Summer is finally here, with its long sunny days and evenings that extend, wrapping us in a warm and pleasant embrace.
During this time of year, our craving for freshness in the kitchen becomes irresistible, and what could be more desirable than a dish that refreshes us, nourishes us without weighing us down, leaving us with a smile of pure lightness?
A bit like my Pasta with Zucchini and Fresh Tuna, a real must for quick and tasty lunches.
Today I want to share with you one of those little culinary joys that perfectly embody the spirit of the good season: a cold and velvety dessert, a true homage to the freshness of the juiciest fruits.
It’s a delicious treat that, like many of the options I love sharing on my blog on this platform, aligns perfectly with a wellness-focused diet philosophy without ever compromising on taste.
If, for example, you’re looking for fresh and complete main courses, the Summer Chicken Salad is one of my most popular recipes.
If, like me, you love to end your meals with a sweet note but without excess, or if you’re always on the hunt for ideas to face the heat with lightness, then this dessert is just for you.
And to continue exploring flavor without worries, I invite you to discover my blog for more summer and light recipes, maybe starting with the classic and refreshing Tuscan Panzanella.
I hope these and many other ideas on my blog inspire you to enjoy summer with joy and lightness!
- Spicy Sweet and Sour Pork Bites: Your Dinner Recipe
- Potato, Green Bean, and Tuna Salad: The Perfect Recipe and 5 Mistakes to Avoid
- Creamy Pasta with Zucchini and Peas: The Light and Quick Summer Recipe
- Tiella Barese: The Original and Definitive Recipe (Rice, Potatoes, and Mussels according to Puglian Tradition)
- Roasted Peppers: All the Rage! Perfect Peeling Trick
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very economical
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 3
- Cooking methods: No-bake
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer, All seasons
- Energy 110.08 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 15.88 (g) of which sugars 12.66 (g)
- Proteins 12.03 (g)
- Fat 0.28 (g) of which saturated 0.01 (g)of which unsaturated 0.17 (g)
- Fibers 2.70 (g)
- Sodium 1.18 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 250 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 13.23 oz 0% fat Greek yogurt
- 1 cup strawberries
- 2.5 oz blackberries
- 2.5 oz raspberries
- 2.5 oz blueberries
- 2 tbsp agave syrup
- A few leaves mint
Tools
- 3 Cups Codax
- 1 Bowl Pyrex
- 3 Spoons HOMQUEN
Steps
Prepare the Sweetened Yogurt: In a large bowl, pour the Greek yogurt.
Add the agave syrup (or erythritol, if you prefer) and mix vigorously with a spoon or a small whisk until you get a smooth and perfectly blended mixture.
Taste and, if necessary, adjust the sweetness according to your personal taste.
Assemble the Cups: Start assembling your cups or transparent glasses, perfect for showing the layers.
Distribute a generous spoonful of sweetened yogurt at the bottom.
Then, create a generous layer with your fresh, colorful berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberry pieces).
Continue alternating layers of yogurt and fruit, until almost filling the glass and creating an inviting visual effect.
Chill and Scent: Finish each cup with a handful of berries on top and a few fresh mint leaves.
The mint will not only add a touch of color but also an unmistakable scent that will enhance the freshness of the dessert.
Place the cups in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving: this will allow the flavors to blend perfectly and the dessert to reach the ideal temperature for a refreshing experience.
Service and Tasting: When ready to serve, take the cups out of the refrigerator.
They are ready to be enjoyed!
Enjoy the creaminess of the yogurt and the burst of berry flavor, a true light and cold delight, ideal for summer days.
Tips, Variations, and Notes for Light Cups
These cups are best enjoyed fresh from the refrigerator.
You can prepare them a few hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap or a lid, for up to 24-36 hours.
Beyond this time, the fresh fruit might start releasing too much water and the yogurt might lose its optimal consistency.
Freezing them is not recommended once assembled, as the consistency of the yogurt and fresh fruit would suffer significantly upon thawing.
To make these cups new each time and adapt them to your tastes or needs, here are some ideas and suggestions:
Fruit Choice: Don’t limit yourself to berries!
You can vary by using seasonal fruit like diced peaches and apricots, kiwi slices, mango, pitted cherries, or grapes.
The important thing is that the fruit is well ripe to ensure natural sweetness and intense flavor.
Sweetness to Taste: The amount of erythritol or agave syrup is indicative.
Always taste the yogurt before assembling the cups and adjust the sweetness based on your preferences and the inherent sweetness of the fruit you’re using.
For a Crunchy Touch: If you want to add a crunchy note, you can add a teaspoon of light granola, chia seeds, unsweetened coconut flakes, or chopped nuts (almonds, hazelnuts) to the layers just before serving, to prevent them from getting too soft.
Alternative Yogurts: If you follow a vegan diet or have dairy intolerances, you can replace Greek yogurt with a dense, unsweetened plant-based yogurt (e.g., soy, coconut, or almond yogurt), always paying attention to labels for added sugars.
Presentation: Using clear glasses or cups is essential to highlight the layers of yogurt and fruit, making the dessert not only tasty but also a feast for the eyes.
Versatile Base Recipe: This is a “base” recipe that lends itself to endless customizations.
Have fun experimenting with spices (a pinch of cinnamon, vanilla), citrus zest (lemon, orange), or herbs different from mint (e.g., basil, rosemary, lemon thyme) to create unique combinations.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cups
Can I use another type of yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?
Yes, you can. For a similar consistency, we recommend a natural whole or low-fat thick yogurt.
If you follow a vegan diet, a dense plant-based yogurt (such as soy, coconut, or almond) unsweetened will work well, just make sure it is thick enough.
How far in advance can I prepare the cups?
The ideal is to prepare them 30 minutes to a few hours before consumption.
You can assemble them the day before, but we recommend not exceeding 24-36 hours, as the fruit might release too much water and the yogurt may lose some of its creaminess.
Can I use frozen instead of fresh fruit?
We advise against using directly thawed frozen fruit for layering, as once thawed, it tends to release a lot of water and might make the dessert watery.
It’s always better to use fresh seasonal fruit for optimal texture and flavor.How can I make the cups more filling?
To increase the satiety value without making it too heavy, you can add a layer of light granola, chia, or flax seeds, or a teaspoon of chopped nuts (like almonds or walnuts) between the yogurt and fruit layers.
Add them just before serving to keep them crunchy.Is it possible to prepare them without sweetener?
Certainly! If the fruit is very ripe and naturally sweet, or if you prefer a less sweet taste, you can completely omit the agave syrup or erythritol.
Taste the natural yogurt and decide based on your preferences.
