There I was, on a Tuesday evening, staring into my fridge like it was a crystal ball, hoping it would suggest something magical to satisfy my sweet tooth. The usual suspects were there—leftover pasta, a lonely carrot, and a couple of eggs. But then, like a beacon of green hope, I spotted two ripe avocados sitting pretty right next to a carton of whole-milk yogurt. An idea struck: Avocado Chocolate Bits Frozen Yogurt. It’s one of those happy accidents in the kitchen where a craving meets culinary curiosity. This frozen treat is creamy, rich, and oh-so-decadent, but it also has a refreshing quality thanks to the avocados. Plus, it’s easier to make than you’d think—promise.
What You’ll Need
You might already have most of these ingredients on hand, which makes this recipe even more tempting to whip up on a whim. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Whole milk – the base of our creamy custard
- Sugar – for that touch of sweetness we all love
- Vanilla extract – to add a hint of fragrant warmth
- Egg yolks – these will thicken our custard beautifully
- Plain whole-milk yogurt – adds tanginess and body
- Firm-ripe avocados – make sure they’re just right, not too mushy, not too firm
- Lemon juice – keeps the avocados from turning brown and adds freshness
- 70% bittersweet chocolate – for those irresistible little bits of chocolatey goodness
- Sweetened condensed milk – for added creaminess and a touch of sweetness
How to Make Avocado Chocolate Bits Frozen Yogurt
- In a medium saucepan, gently heat the whole milk and sugar over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the mixture just comes to a boil, releasing that sweet, warm aroma. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and setting a small metal bowl over it, placing a strainer on top. This will help cool the custard quickly later.
- In a medium bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks. Slowly ladle a bit of the hot milk into the yolks, whisking continuously to prevent curdling. This process is called tempering, and it’s crucial for a smooth custard.
- Pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk. Cook on low-medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, about 4 to 8 minutes.
- Strain the hot mixture into the small bowl over the ice bath, then stir in the yogurt. Whisk the mixture over the ice until it’s completely cool to the touch.
- Scoop out the avocado flesh and blend it in a food processor with the lemon juice and some of the cooled custard. This helps to achieve a smooth, silky texture.
- Combine the avocado mixture with the remaining custard, blending until everything is thick, creamy, and a lovely shade of green.
- Pour the custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Halfway through the churning, fold in the chopped bittersweet chocolate for those luscious bits in every bite.
- Transfer the frozen yogurt to a freezer-safe container and allow it to freeze until solid, at least 4 hours, though overnight is even better.
Cook’s Notes
A few things to keep in mind: when tempering the eggs, don’t rush it. Pour the hot milk slowly and whisk vigorously to prevent those pesky scrambled eggs! If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this—just pour the custard into a shallow dish, freeze, and stir every 30 minutes to break up ice crystals, folding in the chocolate halfway through. In terms of storage, this frozen yogurt keeps well in the freezer for about two weeks, though I doubt it’ll last that long once you taste it.
Make It Your Own
Here are a few ideas to tweak this recipe to your taste or based on what’s in your pantry:
- Nutty Delight: Swap the bittersweet chocolate for a mix of chopped dark chocolate and toasted nuts like pecans or almonds for a crunchy twist.
- Fruit Fusion: Add a swirl of raspberry or strawberry puree during the folding stage for a fruity burst.
- Spice it Up: Mix in a teaspoon of cinnamon or a dash of cayenne pepper to the custard for a surprising kick.
- Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk instead of whole milk and coconut yogurt for a tropical vibe with an avocado base.
If you try this, I’d love to hear how it turns out — drop a comment or tag me! Happy freezing and indulging in this creamy, dreamy dessert. 🍦🥑🍫
Goes Well With
If you want to round out the meal, here’s what I’d pair it with over on meaghanmoineau.com:
Related update: Avocado Chocolate Bits Frozen Yogurt
