How To Make Vanilla Bean Yogurt Popsicles
Vanilla Bean yogurt popsicles are a great way to have a protein rich treat while cooling down in the summer with real fruit!
Making Popsicles With Yogurt
Popsicles are a delicious and often a nostalgic treat to enjoy in the summer time. The addition of a good quality yogurt adds some much needed nutrition to a treat that could be considered glorified frozen sugar water.
Homemade vs Store Bought Yogurt Popsicles
Making your own homemade popsicles may seem intimidating and difficult. However, once you see how easy and delicious they are, you might never go back to buying them from the store!
Not only are these yogurt popsicles more delicious with the REAL fruit and whole food ingredients, they only use a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. When you look at the complicated ingredient list of a store bought version, you’ll surely be convinced that these homemade popsicles are the best and more simple option for you and your family.
Ingredients For Homemade Yogurt Popsicles
Yogurt
The yogurt you choose to include in the recipe is the base for any flavor of yogurt popsicle you decide to make. Since I don’t digest pasteurized milk well, I use a homemade yogurt from this Raw Milk Yogurt Recipe.
If you are using store bought yogurt, I suggest using a plain/unflavored greek yogurt that doesn’t have any added ingredients. Using a thick plain/unflavored yogurt for homemade yogurt popsicles provides a nice base to flavor however you want to.
Sweetener
While it isn’t completely necessary to add extra sweetener to your homemade popsicles, it does add to the overall flavor of the treat. This is especially important if you or your family are JUST making the transition from store bought treats to homemade treats. Over time, you can adjust the level of sweetness to be less or more depending on your preferences.
If you enjoy this occasional treat with some extra sweetener, I suggest using a less refined sweetener. My favorite to use is Maple syrup due to its ability to easily incorporate into the yogurt. Other sweeteners you could use include honey or unrefined cane sugar. If you like to use any kind of granulated sugar alternatives (such as cane, coconut, maple, date or turbinado) I recommend blending the sugar first. Blending will help to reduce the grain size and allow for the sugar to dissolve easier.
Vanilla Extract & Vanilla Bean Paste
The vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste turns a simple sweetened plain yogurt into a delicious and classic treat. The vanilla bean paste alone will bring the beautiful black specks of the vanilla bean seeds to the final popsicle. The amount may be small in comparison to the total ingredient volume but it plays a big role in the overall flavor and experience of the dessert.
How to Store Homemade Vanilla Bean Yogurt Popsicles
To keep the best possible texture, these popsicles are best stored in the freezer until you want to enjoy them. Since popsicle molds only have a few compartments, it’s usually easiest to just keep them in the mold until they’re all gone.
The Shelflife of Homemade Vanilla Bean Yogurt Popsicles
As with just about anything homemade with real food ingredients, the shelflife of these treats are much shorter than store bought versions. If stored in a chest freezer that stays really cold, these popsicles will stay fresh and tasty for 3-6 months. However, you and your family will likely finish them off well before that time has passed.
Ingredients and Tools
4 cups Greek Yogurt
¾ cup Maple Syrup
½ tsp Vanilla Extract
2 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste
A Medium Mixing Bowl
A whisk or spoon
A popsicle mold
Directions
Combine all ingredients into your bowl and mix until the vanilla bean paste is well incorporated.
Add the mixture into each compartment of your popsicle mold.
Add popsicle sticks and place on a flat surface in your freezer until solid.
Once the popsicles are solid, they are ready to be enjoyed!
Vanilla Bean Yogurt Popsicle FAQ:
Why Make Popsicles With Yogurt?
Popsicles are a delicious and often a nostalgic treat to enjoy in the summer time. The addition of a good quality yogurt adds some much needed nutrition to a treat that could be considered glorified frozen sugar water.
Why Make Homemade Yogurt Popsicles?
Making your own homemade popsicles may seem intimidating and difficult. However, once you see how easy and delicious they are, you might never go back to buying them from the store!
Not only are these yogurt popsicles more delicious with the REAL fruit and whole food ingredients, they only use a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. When you look at the complicated ingredient list of a store bought version, you’ll surely be convinced that these homemade popsicles are the best and more simple option for you and your family.
What Kind Of Yogurt To Use For Yogurt Popsicles?
The yogurt you choose to include in the recipe is the base for any flavor of yogurt popsicle you decide to make. Since I don’t digest pasteurized milk well, I use a homemade yogurt from this Raw Milk Yogurt Recipe.
If you are using store bought yogurt, I suggest using a plain/unflavored greek yogurt that doesn’t have any added ingredients. Using a thick plain/unflavored yogurt for homemade yogurt popsicles provides a nice base to flavor however you want to.
What Kind Of Sweetener Should I Use For Yogurt Popsicles?
While it isn’t completely necessary to add extra sweetener to your homemade popsicles, it does add to the overall flavor of the treat. This is especially important if you or your family are JUST making the transition from store bought treats to homemade treats. Over time, you can adjust the level of sweetness to be less or more depending on your preferences.
If you enjoy this occasional treat with some extra sweetener, I suggest using a less refined sweetener. My favorite to use is Maple syrup due to its ability to easily incorporate into the yogurt. Other sweeteners you could use include honey or unrefined cane sugar. If you like to use any kind of granulated sugar alternatives (such as cane, coconut, maple, date or turbinado) I recommend blending the sugar first. Blending will help to reduce the grain size and allow for the sugar to dissolve easier.
Why Add Vanilla Extract and Vanilla Bean Paste to Yogurt Popsicles?
The vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste turns a simple sweetened plain yogurt into a delicious and classic treat. The vanilla bean paste alone will bring the beautiful black specks of the vanilla bean seeds to the final popsicle. The amount may be small in comparison to the total ingredient volume but it plays a big role in the overall flavor and experience of the dessert.
How Do I Store Homemade Vanilla Bean Yogurt Popsicles?
To keep the best possible texture, these popsicles are best stored in the freezer until you want to enjoy them. Since popsicle molds only have a few compartments, it’s usually easiest to just keep them in the mold until they’re all gone.
What’s The Shelflife of Homemade Vanilla Bean Yogurt Popsicles?
As with just about anything homemade with real food ingredients, the shelflife of these treats are much shorter than store bought versions. If stored in a chest freezer that stays really cold, these popsicles will stay fresh and tasty for 3-6 months. However, you and your family will likely finish them off well before that time has passed.
Did you try this? Share your creations in the comments or by tagging @MissysHomestead on Instagram.
Vanilla Bean Yogurt Popsicles
Equipment
- A medium mixing bowl
- A whisk or spoon
- Plastic popsicle bags or A popsicle mold
Ingredients
- 4 cups Greek Yogurt
- ¾ cup Maple Syrup
- ½ tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into your bowl and mix until the vanilla bean paste is well incorporated.
- Add the mixture into each compartment of your popsicle mold.
- Add popsicle sticks and place on a flat surface in your freezer until solid.
- Once the popsicles are solid, they are ready to be enjoyed!
