Blood Orangesicle Frozen Yogurt

Childhood nostalgia often inspires my dessert creations.  Orangesicle, dreamsicle and creamsicle flavors overwhelm my memory when I see an ice cream truck passing by during the summer.  I remember ordering these popsicles and instantly smile as flashbacks of double dutch, hide-and-seek and ice cream come flooding back. 

My imagination could not wait to create an orangesicle inspired dessert.  However, my true challenge was making it a healthy and light recipe that grown-ups could appreciate.  This frozen yogurt recipe ended up knocking that challenge out of the ballpark.  After, I found these gorgeous blood oranges at Whole Foods Market, which are in season now, there was no turning back.

If you are on a diet or striving for an overall healthier lifestyle, you don't need to say no to dessert.  And as an adult, you don't need to say no to fun!  This recipe is simple to prepare (literally takes minutes to prep), quick to throw together (only four ingredients), fun to make (swirled ice cream always makes me beam) and absolutely soul satisfying without the guilt.  I knew it would be perfect to share with Yahoo! Shine Supper Club whose January theme is healthy recipes.

So try this recipe tonight.  It feels like a whimsical walk down memory lane that also does a body good.

Blood Orangesicle Frozen Yogurt

Ingredients
For the Vanilla Frozen Yogurt
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or a thick yogurt of your choice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 1/2-4 tablespoons honey

For the Blood Orange Frozen Yogurt
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or a thick yogurt of your choice
3/4 cup fresh blood orange juice (about 6-8 blood oranges)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 tablespoons of honey (or more if oranges are bitter)

Directions
Juice blood oranges and set juice aside. 

To make vanilla frozen yogurt, whisk together yogurt, vanilla extract and honey until smooth and well combined in a medium sized bowl.  Pour vanilla yogurt mixture into your ice cream machine and allow to churn according to your manufacturer's instructions.

While vanilla yogurt mixture is churning, prepare the blood orange frozen yogurt mixture.  Mix remaining yogurt, blood orange juice, vanilla extract and honey until well combined.  

Once vanilla frozen yogurt is finished churning (the mixture consistency should resemble frozen yogurt and takes approximately 15 minutes), remove yogurt from machine and place in a small container in the freezer.  Next, add blood orange yogurt mixture to ice cream machine and churn.  

Once blood orange yogurt is finished churning (takes approximately 20-25 minutes), remove vanilla frozen yogurt from freezer.  Alternately scoop vanilla and blood orange frozen yogurt into a separate freezer safe container and freeze until ready to serve.