What Is Vanilla yogurt and How Can I Use It?

If vanilla yogurt has turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use it with confidence and how to choose it, cook it, store it, what to substitute, and 50 recipes to try it in.

What is vanilla yogurt?

Vanilla yogurt is plain yogurt sweetened and flavored with vanilla. It is the mildest of the flavored yogurts, creamy and lightly sweet, which makes it an easy choice for snacking and a simple swap into desserts.

That gentle flavor is why it slides into so much baking and blending. Spoon it into a Blueberry Parfait, blend it into a smoothie, or fold it into a lighter cake like Low Fat Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake.

Watch the sugar

The one thing to check is the sugar. Vanilla yogurt can carry as much added sugar as a dessert, so it is sweeter than it tastes and will push a recipe sweet if you are not counting it.

For an unsweetened base, stir your own vanilla and a little honey into plain yogurt and you control the sugar. For the wider sweetened category, see yogurt, flavored.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Food group: Vanilla yogurt is a member of the Dairy and Egg Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

香草酸奶

British (UK) term

Vanilla yogurt

en français

yogourt à la vanille

en español

yogur de vainilla

How much does vanilla yogurt weigh?

Related

Dairy and Egg Products

Recipes using vanilla yogurt

There are 50 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Strawberry & Chocolate Wafer Popsicles

These delicious strawberry and chocolate wafer popsicles will be sure to cool you down on a hot summer day.

Awesome Ginger Spice Waffles

Gingerbread-style waffles with molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, half whole-wheat flour for body. Topped with vanilla yogurt and bright fruit, they taste like holiday morning.

Strawberry & Oreo Popsicles

Fresh and local strawberries are in season now, try these popsicles that are made with fresh strawberries, oreo cookies and creamy vanilla yogurt. They are light and delicious, great frozen treats at a hot summer day.

Blueberry Parfait

You can use blueberry, or other your favorite frutis to make this parfait, or a fruits combination, they are good too. Enjoy it!

Almond Cherry Bundt Cake

Vanilla yogurt makes the cake tangy and moist, homemade cherry filling that has strong cherry taste adds extra layer of deliciousness. By using whole wheat flour and canola oil add some fibre and cut down the saturated fat without taking away any yumminess. Enjoy a slice or two with a cup of coffee or tea.

Low Fat Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake

This shortcake is delicious, full of chocolate flavor, instead of whipping cream, we use drained low-fat vanilla yogurt, creates the same texture, but much lower in fat and calories, enjoy this tasty dessert!!

Buttermilk Custard Vanilla Frozen Yogurt

A rich vanilla frozen yogurt. The rich custard taste and mouth feel come from the egg yolks with a smooth vanilla flavor from the vanilla bean.

Orange Loaf Cake (Pound Cake)

Because it is made with light margarine spread instead of traditional butter, this dense pound cake is rich and buttery-tasting, but better for you. Top the cake with a drizzle of orange icing.

Whole Wheat & Quinoa Pancakes

Quinoa is getting more and more popular because it's rich in protein and fiber, and it's versatile to cook. This recipe uses both whole wheat flour and quinoa flour to give the pancakes extra protein and fiber, they are delicious as well. Use fruit sauce, jam or fresh fruits as topping, an ideal breakfast to start the day.

Yogurt Banambrosia

Sliced bananas, crisp apples, juicy oranges, crushed pineapple, and green grapes folded into creamy vanilla yogurt. A lighter spin on classic ambrosia that's ready in minutes and feeds a crowd.

Candy Malt Shoppe Pie

A frozen no-bake pie with crushed malted milk balls folded into vanilla yogurt and whipped cream on a graham cracker crust. Nostalgic malt shop vibes in every creamy, crunchy slice.

Yogurt & Fruit Parfaits

Very nice and easy, I made it for my kids, once I finished it, my husband and I we both loved it too, so it is a really good.

Pumpkin Raisin Cake

Low-fat pumpkin raisin cake made with egg whites, no butter, and pumpkin pie spice. Served with a strained yogurt cream sauce for a lighter fall dessert.

Banana Sour Cream Cake

Lower-fat banana cake with pureed prunes replacing most of the butter, nonfat vanilla yogurt, and egg whites. A moist sheet cake that cuts the fat without losing flavor.

Summer-Speedy Rice Pudding

Speedy no-fuss rice pudding made with vanilla yogurt instead of slow-simmered custard, sweetened with honey and cinnamon, then layered with fresh summer berries and peaches. A light, chilled dessert.

Fruity Yogurt Cheesecake

Fruity yogurt cheesecake strains vanilla yogurt into thick "cheese" for a no-bake filling. Graham cracker crust topped with peaches, apricot glaze, and fresh raspberries.

Grilled Peach Sundaes

Grilled peach, maybe first time to hear grill a fruit, but it really works very well, especially with sundaes. Very yummy.

Summer Fruit Saute

Quick summer fruit saute with peaches, dark plums, and raspberries in a buttery currant jelly glaze. Served warm over frozen yogurt for a 15-minute seasonal dessert.

Frozen Cinnamon Nut Yogurt

Frozen cinnamon walnut yogurt made with vanilla yogurt, whipping cream, and a pinch of cinnamon. Creamy, tangy, and crunchy, churned in an ice cream maker.

Cinnamon Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce

Cinnamon bread pudding with raisins and a warm whiskey-yogurt sauce. A lighter take on the Southern classic using skim milk and egg whites without losing any comfort.

Chocolate & Banana

Enjoy this very nice bananas with melted chocolate on top.

Chocolate Date Truffles

Chocolate date truffles made with melted milk chocolate chips, crushed vanilla wafers, chopped dates, and vanilla yogurt, rolled in powdered sugar. No-bake holiday candy with chewy date and creamy chocolate in every bite.

Crepes Filled with Poached Peaches

Crepes filled with peaches poached in red wine, raspberry preserves, orange zest, and warm spices. An elegant French dessert using frozen peaches for year-round ease, ready in 25 minutes.

German Chocolate Cookies

German chocolate cookies are a 4-ingredient shortcut bake using German chocolate cake mix, vanilla yogurt, an egg, and a topping of coconut-pecan frosting. Soft, chewy, and ready fast.

Yogurt-Topped Strawberry Pancakes

Strawberry cinnamon pancakes made from buttermilk mix with sliced fresh berries folded into the batter, topped with vanilla yogurt instead of syrup. A lighter weekend breakfast.

Spicy Fruit Salad

Spicy fruit salad with oranges, pears, bananas, grapes, and toasted walnuts tossed in a cinnamon-cardamom yogurt dressing. A fresh, no-cook side or snack.

Upside-Down Apple Tart

Upside-down apple tart with caramelized Golden Delicious apples on a flaky cake-flour crust, finished with a brown sugar yogurt drizzle. A lighter take on classic tarte Tatin.

Gingersnap-Banana Frozen Yogurt

Gingernap, banana, combine yogurt, very tasty, healthy.

Berry Banana Smoothie

Berry banana smoothie blended thick and frosty from frozen banana, mixed berries, orange juice, and a spoonful of vanilla yogurt. A naturally sweet, no-milk breakfast or after-school drink kids love.

Strawberry Maple Shortcake

Rustic drop biscuit shortcakes topped with two quarts of maple syrup-soaked strawberries and frozen vanilla yogurt. A lighter spin on the classic that's ready in 20 minutes.

10 Minute Strawberry with Chocolate Cream

Creamy and tangy vanilla yogurt, some good quality cocoa powder, and pure maple syrup make a delicious yet light chocolate cream. Dip it with fresh strawberries. A quick, easy and delicious way to make a guiltless dessert.

Breakfast Berry & Orange Smoothie

A cup of delicious and nutritious fruity smoothie wakes you up and boost your energy.

Nectarine Yogurt Muffins

Nectarine yogurt muffins are tender summer muffins with chopped fresh nectarine, vanilla yogurt, and brown sugar, topped with sliced almonds. A bright stone fruit breakfast bake for nectarine season.

Fruit Vanilla Yogurt Dip

Fruit vanilla yogurt dip: creamy low-fat vanilla yogurt brightened with orange juice concentrate, lime, and a touch of brown sugar. A quick, healthy four-ingredient dip for apples, pears, and peaches.

Pear-And-Apricot Tart

Pear and apricot tart layers fanned pears and apricot halves over almond paste filling in a buttery almond pastry, then glazes with apple jelly. A bakery-worthy fruit tart for special occasions.

Strawberry & Banana Smoothie

A fresh and tasty fruit snack for when you have no time for a proper meal

Fruit Tacos

Fun fruit tacos filled with strawberries, grapes, apple, and banana, topped with vanilla yogurt and toasted coconut. A kid-friendly snack ready in 25 minutes.

Mango Yogurt Smoothie

Ripe mango chunks blend with vanilla yogurt, honey, and cold milk into a thick, tropical smoothie that tastes like sunshine in a glass. Ready in 10 minutes flat.

Cool Tropical Salad

Fresh pineapple, mango, papaya, and strawberries layered with honey-sweetened vanilla yogurt and served in hollowed pineapple shells. A gorgeous low-fat tropical fruit salad.

Swiss Breakfast Parfait

A no-cook overnight oat parfait layered with vanilla yogurt, crushed pineapple, almonds, and fresh strawberries. Bircher muesli meets meal prep in this grab-and-go breakfast.

10 Minute Fresh Berry Dessert with Yogurt & Chocolate

Next time when you crave something sweet but not too rich, try this recipe. Within 10 minutes you will enjoy a creamy, chocolaty yet light treat.

Low Fat Lemon Pudding Cake

Low fat lemon pudding cake separates as it bakes into a tender sponge top and silky lemon-curd bottom. Light dessert with skim milk and only one tablespoon of fat.

No-Bake Pineapple Cheesecake

No-bake pineapple cheesecake: a lightened version using nonfat cream cheese, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt folded with crushed pineapple, set with gelatin on a graham and Grape-Nuts crust. Creamy tropical dessert without the oven.

Creamy Rhubarb Pie

Custard-style rhubarb pie with a vanilla yogurt filling, warm nutmeg, and a brown sugar pecan crumble topping. Tart rhubarb meets sweet, creamy filling in every slice.

Apple-Cheddar Cheesecake

I was skeptical about savory cheddar cheese in a sweet cheesecake, but I still went on and made the cheesecake. I'm so glad that I did, because it actually tasted delicious.

Fat-Free Pumpkin Raisin Cake

Fat-free pumpkin raisin cake made with egg whites, canned pumpkin, and orange juice instead of oil or butter. Served with a simple yogurt cream sauce.

Incredibly Moist Fresh Apple Cake

Grated Granny Smith apples and warm spices bake into a tender brown-sugar cake, pierced and drenched in a buttery brown-sugar glaze. Walnut crunch and frozen vanilla yogurt finish each slice.

Raspberry Yogurt & Sour Cream Pie

This is a wonderful and light dessert to offer people as a contrast to the heavy holiday meals and desserts normally offered at this time.

Walnut Cake with a Hint of Rosemary

Walnut cake with a whisper of fresh rosemary, served with berries and a lighter vanilla cream made from drained yogurt and whipped cream. A tender Bundt cake that's unexpectedly savory-sweet.

Mascarpone, Raspberry & Pineapple Phyllo Baskets

Italian Mascarpone cheese is used in the dessert a lot, it's creamy, light and tasty, and it is so versatile, you can mix it with various of fruits or jam to create a delicious filling or topping.

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