Simple Sundays | Lemon Curd Frozen Yogurt

Wednesdays used to be our day. School let out early on an abbreviated schedule, and mom would pick me up. On Wednesdays, she didn’t have to rush to work, and still in my plaid uniform jumper, we would head straight to our special place. Carvel’s…

Simple Sundays | Lemon Curd Frozen Yogurt

Wednesdays used to be our day. School let out early on an abbreviated schedule, and mom would pick me up. On Wednesdays, she didn’t have to rush to work, and still in my plaid uniform jumper, we would head straight to our special place. Carvel’s had buy one get one free ice cream sundaes every Wednesday, and Mom and I would each get the same kind: a swirl of chocolate and vanilla soft serve, topped with pineapple bits and a cherry on top. I would take forever, savoring each spoonful ever so slowly. I was always a slow eater. The ice cream threatened to melt before I was done. But it didn’t matter, that was our special day, and we had nothing but time.

Out here, there is, I believe, one Carvel outpost from the mainly east coast chain. But we do have frozen yogurt.

They have popped up in nearly every strip mall, shopping plaza and main street. Where there is a Starbucks, a few doors down there is surely a frozen yogurt shop. And for the most part, there is room for all, big chains and family owned alike. When it is hot, and it often can be out here, you can be sure that families are swarming at their favorite fro yo shop. Refreshing and generally considered a healthier alternative to ice cream, you can be sure that is my special treat with my own little ones.

We like to celebrate with frozen yogurt. Good report cards, chores well done, the first 90 degree day of the season, a good hair day – we celebrate it all.

I pulled out my ice cream maker this week. After a season of being hidden in the depths of my cupboards, I was ready to hear its churning once again. I have fallen in love with making frozen yogurt. I don’t need to stand over the stove to stir a custard. I don’t have to wait (impatiently, I might add) for a custard to cure. Instead, I swirled some homemade lemon curd into some tart yogurt. A few turns of the spoon and it was ready to churn. And not too long after that, it was ready to scoop.

Topped with fresh berries, I dipped my spoon into the cup of Lemon Curd Frozen Yogurt. It greeted me with a sunshiny zing, just the perfect tartness. I dipped again. And again. I guess I’m still a slow eater, but if you had a bowl of this, you would be too. You wouldn’t want to rush it at all.

Lemon Curd Frozen Yogurt

| Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 30 minutes

Simpler than ice cream, and healthier to boot, this tangy frozen yogurt is creamy and refreshing! If you are short on time, use store bought lemon curd, but if you a little extra time, do try making with my homemade lemon curd. You won't regret it. Top with fresh berries and save yourself a trip to the fro yo shop!

Ingredients

1 cup creamy vanilla yogurt
1 cup 2% Greek yogurt
3/4 cup lemon curd

Instructions

Stir together the vanilla yogurt, Greek yogurt and lemon curd. Pour into the pre-frozen bowl of your ice cream maker and churn for about 30 minutes, or until it has achieved a thick, frozen yogurt consistency. Enjoy immediately or store in a tightly sealed container in the freezer.

Comments

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  1. domain

    always i used to read smaller articles or reviews which
    as well clear their motive, and that is also
    happening with this post which I am reading at this place.

    Reply
  2. Donna

    This is a truly superlative offering…lemon curd, yogurt and blackberries equals pure, cool, spring/summer bliss….Do you have a particular sorbet/ice cream machine that you could recommend? My birthday approaches, and I am wondering if it is better to “wish” for a turbine type (self-freezing) unit or one where you “pre-freeze” the bowl in the freezer before use. Thank you for any enlightenment…and thank you for sharing this inspiring recipe!

    Reply
    • liren

      Thank you, Donna! Great question – I have a very simple Cuisinart ice cream maker. It comes with with two bowls, so I always keep one in the freezer, just in case. Given that I usually let the machine hibernate in the winter, I find that it suits my needs just fine. But of course, it would be nice to have a professional grade unit that did not require pre freezing. For me, I can only justify that if I were to find myself making frozen treats every day (which I do not) or just don’t have the foresight to pre freeze a bowl (with two bowls, I’ve always got one or both ready to go in the summer). If you find you fall in the latter group, definitely wish for the self freezing unit (I always say get the best you can, and wish big). I hope that helps!

      Reply
  3. Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot

    Oh this looks so good Liren! I must give it a try. Love the addition of the blackberries too! :)

    Reply
  4. Rikki

    Wow, does this look incredibly refreshing or what!? Frozen yogurt is one of my weaknesses, I have to admit. The lemons look so beautiful against that background, the colors compliment each other perfectly. I love everything about this!

    Reply
  5. Jennifer (Delicieux)

    This is such a great and easy recipe Liren, and delicious to boot. Oh how I love lemon curd. It’s like a taste of summer, which sadly has all but disappeared here. Even so, I’d love a scoop of this.

    Reply
  6. Krista

    Liren, your photos are simply beautiful! And just another reminder that it is absolutely necessary that I get an ice cream maker this summer. I love your memories of Wednesday afternoons. My kids get out early then too and I may need to start a new tradition.

    Reply
  7. Jen Laceda @ Tartine and Apron Strings

    I wish I had an ice cream maker. Maybe, that’s my next purchase! So for now, I’ll have to scale by hand :( But sometimes, I don’t have the patience to wait 4 – 5 hours for my ice cream to be ready…waaah!!! You food styling is really gorgeous! Live your images, as usual.

    Reply
  8. Holly

    I received an ice cream maker this christmas, but never thought of making frozen yogurt. What a great idea, and my husband loves lemon! I’m going to try this once we get through the two other flavors I made this weekend.

    Reply
    • liren

      Sounds like you’ve been busy with your ice cream maker, Holly! When you finish those batches, hope you give this frozen yogurt a try!

      Reply
  9. Nami | Just One Cookbook

    YUM!! we love frozen yogurt and we pay for quite $ visiting our fav store… I think it’s time to try making it at home! I always love your pictures…now hard to pick which one to pin… :-)

    Reply
  10. Suzanne

    Love ice-cream/frozen yogurt and it has always been a family favorite treat since I was little. Lemon curd is special on it’s own but turned into a fro-yo that makes me smile even more :)

    Reply
  11. Sandra's Easy Cooking

    As I was reading your post, my mouth started to water…you described it so well! Your ice cream look so tasty! I need ice cream maker…
    As always stunning photos! Happy Sunday to you!

    Reply
  12. Priscilla - She's Cookin'

    I’m taking 15 minutes and making your lemon curd so I can then make this lovely citrusy frozen yogurt AND have some with Lisa’s coconut lemon scones! I am also officially craving lemon now :)

    Reply
    • liren

      Oh how wonderful! It’s almost like Lisa and I sneaking into your kitchen with you! Now if only I can figure out a way to sneak into your suitcase for your world travels, I’ll be all set! Enjoy the lemony sunshine, Priscilla.

      Reply
  13. Jean

    I just love the flavors going on in your frozen yogurt. I’ve fallen love with making ice cream and sorbets but haven’t made an attempt on fro-yo yet. Your use of lemon curd here is nothing short of inspiring. This is beautiful, Liren. :)

    Reply
  14. Rowena @ Apron and Sneakers

    There’s nothing better than remembering precious moments with your parents from your childhood. I have some food memories with my parents too that I like to recreate in my mind because those are some of the things that help me keep them alive in my mind. Love your frozen yogurt. I am thinking of taking out my ice cream maker too after resting during the cold months.

    Reply
  15. Lisa { AuthenticSuburbanGourmet }

    I love lemon curd and ever since you made your own, I have had it my list to make and NOW you have given me another reason to make it. Boy – this looks SO refreshing and beautiful. Love the front photo – just perfect. Enjoy your Sunday!

    Reply
    • liren

      Yay, I’m so glad someone else remembers Carvel’s! This brings back memories of Fudgie the Whale, too :)

      Reply
  16. Cassie

    I love this story, Liren. There is nothing like food that reminds us of our childhood. And this frozen yogurt is so great – I love the use of Greek yogurt. Sounds delicious and healthy!

    Reply
    • liren

      Thank you, Cassie. I also love how this triggered such a special memory – food is so powerful like that :) I love using the Greek yogurt because it saves that extra step of straining the yogurt – and it is so creamy and flavorful, too!

      Reply
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