I came up with my yogurt squares recipe almost four years ago (original post can be found HERE), and since then it became one of my favorite go-to recipes.
Created as a lighter alternative for cheese cake, it is made with yogurt and cornstarch as the main ingredients, making it also gluten free. It is very easy to prepare and makes for a great dessert anytime.
Over time, I’ve made quite a few variations of the original recipe, using other dried fruits instead of the dried apricots, and different nuts instead of the pistachios on top.
Lately, I’ve decided to experiment with using fresh fruits instead of the dried ones. The fresh fruits worked so well with the yogurt, that it got me motivated to try more combinations. The result was the light summery, juicy dessert I was looking for: tangy, refreshing and not overly sweet. The following photos show some of these variations. Try them, or create your own version, and enjoy.
Notes:
* Make sure to use plain thick yogurt, without any stabilizers or other additives.
* For a version with tapioca flour and berries topping, click HERE.
Original recipe: (Posted HERE)
Makes: 20 small squares
Prep time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Chilling time: 2 hours, preferably overnight
Ingredients:
10 dried apricots (see variations below for other suggestions)
½ cup corn starch
3 XL eggs
17.6 oz (500 grams) thick yogurt 2% fat minimum (See notes. I used Fage)
1 Tbs lemon juice
1 Tbs lemon zest
1 tsp vanilla paste
2/3 cup sugar
For the sour cream layer:
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sugar
½ cup roughly chopped raw pistachios
1. Preheat the oven to 320F (160C). Line a 7”x11” (18cm x 28cm) baking pan with baking paper.
2. Cut the apricots into small cubes (easier with scissors), place in a small bowl, add 1 Tbs of the cornstarch. Mix well and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and yogurt. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla and mix. Add the sugar and corn starch and mix until smooth. Add the dried apricots and mix again. Transfer the mixture into the pan. Bake for 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, mix the sour cream with the sugar in a small bowl.
5. Take the pan out of the oven and carefully spread the sour cream mixture over the top of the cake. Scatter the pistachios over and place back in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes.
6. Place the cake over a rack and bring to room temperature, before placing it in the fridge. When the cake is chilled, cover it with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, before cutting.
7. To cut: holding the baking paper, transfer the cake to a large cutting board. With a large, sharp knife, cut into 20 squares. The squares will keep, in an airtight container in the fridge, for up to a week. The versions with fresh fruits will keep for 3-4 days.
Yogurt Squares with Peaches and Cherries
Instead of the dried apricots, place 2 peaches, cut into segments, and 10 cherries, pitted and cut in half, over the baking paper in the pan.
Yogurt Squares with Plums and Golden Raisins
Instead of the dried apricots, mix 5 Damson plums, cut into small cubes and ¼ cup golden raisins with 1 Tbs cornstarch. Pistachios are optional.
Yogurt Squares with Blueberries and Nectarine
Instead of the dried apricots, mix 2 cups fresh blueberries and 1 nectarine, cut into cubes, with 1 Tbs cornstarch. Pistachios are optional.
Yogurt Squares with Cherries and Lime
Instead of the dried apricots, mix 15 cherries, pitted and cut small, with 1 Tbs cornstarch. Use same amounts of lime juice and zest instead of the lemon juice and zest. Scatter more lime zest on top instead of the pistachios.
Sounds really nice Ronit, and nice and light. Great for cheese cake lovers (like me) who don’t want all the calories 🙂👍🏻
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Thank you Myra, I’m glad you liked the recipe. This is precisely what I was trying to achieve. I’m still a big fan of classic cheese cakes, but alas, can’t really have them on a regular basis… 🙂
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Nice recipe
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Thank you! 🙂
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Going to try it tomorow. Looks so good.
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Glad to hear! Hope you’ll enjoy it. נשיקות! 🙂
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Very nice!
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Thank you Angela. 🙂
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omg..Yum!
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Thank you Donna. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Donna Westbrook and commented:
This recipe looks awesome! Follow this blogger for more delicious recipes!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Ronit, you are a genius chef! Your recipes are so unique and always delicious!
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Thank you Annika, for such a nice compliment! 🙂
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Fruits and yogurt !! That’s a great and healthy combo 👌 and a perfect dessert cravings too👌
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Thank you Jyo, I’m glad you liked the recipe. Fruits and yogurt combination is indeed healthy and tasty. Perfect for the summer. 🙂
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Great recipe as you can make it “your own” with the fruit you use. Using yogurt is always a good idea 🙂
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Thank you Judi, I’m glad you liked the recipe. It is indeed so versatile, which is exactly why I use it often. 🙂
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Oh wow. Looks super yummy. Yogurt with fresh fruits, who would say no for that. Thanks for the share. I loved your perfect squares.
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Thank you Malini, I’m glad you liked the recipe. Yogurt with fruit is such a tasty combination! 🙂
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Sounds great, Ronnie!!! Mmm, mouth-watering!! 🙂
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Thank you Aki, I’m glad you liked the recipe. It’s one of my favorites. 🙂
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Wonderful fruit dessert ! Sounds delicious & nutritious !!
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Thank you Megala, I’m glad you liked the recipe. It’s a tasty guilt-free pleasure. 🙂
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Some lovely “topping art” going on there Ronit.
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Thank you Conor, I’m glad you liked the recipe. It’s fun to use seasonal fruits this way. 🙂
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Looks great! Will have to try this soon. I might try the cherry option 🙂
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Thank you, I’m glad to know. Hope you’ll enjoy it. I’ll be happy to have your comments. 🙂
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It’s fun to see all of the Yogurt Squares variations. They all make a beautiful presentations and look tasty.
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Thank you Sheryl, I’m glad you liked the post. It’s quite enjoyable to try a new flavor each time. 🙂
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Wow, I love this. I will give it a try as it looks very delicious and relatively easy too.
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Thank you Zannie, I’m glad you liked the recipe. The squares are indeed easy make, and very tasty. Hope you’ll enjoy them. I’ll be happy to read your comments. 🙂
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This looks heavenly and am sure tasted yum!
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Thank you Nisha, I’m glad you liked the recipe. It was indeed very tasty! 🙂
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Very nice. I’m especially drawn to the blueberry-nectarine variety!
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Thank you Mimi, I’m glad you liked the recipe. I usually like the last flavor I’ve made the best, until the next one… 🙂
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such a great information for blogger i am a professional blogger thanks
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Thank you.
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This looks so scrumptious and I always have yogurt and at least some random fruit!! Love it!!
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That’s pretty much how these came to be… It’s really so easy and so tasty. Highly recommended! 🙂
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This really looks like the perfect summer dessert! These squares look delicious!😍
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Thank you Ursula, I’m glad you liked the recipe. This became my go-to recipe for the summer. So tasty and easy! 🙂
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Wonderful, tasty dessert! Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you Kelly, I’m glad you liked the cake. It turned out so good. I’m glad to share.
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Ummmmm…deliciously delicious!
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Thank you! 🙂
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wow!
excellent desserts!
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Thank you! 🙂
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