Sweetened entirely with honey, this frozen yogurt is a step above the ordinary. Honey acts as a natural humectant, keeping the texture silky and scoopable while lending a gentle floral warmth that granulated sugar simply cannot replicate. Full-fat Greek yogurt delivers the creamy, tangy body that makes every spoonful satisfying, while cream cheese stabilizes the base against iciness. Pure vanilla rounds everything out with a soft, aromatic sweetness that lets the honey shine. Serve in waffle cones, layered in parfait glasses with fresh fruit and granola, or alongside warm fruit crisp for a stunning summer dessert.

Ingredients

• 3 cups full-fat plain Greek yogurt, strained overnight if possible
• 3/4 cup good quality honey, warmed slightly
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup (optional but improves scoopability)
• 2 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1.5 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• Pinch of fine sea salt

Directions

1. Place the freezer bowl in the freezer at least 24 hours before churning.
2. Warm the honey for 10 seconds in the microwave so it blends smoothly.
3. In a blender or food processor, combine the Greek yogurt, honey, corn syrup, cream cheese, vanilla, lemon juice, and salt.
4. Blend on high for 60 seconds until completely smooth and fully combined.
5. Taste and adjust honey or lemon juice as desired.
6. Cover and refrigerate the mixture for at least 1 hour or up to overnight until thoroughly chilled.
7. Assemble your ice cream maker and turn it on before adding the mixture.
8. Pour the chilled base through the spout into the running machine.
9. Churn for 20 to 25 minutes until thick, creamy, and the consistency of soft serve.
10. For soft serve texture, serve immediately from the machine.
11. For a firmer scoop, transfer to a freezer-safe container, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface, cover tightly, and freeze for 2 to 4 hours.
12. Remove from the freezer 5 to 8 minutes before serving to soften slightly before scooping.

Tips

• Straining yogurt overnight through cheesecloth removes excess whey and produces a noticeably creamier, denser result
• Always start the machine before pouring in the base to prevent it from freezing to the bowl walls
• Local Minnesota honey is an exceptional choice and adds beautiful regional character
• Wildflower or orange blossom honey elevates the vanilla flavor beautifully
• Store in the back of the freezer tightly covered for up to one week

Flavor variations

All variations use the honey vanilla base above with the following additions or adjustments.

Honey Lavender Vanilla

• Add 1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender steeped in 2 tablespoons warm water for 10 minutes, then strained
• Use lavender honey in place of regular honey if available
• Pairs beautifully with fresh blackberries on top

Strawberry Honey

• Blend 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries with 1 tablespoon honey separately into a smooth puree
• Swirl into the churned yogurt just before transferring to the freezer container
• Add a few drops of lemon zest to brighten the berry flavor

Peach Ginger Honey

• Blend in 1 cup ripe peach puree with the base
• Add 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• Use orange blossom honey for a stunning flavor pairing

Mango Coconut Honey

• Replace 1 cup of Greek yogurt with full-fat coconut milk
• Blend in 1 cup ripe mango puree
• Reduce lemon juice to 1 teaspoon and add a pinch of cardamom

Blueberry Lemon Honey

• Lightly mash 3/4 cup fresh blueberries with 1 tablespoon honey and 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Fold into the churned yogurt just before transferring to the freezer container
• Use wildflower honey in the base for a complementary floral note

Chocolate Honey

• Add 3 tablespoons good quality unsweetened cocoa powder to the base before blending
• Drizzle 1/4 cup melted dark chocolate into the machine during the last 2 minutes of churning
• Use buckwheat honey for a deep, rich flavor profile

Honey Cinnamon Brown Butter

• Brown 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a small pan until nutty and golden, then cool completely
• Blend the cooled brown butter into the base
• Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg
• Outstanding served with warm apple crisp

Raspberry Rose Honey

• Puree 1 cup fresh raspberries and strain out seeds
• Add 1/2 teaspoon rose water to the base along with the raspberry puree
• Use a light floral honey such as clover or orange blossom

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