A while back, I was asked if I had any good tricks or tips to making frozen yogurt, specifically how to make pumpkin frozen yogurt taste creamy and delicious.
Excited and intrigued by the challenge, I got started on trying to put together a great pumpkin frozen yogurt recipe. Because I like food and pumpkins and frozen yogurt and I especially like challenges.
Now, I don't know about you, but pumpkin frozen yogurt sounded delicious to me. I had never tried anything like it. Plus, it sounded like a great recipe to add to the fall holiday dessert repertoire.
And, to make this even more awesome, I decided to make this frozen yogurt to be clean-eating, gluten-free, and healthy.
I used pure maple syrup to sweeten the full fat greek yogurt and fresh pumpkin puree and to give a nice depth of flavor from the natural sweetness.
In the process, I learned just how flipping easy making your own maple candied pecans is. You just need ½ cup chopped raw pecans, a tablespoon of pure maple syrup, and about 8 minutes. Simple perfection.
I thought sprinkling some chopped candied pecans over the frozen yogurt would add a good crunch and contrast of flavor.
People, I thought right!
This frozen yogurt turned out to be rich and creamy with almost a pumpkin cheesecake flavor. I know: YUM, right?
I had no idea how easy pumpkin frozen yogurt is to make. It literally goes like this: mix ingredients, add to ice cream maker, and freeze.
Mmm.
Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt with Roasted Pecans
Equipment
*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
Ingredients
- 2 cups full fat greek yogurt ¾ quart
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ⅓ cup plus 1 tbsp. pure maple syrup divided
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup raw pecans
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, pumpkin puree, pure maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and let run for about 30 minutes. (See notes for no ice cream maker).
- Once the mixture has reached the consistency of soft serve ice cream, transfer to a freezer safe container and freeze for about 3 hours to let it solidify. If you like soft serve style, it’s good to go, but I like my frozen yogurt a little more frozen.
- While the yogurt is in the freezer, make the candied pecans for a topping.
- Heat a pan over medium heat, add the chopped pecans and 1 tbsp. maple syrup.
- Stir the pecans pretty constantly and you’ll start to see the maple syrup crystallize and coat the pecans in a sugary coating. This should take about 5 minutes.
- To serve, top your delicious pumpkin frozen yogurt with the candied pecans.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This post contains affiliate links for products I regularly use and highly recommend.
Dustin
Is it wrong that I miss pumpkin season already. lol.
Miss Brown Eyes
Hi Lacey --
Well I can't remember exactly how the sweet potato went. It was good, but not as good as the pumpkin. I don't think the applesauce worked.
Since the last I've posted, i've tried strawberry rhubarb, cherry vanilla, and I've got a batch of green tea peach on tap for tomorrow. Thanks again for a great post. You've made a small family of 3 converts to FY!
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Good to hear, Miss Brown Eyes. Good to hear! 🙂 LOVE the green tea peach frozen yogurt combo -- sounds fabulous! Thanks for the update!
MissBrownEyes
I have a supercheap $25.00 ice cream maker that works wonders... FYI
I tried this recipe and LOVE IT. we're ice cream fanatics, never had frozen yogurt at home. I only had plain yogurt, so had to do some serious "doctoring" to fix up to a reasonably spiced/sweet yogurt base. Added a touch of cream just to give it a bit of creaminess (again the fear of ice cream vs yogurt). Pre-hardened frozen yogurt was amazing and can't wait for the finished product. being served Thanksgiving day as a bit lighter option to the cheesecake and pecan pie.
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Hello, MissBrownEyes! Thanks for sharing. I hope you enjoy the frozen yogurt for Thanksgiving. Sounds delish! 🙂
MissBrownEyes
Hi Lacey --
It was a complete hit. Usually on subsquent rounds of Thanksgiving dinner, it's the savory foods that get just as much action as the desserts. Not this case. Cheesecake -- ignored. Pecan pie -- a few takers. Pumpkin frozen yogurt -- GONE. I forgot to mention -- no nuts added -- forgot to make them and used more pumpkin (nearly the whole 15 oz can)
lacey - a sweet pea chef
That is SO cool!!! Thanks for sharing. I'm so happy everyone liked the frozen yogurt 🙂
MissBrownEyes
I like your base here so much, that I'm planning on trying it without the pumpkin and putting in some sweet potato & applesauce puree next time I make frozen yogurt, which is apparently sooner than later!
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Oooh, MissBrownEyes, that's sounds very interesting. I'd love to know how it turns out for you.
evan
lacey, how much does your pumpkin frozen yogurt recipe yield? I only have a 1 1/2 qt ice cream maker. Just prepped the ingredients to chill but looks like combined they are about about 1 1/2 quarts wet. Here's hoping I don't have frozen yogurt oozing out of my machine 🙂
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Hi Evan! I'm sorry, I haven't measured exactly how much this recipe yields. I would guess not much more that 1 1/2 quarts -- if even that much. I hope you didn't overflow your maker.
Lauren
I am all about pumpkin this season, and this recipe is going straight to the top of my list! I'll have to reserve a bit of my pumpkin pie white chocolate cups to crumble on top in addition to the toasted pecans :).
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Lauren, your pumpkin pie white chocolate cups sound amazing! I hope you like the frozen yogurt.
Tara
This is me pitching a fit because I don't have an ice cream maker....*WAHHHH* That looks so delicious!!!
lacey - a sweet pea chef
You're hilarious, Tara! I have actually heard you can make frozen yogurt without an ice cream maker and it turns out well. All you have to do is freeze the prepared yogurt for 30-60 minute intervals and blend in a blender in between each time until you reach the desired consistency. A little extra work, but may save a tantrum 🙂
Tara
In that case...I might have to give it a try! I still have an ice cream maker on my wish list, though. 😉
lacey - a sweet pea chef
I don't blame you -- I use my ice cream maker ALL the time. I hope you get your wish soon! If you try it out, I'd love to know the outcome 🙂
Lee
Saw the "alternative" method (I also do not have an ice cream maker) and was thrilled to know I can make the pumpkin frozen yogurt without one. Thanks!!
lacey - a sweet pea chef
I hope it works out for you, Lee. Please feel free to share how the alternative method goes for you!