Joe-Joe Fro-Yo: Dark Chocolate Frozen Greek Yogurt

If you think that just because this is a dietitian’s blog, that there will be no sugar… you have the wrong idea . This is real life. Dessert is important. We have to stay sane somehow.

I’m of the opinion that we eat desserts for FUN, not for the health benefits – I’m not normally one to whip squash into my brownies, you know? However, this dessert has the added bonus of not destroying my RD credibility, because it is doctored-up Greek yogurt. Take satisfaction in the extra protein and probiotics while you achieve your recommended daily allowance of frozen chocolatey goodness.

I started crafting this recipe after my move to California, to fill the void for a specific regional treat: Publix-brand frozen yogurt. This southeastern supermarket chain has the unique distinction of offering an enormous diversity of low-fat froyo varieties, but my flavor of choice was the strangely named Chocolate Cookie Quarry (chocolate with oreos… beauty in simplicity).

Really, my move was just a kick in the pants to make my own superior version like I should have a long time ago. Although the original was good, it was unnecessarily sweet. And if I’m going to be eating yogurt, why not hand-pick a real, quality product? Why not go Greek!?

When I looked for a baseline recipe for frozen Greek yogurt, I was delighted to find one from a fellow RD. For convenience, I diverged from the recipe and used a single tub of full-fat yogurt, rather than mixing reduced-fat varieties. I was pleased with the texture, and by choosing organic dairy you can count on extra omega-3’s. So do as you please with the fat content, but be advised that using only nonfat yogurt will yield a very icy product.

And finally, I had to mix in the widely beloved Trader Joe’s Joe-Joes. Did I choose these cookies because they’re free of hydrogenated oils and high-fructose corn syrup, or because I’m obnoxious and wanted to say “Joe-Joe Fro-Yo” as many times as possible?

…Honestly, both. Can you blame me? As long as we’re keeping it real, do I need to mention how good this would be with Candy Cane Joe-Joes? It’s time to get in the kitchen.

Joe-Joe Fro-Yo

Adapted from Healthy Food for Living via PreventionRD

3 cups Greek yogurt (full-fat or your choice)

1/2 cup turbinado sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

~14 Joe-Joes, coarsely chopped

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except Joe-Joes, mixing with a rubber spatula. Freeze the mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Note: because the Greek yogurt is already thick, it will be somewhat difficult/messy to spoon the mixture into the machine – just go with it. After the mixture has completed churning, fold in the Joe-Joes and store in an airtight container in the freezer.