Lemon frozen yogurt is one of my favorite cold desserts in summer. I love its bright, tangy flavor of creamy yogurt and fresh lemon juice. The smooth texture surprises me every time.
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Lemon Frozen Yogurt Recipe
Lemon frozen yogurt is a popular and healthy frozen dessert. It combines the tartness of lemon with the smoothness of yogurt to create a refreshing, tangy flavor and creamy texture.
The treat is a lighter, often healthier alternative to traditional ice cream. It’s a healthy dessert choice due to the probiotic benefits of yogurt, lower fat, and natural lemon flavor.
You can serve this frozen yogurt with berry sauce, such as blueberry, raspberry, or mixed berry sauces. The treat goes well with baked desserts such as cherry pie, dark chocolate, or fresh berries.
For drinks, try herbal teas like Earl Grey or lavender-infused beverages, along with mint or lemon-mint cocktails. Berry-based drinks, sparkling waters, and citrus mocktails like lemonade also enhance its refreshing flavor.
Here’s how to make the lemon frozen yogurt:
Lemon Frozen Yogurt
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 2 cups (500 g) plain full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream (helps maintain creaminess)
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar (or honey for a smoother texture)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh lemon juice (about 3-4 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Lemon zest for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, heavy cream, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Whisk until smooth and the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to enhance the flavors.
- Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually around 20-25 minutes).
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a shallow, freezer-safe dish and stir vigorously every 30 minutes for 3 hours.
- Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
- Top with lemon zest and server
Notes
- If you use the stirring process (without the ice cream maker), you don’t need to freeze it for an additional 4 hours.
- Use full-fat Greek yogurt and heavy cream for richness. Avoid using low-fat or fat-free yogurt, as it can result in an icy texture.
- Using honey instead of sugar also helps maintain a smooth texture.
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Variations
You can create other lemon frozen yogurt versions based on this recipe. Here are some notable variations.
- Lemon & Blueberry Frozen Yogurt layers or swirls blueberry sauce with lemon frozen yogurt for sweetness and a complementary fruity flavor.
- Meyer Lemon Frozen Yogurt uses Meyer lemons instead of regular lemons for a softer, sweeter, and less tart lemon flavor. This variation can also be combined with blueberry sauce for added sweetness and complexity.
- Honey Lavender Addition incorporates honey as the sole sweetener and ground lavender for a floral note. This version is creamy, bright, and refreshing. It offers a more nuanced flavor profile with a natural sweetness and aromatic complexity.
- Lemon Frozen Yogurt Cups is frozen inside hollowed-out lemon halves for a fun and visually appealing presentation. It’s a convenient, portable, and party-friendly format.
- Sugar-Free, Low-Fat Version uses low-fat Greek yogurt sweetened with artificial sweeteners like Splenda. It adds lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
- Lemon-Raspberry Frozen Yogurt Bites combine lemon zest and juice with raspberries, Greek yogurt, vanilla, maple syrup, and freeze-dried raspberry powder. They are tangy, sweet, and portable, perfect for a light snack.
- Classic Version with Cornstarch and Cream Cheese is a richer variation with cream cheese and cornstarch. It often uses a lemon syrup.