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2010Tart n’ Tangy Frozen Yogurt
This homemade frozen yogurt is so good — so similar to your favorite fro-yo (only imagine fresher and better) – it’s worth buying an ice cream machine just so you can make it whenever you want. Trust me, I wouldn’t normally recommend buying new kitchen equipment for just one recipe but this is an exception — it’s that good.
It’s funny, for all its newly discovered popularity, you’d think the frozen yogurt makers came up with some magic new formula. Not so! The recipe for tart n’ tangy frozen yogurt is unbelievably simple: plain yogurt and sugar — that’s it! Who knows what else the yogurt chains are putting in it, but when you make it at home that’s all you need.
I’ve tried this recipe with all types of yogurt, from whole milk Greek yogurt to nonfat regular. Using Greek-style yogurt results in an intensely creamy frozen yogurt with an ice cream-like consistency. It’s delicious but much creamier than the version you know from most frozen yogurt shops. I prefer the lighter, icier consistency of regular yogurt, but sometimes I combine them half and half and get something in between.
As for the fat content, whole milk yogurt is your best bet. Lowfat works too, but only if you’re planning on eating the whole batch right away (easy to do); it gets too icy and hard in the freezer. Nonfat just isn’t as good.
If you go out to buy an ice cream machine (I have this $50 one by Cuisinart), keep in mind that you’ll likely need to wait a day to try this recipe. Most ice cream makers come with a bowl that needs to be frozen overnight; I store mine in the freezer so it’s always ready to go.
I’m almost embarrased to admit how many times I’ve made this frozen yogurt. It’s super-easy and the kids love it as much as I do — maybe even more than ice cream and that’s saying a lot!
This is a good one. Enjoy!
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Tart n’ Tangy Frozen Yogurt
Printable Recipe
Makes 4 cups
Ingredients
4 cups (32 oz) plain whole milk or lowfat yogurt*
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
fruit toppings (optional)
Directions
1. Pour any excess liquid out of yogurt container. Using a whisk, mix yogurt and sugar together in a medium bowl until sugar is completely dissolved. (Keep yogurt container for finished frozen yogurt.) Taste and add a few more tablespoons of sugar if necessary (some brands are more tart than others).
2. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for freezing yogurt in ice cream/frozen yogurt machine. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s smooth and stiff (it will harden even more in the freezer). Serve right away or scoop back into yogurt container and freeze until ready to eat. If it stays in the freezer more than a few hours, you may need to let it sit out a bit to soften before serving.
*If you use lowfat yogurt, keep in mind that it’s best right out of the ice cream machine. It does not freeze well.
peachkins
Now I want to buy an ice cream maker…
leslie
Ohhh my! If this tasts anything like Pinkberry Original flavor..I am ALLLLLLL over it!
Jenn
Leslie, that’s exactly what it tastes like!
Sheryl
Amazing!!!! Our whole family loves this and so easy to make. We always finish the whole batch.
mercedes.
this looks delicious, although i wonder if it would work with a soy yogurt.
Alison
This was a HUGE hit at my Labor Day BBQ yesterday. It was gone in about 5 minutes. Thanks for all your amazing recipes. Keep ‘em coming, please!!
bethy
My husband, three-year old daughter and I were all standing around cleaning out the freezer bowl. You’re a Genius!
bethy
Cleaning out the freezer bowl with spoons (to the above).
anna
this is the best frozen yogurt!! we make it all the time!
Jenn
Hi All, I went to make this last night but realized at the last minute that I was out of regular sugar. I made it with brown sugar instead and and it was wonderful. Try it! (Start with 3/4 cup and only add more if necessary)
Amnah
Oooh I’m so excited to try this. Especially since I just picked up a Cuisnart ice cream maker for $5 at a garage sale this past weekend. “Only used once!”
Stefani
I’ve been looking for a frozen yogurt recipe! So excited to try this..going to put my ice cream maker bowl in my freezer tonight!
Nicole
Fantastic! My kids love this and we come up with all sorts of fun toppings!
Liesel
Our family loves this recipe….so easy, so delicious, and very natural-tasting. We also have a Cuisinart ice cream maker but had only made ice cream until you posted this recipe. The results are definitely better when using whole milk yogurt as opposed to low fat (or even non-fat) yogurt..
Liesel
Forgot to mention how much I love the ice cream dishes in your photos!
Jennifer F
I love this recipe! It is so fast and easy. I always have my ice cream maker bowl ready to go in the freezer, and normally have yogurt on hand, so whenever I’m craving something sweet I make this recipe! It is also great if suddenly you have unexpected guests for dinner because it is ready in 20 minutes and the only thing you need to do is put the ingredients into the bowl!
kim
I cant begin to tell you how delicious this is!!!!!!! we added cinnamon once, and it was fantastic! Ive had this recipe for a week, and weve made it 3x. Made with lowfat yogurt, and it was delicious, its creamier when eaten fresh, but its still plenty wonderful once its frozen. yum yum yum
Naomi
Could you make it with a sweetener other than sugar? Honey or agave?
Jenn
Hi Naomi, I’ve made it with honey and it works beautifully — the only thing is that the flavor of the honey will be very strong. Lately I’ve been making it with half regular low fat plain yogurt, half 2% Greek yogurt and it’s really good. Hope you enjoy!
Angela
This is the first recipe I made when I got a new-to-me ice cream maker. I really like the taste but it gets really super duper hard in the freezer. Is there any way to avoid this besides turning down the freezer temp? I’ve seen suggestions to add vodka to the yogurt as it’s freezing as well.