Ingredients
To create this delightful and refreshing 5-Minute Berry Yogurt Bark, you only need a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- Plain Yogurt (2 cups): The creamy base of our bark! You can choose your favorite type – Greek yogurt for extra protein and tang, regular yogurt for a milder flavor, or even dairy-free yogurt alternatives like coconut, almond, or soy yogurt for dietary preferences. Ensure it’s plain and unsweetened to control the sweetness level yourself.
- Mixed Berries (1 ½ cups): The stars of the show, adding vibrant color, sweetness, and a burst of flavor. A mix of fresh or frozen berries works wonderfully. Consider using a combination of strawberries (sliced), blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries for a beautiful and diverse berry medley. If using frozen berries, there’s no need to thaw them, adding to the convenience.
- Sweetener (2-3 tablespoons): To lightly sweeten the yogurt and balance the tartness. Options include honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or even a sugar-free alternative like stevia or erythritol for a lower sugar version. Adjust the amount to your taste preference and the sweetness of your berries.
- Optional Add-ins (¼ cup total): To elevate your yogurt bark and add extra texture and flavor. Consider adding a sprinkle of granola for crunch, chopped nuts or seeds (almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds) for healthy fats and texture, shredded coconut for a tropical twist, mini chocolate chips or cacao nibs for a touch of indulgence, or a drizzle of nut butter for added richness. These are entirely customizable to your liking!
Instructions
Creating this 5-Minute Berry Yogurt Bark is incredibly straightforward and requires minimal effort. Follow these simple steps to whip up your own batch of frozen goodness:
- Prepare Your Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet (approximately 9×13 inches) with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will prevent the yogurt bark from sticking and make it easy to remove once frozen. Ensure the parchment paper or mat is laid flat and smooth on the baking sheet.
- Prepare the Yogurt: In a medium-sized bowl, combine your plain yogurt and sweetener of choice. If you are using honey, maple syrup, or agave, drizzle it evenly over the yogurt. If using a powdered sweetener like stevia or erythritol, sprinkle it evenly.
- Mix and Sweeten: Gently stir the yogurt and sweetener together until they are well combined and the sweetener is fully incorporated. Taste the yogurt mixture and adjust the sweetness if needed. Remember that the berries will also add some sweetness, so don’t over-sweeten at this stage. The goal is a lightly sweet and slightly tangy yogurt base.
- Spread the Yogurt: Pour the sweetened yogurt onto the prepared baking sheet. Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the yogurt evenly across the baking sheet in a thin layer. Aim for a thickness of about ¼ to ½ inch. A thinner layer will freeze faster and result in a crisper bark, while a slightly thicker layer will be a bit softer.
- Arrange the Berries: Scatter the mixed berries evenly over the surface of the yogurt layer. Gently press the berries down slightly into the yogurt to ensure they adhere well and don’t fall off easily once frozen and broken into pieces. Distribute them in a visually appealing manner, creating a colorful and inviting pattern.
- Add Optional Toppings (if desired): If you are using any optional add-ins like granola, nuts, seeds, coconut, or chocolate chips, sprinkle them evenly over the berries and yogurt. Again, gently press them down slightly to help them adhere.
- Freeze Until Solid: Carefully transfer the baking sheet to the freezer. Freeze for at least 2-3 hours, or until the yogurt bark is completely solid and firm. For best results, freeze for at least 4 hours or even overnight to ensure it is thoroughly frozen. The bark should be hard to the touch and not soft or squishy.
- Break into Pieces: Once the yogurt bark is frozen solid, remove the baking sheet from the freezer. Lift the parchment paper or silicone mat from the baking sheet and carefully peel it away from the frozen bark. Place the bark on a cutting board. Using your hands, gently break the yogurt bark into irregular pieces of your desired size. You can also use a large knife to cut it into squares or triangles if you prefer more uniform shapes, but breaking it gives it a rustic and charming look.
- Serve and Enjoy: Immediately serve the berry yogurt bark and enjoy! It’s best enjoyed straight from the freezer as it will start to soften if left at room temperature for too long. Store any leftover bark in an airtight container in the freezer to maintain its frozen texture and freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 10 grams