In hot weather, your kids probably want to cool down with an ice cream or an ice lolly. But you may not want to give them one every day so we've got a healthy suggestion that's just as tasty! Even better, you can make it yourself and add different toppings and flavours so it's perfectly tailored to your little one's tastes.
We're talking about Yoghurt Bark. This incredibly simple, utterly delicious frozen treat is easy to make, perfect for cooling off in summer and can also be great for teething babies and toddlers, helping soothe their gums. Just be sure that the pieces are the right size for little ones.
Even better? You can get the kids involved too as a summer activity and they can personalise their yoghurt bark with their own toppings. Make a few in advance and keep them in the freezer so you'll always have a batch on hand for that inevitable summer holiday cry... "Can I have a snack?"
Read on to discover everything you need to make yoghurt bark and the ultimate yoghurt bark recipe to make on repeat this summer.
What do you need to make Yoghurt Bark?
This yoghurt bark recipe is so simple, you only need a handful of ingredients and you can tailor them to your own needs and tastes.
Yoghurt
This can be any kind of yoghurt you like. Full-fat Greek yogurt will create a thicker, richer frozen yoghurt bark but plain yoghurt and even low-fat will work just as well. If your kids like flavoured yogurt, why not experiment with sweetened or flavoured yoghurts and see what fruit and topping combinations work! You could also use coconut yoghurt, kefir or soya, depending on your preference.
Sweetener
If you're trying to keep it healthy you might want to avoid the sweetener but if you're using plain or Greek yoghurt, kids may probably prefer it with a spot of honey, vanilla essence or maple syrup. Just remember that if you're using honey, don't give it to babies under 1 year old.
Toppings
This can be anything you want... raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, and banana all work well. You could addd nuts like pistachios, coconut flakes or almonds (just remember to chop them small to avoid creating a choking risk) or granola for a bit of extra crunch (some granola contains honey so check these before giving it to tots under 1 year old). Or as an extra treat, a handful of chocolate chips is sure to go down well with kids!
Yoghurt Bark recipe
This yoghurt bark recipe couldn't be more simple. It's just three steps and you'll have delicious frozen yoghurt bark. Of course, you'll have to practise a little patience while you wait for it to freeze!
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Line your baking tray with greaseproof paper or aluminium foil. Mix the yoghurt with your choice of sweetener if using and spread it over the tray in an even layer.
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Add your chosen toppings evenly over the yoghurt then pop in the freezer. Yoghurt takes around 2-3 hours to freeze, or until it's solid.
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Carefully peel away the paper, then break the yoghurt into pieces that are the right size for your little one and place in a freezer bag. The frozen yoghurt bark can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.
And there you have it, a simple, customisable recipe that you can make your own and adapt to suit your kids' tastes. Make a batch today and you'll never be short of an answer when they say "can I have a snack...?"
Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on ten years of parenting her two children to help others navigating their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.