Simple Strawberry Yogurt Clusters

Growing up, my idea of a sweet treat was always store-bought candy or cookies. My mom wasn’t much for making desserts from scratch, and when she did try, things usually ended up a bit… well, let’s just say we kept the local bakery in business.

That’s why I love sharing recipes like these strawberry yogurt clusters. They’re the kind of treat that proves you don’t need to be a master baker or spend hours in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients and some basic steps, you can make something that tastes way better than anything from the candy aisle.

strawberry yogurt clusters
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Why You’ll Love These Strawberry Yogurt Clusters

  • Healthy snacking – These clusters combine protein-rich Greek yogurt with fresh strawberries for a better-for-you treat that satisfies sweet cravings.
  • 5-ingredient recipe – You only need a handful of simple ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store.
  • Make-ahead friendly – These clusters can be stored in the freezer, making them perfect for meal prep or whenever you need a quick sweet fix.
  • No baking required – Just mix, dip, and freeze – no need to turn on the oven or deal with complicated cooking techniques.

What Kind of Strawberries Should I Use?

Fresh strawberries are your best bet for these yogurt clusters, though frozen ones can work in a pinch if you thaw and drain them well first. When shopping for fresh strawberries, look for bright red berries that are firm but not hard, with no white or green patches and fresh-looking green caps. The smaller strawberries often pack more flavor than the jumbo ones, even though those big ones might look more impressive at the store. Just make sure to give them a good wash and pat them completely dry before chopping – any extra moisture can make your clusters too runny.

strawberry yogurt clusters
Image: alrightwithme.com / All Rights reserved

Options for Substitutions

This simple recipe can be customized with several easy swaps:

  • Greek yogurt: Regular plain yogurt works too, but strain it first using a cheesecloth for 1-2 hours to remove excess liquid. You can also use dairy-free coconut or almond yogurt alternatives.
  • Strawberries: Feel free to swap strawberries with other berries like raspberries or blueberries. Just make sure to chop them small and pat them dry to prevent excess moisture.
  • Semisweet chocolate chips: Any chocolate chips work here – try milk chocolate for a sweeter taste or dark chocolate for less sugar. White chocolate is another good option, though it will make the clusters sweeter.
  • Coconut oil: You can replace coconut oil with shortening or any neutral-flavored oil that’s solid at room temperature. This helps the chocolate set properly.
  • Vanilla essence: Vanilla extract works the same way, or try almond extract for a different flavor profile. You can even skip it if you don’t have any on hand.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making strawberry yogurt clusters is dealing with excess moisture from the strawberries, which can make your clusters too runny – be sure to pat the chopped strawberries thoroughly with paper towels before mixing them with yogurt.

Temperature control is crucial: if your melted chocolate is too hot when you add it to the yogurt mixture, it will cause the yogurt to separate and become grainy, so let the chocolate cool for 2-3 minutes after melting before combining.

When freezing the clusters, make sure they’re not touching each other on the baking sheet, and give them at least 2 hours to set completely – rushing this step will result in clusters that fall apart easily.

For the smoothest chocolate coating, don’t skip the coconut oil as it helps create the perfect consistency and prevents the chocolate from becoming too thick or clumpy when it sets.

strawberry yogurt clusters
Image: alrightwithme.com / All Rights reserved

What to Serve With Strawberry Yogurt Clusters?

These sweet and tangy strawberry yogurt clusters make a perfect snack on their own, but they’re even better as part of a fun snack board or dessert spread! I love setting these out alongside fresh fruit like raspberries, blueberries, or sliced bananas to create a colorful treat platter. They’re also great paired with a warm cup of coffee or tea for an afternoon pick-me-up. If you’re serving these as dessert, try adding them to a scoop of vanilla ice cream or arranging them on a plate with some whipped cream for dipping.

Storage Instructions

Keep Cold: These yogurt clusters need to stay cold to maintain their shape and texture. Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days. I like to place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together.

Freeze: These treats are perfect for freezing! Place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. They’re actually really good eaten straight from the freezer – like little frozen chocolate-covered strawberry bites!

Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen clusters, let them sit in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. I don’t recommend leaving them at room temperature for too long, as the yogurt can get too soft and messy.

Preparation Time 15-20 minutes
Cooking Time 30-45 minutes
Total Time 45-65 minutes
Level of Difficulty Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

  • Calories: 1200-1300
  • Protein: 20-25 g
  • Fat: 70-80 g
  • Carbohydrates: 150-160 g

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chopped strawberries (remove stems)
  • 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2 teaspoons coconut oil

Step 1: Prepare Baking Sheet and Strawberries

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.

Then, take your diced strawberries and place them into a large bowl.

Step 2: Coat Strawberries with Yogurt

Add Greek yogurt and vanilla extract to the bowl with the diced strawberries.

Stir until all the berries are well coated in the yogurt mixture.

Step 3: Form Strawberry-Yogurt Clusters

Using a scoop or spoon, place the strawberry-yogurt mixture onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.

Each “cluster” should be about 2 tablespoons worth.

Ensure you leave some space between each cluster.

The recipe should yield approximately 8 clusters.

Step 4: Freeze the Clusters

Transfer the baking sheet with the clusters to the freezer.

Set a timer for 30-45 minutes.

This will allow the yogurt clusters to freeze together, becoming firm but not too hard to eat.

Step 5: Melt Chocolate for Coating

With about 10 minutes left on the timer, place chocolate chips in a small bowl along with the coconut oil.

Melt the mixture in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between increments, until the chocolate is smooth and glossy.

Step 6: Coat Clusters with Chocolate

Remove the frozen clusters from the freezer.

Using a large spoon, quickly dip each cluster into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated.

Place the chocolate-covered clusters back onto the baking sheet.

Continue until all clusters are coated.

Step 7: Harden and Serve

Allow the clusters to sit for a few minutes.

The chocolate will harden into a delicious shell.

Once the chocolate is set, your strawberry-yogurt clusters are ready to be served and enjoyed!

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