This Caramelised Yoghurt Cream deserves a place on any dessert table. For a start, the ease and simplicity of its preparation make it very attractive. There are just three ingredients and there is no cooking. Do I have your attention by now? When I first tried this recipe many years ago, I was sceptical that the end result would amount to much. I was wrong! This is a delicious dessert, and the fact that it is so easy to prepare makes it a winner.
Despite the ease of preparation, this is not a whip-it-up at the last moment recipe.
You do need to plan for this dessert as the yoghurt is first strained overnight, or for a minimum of 6 hours. I prefer to use Greek yoghurt as it is deliciously rich and creamy. Greek yoghurt differs from regular yoghurt in that it has already been strained to remove some of the whey.
After straining the yoghurt, I add some whipped cream and gently fold the two together. I then turn the mixture into a serving bowl and top with light brown sugar. After a short time, the acidity in the yoghurt causes the brown sugar to melt, forming a delicious, caramel flavoured topping.
I don’t even think of this dish with the negative connotation that the word “dessert” sometimes evokes. The main ingredient, being yoghurt, almost allows me to feel that it is a health food, and I generally serve it with fruit, so that’s a good thing too, right? The yoghurt becomes slightly decadent by the addition of whipped cream. Or perhaps the whipped cream becomes healthier with the addition of yoghurt? Hmmm. Food for thought.
There are many ways in which to serve this delicious yoghurt cream.
I frequently serve it with berries. It is also delicious served with a slice of cake, grilled figs, poached peaches, apricots, or my Brandied Oranges. In fact, you could almost serve it any time you would serve whipped cream.
I think you will like this quickly and easily made recipe. Please let me know in the comments below if you do.
Alex xx
Caramelised Yoghurt Cream
Ingredients
- 1 kg full-fat Greek yoghurt
- 200 ml thickened cream *
- 4 tbsp soft brown sugar
Instructions
- Line a fine-meshed sieve with dampened cheesecloth*. Place the sieve over a medium-sized bowl.Turn the yoghurt into the cheesecloth. Fold over the edges of the cheesecloth to cover the yoghurt.Place the bowl, sieve and yoghurt into the refrigerator and strain for a minimum of 6 hours.*
- Turn the strained yoghurt into a medium-sized bowl*.Using hand-held electric beaters or a whisk, whip the cream to soft peaks*.
- Using a large rubber spatula or a large spoon, gently fold 1/3 of the cream through the yoghurt to slacken it a little. This makes it easier to fold in the remaining cream.Fold through another 1/3 of the cream, and then the final 1/3.
- Place the combined cream and yoghurt into a wide, shallow bowl or into individual serving bowls.*
- Smooth the top as evenly as possible and sprinkle generously with soft brown sugar, covering the yoghurt and cream mixture as much as possible. Add more sugar if necessary.Place the bowl in the refrigerator.
- The sugar will take about 2 hours to completely melt.Serve the yoghurt cream with berries, poached fruit, grilled figs or alongside a plain cake.
Notes
*The Australian tablespoon is 20ml (4 tsps). In many other countries, a tablespoon is 15ml.
The amount of sugar required will depend on the diameter of the bowl that you use. It is important to use a wide, shallow bowl to have as much caramelised surface as possible.
*On occasion, when I don’t have cheesecloth, I have used a clean, white linen, table napkin.
*I generally set the strained yoghurt, whilst still in the sieve, aside and drain the whey from the bowl. Then, to save washing up, I turn the strained yoghurt back into the same bowl.
*You can drink the whey instead of discarding it, it is full of probiotics. If you find the flavour not to your taste, add it to a smoothie, use it when making pancakes or as part of a marinade for chicken or meat.
*Do not over whip the cream. Just whip to gentle, soft peaks. If it’s too stiff it will be difficult to fold into the yoghurt.
*When folding one ingredient into another, you want to avoid knocking out too much air. I like to use a large rubber spatula but a large metal spoon is also ideal. The lighter mixture, in this case cream, is added to the heavier mixture. I start by adding 1/3 of the cream to slacken the yoghurt. Run the spatula, or spoon, around the side of the bowl and then along the base. Fold the mixture over onto itself. Give the bowl a quarter turn and repeat the technique until the cream is folded in. Fold in the remaining 2/3 of the cream, repeating the method for folding, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Delicious! In South Africa, we prepare this dish with sliced fresh mango and pour the yoghurt/cream mixture over that. I haven’t ever strained the yoghurt but the sugar has still caramelised on top of the dish.
Hello Philippa, thank you for your feedback on the Caramelised Yoghurt Cream. What a great idea to include some fresh mango. 🙂
I have been making it for years, with black currants in the bottom, never straining the yoghurt, but will do so from now. Can the dessert be frozen. I am left with the ingredient and my husband has been admitted to hospital for a week or so.
Hello Kirsten,
I haven’t tried freezing this, but I wouldn’t be confident how it would turn out – yoghurt can separate when frozen, and I would worry the texture and consistency of the dessert would change.
All the best to your husband! Kind regards, Alex
Hi, my Grannie used to do this all the time with stewed rhubarb underneath. I tried the other day and the sugar melted but it didn’t go crispy/caramelise. Is there a trick to this? Might it be because I didn’t strain the Greek yoghurt I used?
Hi Jemima, yes, it is important to drain the yoghurt for this recipe but as the sugar dissolves the topping really is more caramelised than crispy. Best wishes, Alex.
Wow, this is such a simple, easy yet decadent dessert. Caramelizing sugar on top of yogurt just by refrigerating is a great idea. Such a yummy dish.
I am so pleased you enjoyed this, Pavani – thank you for letting me know!
Hi Alexandra,
I loved this recipe! I had some yogurt in the fridge I wanted to use up and decided to try this out. It tasted even better than I had hoped! I topped it with fresh figs since they’re in season right now and the combination of figs and brown sugar was incredible! Thanks so much!
Hi Elaine, topping the Yoghurt Cream with fresh figs would be amazing; such a brilliant combination. I can well imagine that you enjoyed it, thanks for letting me know. 🙂
This is delicious and so simple to make!
Thank you, Kathryn!
I topped this simple, tasty dessert with fresh berries and everyone loved it!
That is great to hear, Angela! Thanks so much for letting me know 🙂
This is incredible! We love anything caramel flavoured for dessert, and this was so good and simple!
Hi Jacque, I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Caramelised Yoghurt Cream. Thank you so much for letting me know. 🙂
This is so yummy and delicious! I can’t wait to make this again! My kids love it!
So pleased to hear that, Beth, thank you for letting us know!