Berry Yogurt Bars

What is this delicious thing you are looking at? Well considering it was over 100 degrees yesterday in Chicago it was a little piece of heaven, but on all other days it's merely a double berry frozen yogurt bar. Refreshing, healthy, and easy to make!! I am telling you - this month's Everyday Food was rocking! This recipe was straight forward and definitely delivered on flavor. I deviated a bit, but hey, that's what recipes are for :)

Ingredients (for 6 molds)

• 1 cup of strawberries
• 1 cup of blueberries (or really any berry - I used black raspberries that I bought from Farmer's Market)
• 1 1/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 lemon or lime (optional)
• Popsicle molds (I bought mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond)

Directions

Prepare yourself: this is going to be easy and fairly painless. If you can puree and pour you are going to be good to go. 

First add your cup of strawberries and 1 tablespoon of sugar to a food processor and blend until smooth (about a minute). Pour into bowl.

Next add your blueberries to the food processor, with a tablespoon of sugar and a little lemon or lime juice and zest. This is optional, but I really think it adds a little kick. Blend until smooth and pour into separate bowl.

In a separate bowl (I know lots of bowls going on) add a tablespoon of sugar to your 1 and 1/4 cup of yogurt. 

Next pour your mixtures into the popsicle molds, alternating between berries and yogurt. You want to get anywhere between 3 and 5 layers. 

Once all the layers have been added, take a skewer or knife and swirl and mix the layers. 

Place in freezer for several hours until frozen.

I made this recipe and a whim and can honestly say it's the perfect summer treat to escape the heat and all things considered incredibly healthier than ice cream and has the same effect. The Everyday Food recipe estimates that each of these bars has a measly 56 calories and about 2 grams of fat. When you compare that to a cup of ice cream, the numbers can be as high from 400 calories and 16 grams of fat. 

The frozen yogurt has such a nice cooling effect and the hint of sugar to the berries gives me all the sweet I need (and trust me I have a SWEET tooth). 

I hope you enjoy these as much as I have!!