoghurt option. Greek yoghurt may also help you improve the texture of the final product, as it is thicker. The water in the yoghurt is what turns into ice crystals, so you really want to eliminate this as much as possible.
Add More Fat
To get a truly creamy frozen yoghurt, you can add more fat. This is done by mixing cream or mascarpone into the mixture before freezing. You can still make frozen yoghurt without this addition, but it will tend to have a grainier texture and will contain ice crystals. Add about ½ a cup of heavy cream to 2 pints of yoghurt.
Sweeten It
This is a healthier dessert, but you’ll still want to add a little sugar to the mixture. Not only does this serve to sweeten the dessert, but it also helps prevent those ice crystals from forming. A bit of sugar should help prevent a grainy texture and will make the whole thing smoother and better tasting. If you don’t use sugar, try corn syrup, honey, or agave syrup. You should aim for 5-8 tablespoons of sweetener for every 2 pints of yoghurt.
Freeze It the Right Way
Ideally, you’ll have an ice cream maker to mix up the frozen yoghurt. Whisk it well ahead of time to ensure the sugar is dissolved. Then follow the instructions for the machine to create the frozen yoghurt.
If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can set a metal bowl full of the mixture in a bowl of ice and whisk until it is mostly frozen. Place in the freezer to finish freezing.
Experiment with Flavours
You should be able to mix all sorts of wonderful things into your frozen yoghurt before freezing. Some ideas include:
- Chocolate chips
- Pureed fruit or berries
- Chopped nuts or seeds
- Concentrated flavours like almond or vanilla extract
You can create a variety of different types of frozen yoghurt to enjoy on these hot summer days. It’s a good skill to have and well worth the effort invested.
Are you looking for a good yoghurt to start with? Contact Freshways today to learn more about our options.