I buy the Kirkland brand plain Greek yogurt from Costco.
It’s the cheapest I have found anywhere — about $7 for two 32 ounce containers. The only problem is that it’s the only flavor they sell.
![IMG_1551[1]](https://not-your-average-mom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_15511.jpg)
I usually use it plain for smoothies.
And most of the kids like it with honey in it.
But every once in a while I like to have vanilla. So do the kids.
It’s pretty easy to turn one of those containers into vanilla without adding too many more calories to it, but making it pretty delicious.
All you need is some vanilla extract and a little powdered sugar. I use a little cinnamon too.
But first, one more trick.
Greek yogurt is pretty thick already, but there is always still some liquid in it.
I like to get rid of that.
You can use a colander and a coffee filter to strain the remaining liquid out. The longer you let it sit, the thicker the yogurt will become. If you are really thinking ahead, you can do this the night before.
![IMG_1552[1]](https://not-your-average-mom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_15521.jpg)
Then, for a full 32 oz container, I add:
1 teaspoon vanilla
a little less than a 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
and 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
![IMG_1416[1]](https://not-your-average-mom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_141611.jpg)
Mix well,
and voila!
![IMG_1419[1]](https://not-your-average-mom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_14191.jpg)
It’s super creamy and delicious.
Even the little kids agree.
Number 6 likes his with a little honey added in.
Numbers 5 and 7 like theirs with my awesome homemade granola.
![IMG_1415[1]](https://not-your-average-mom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_14151-e1391308685510.jpg)
In fact, they ask for this for dessert now.
Give it a try!
Vanilla Yogurt
It is really easy to turn plain Greek yogurt into delicious vanilla yogurt!
Ingredients
- 1 32 oz container plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1/8 -1/4 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
-
Combine all ingredients and mix well.
-
Adjust sugar/cinnamon to taste.
-
Add in fruit, honey, granola or eat as is!
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I have a 2 y/o who is a funny eater (I know, he’s the only one in the world, I’m sure). I am going to try this. He is off and on with yogurt. But I’m going to try! thank you!!!
How long can you store it?
could I have your homemade granola recipe please?
Today I bought strawberries and vanilla Greek yogurt to put on top of the cake. At home I made the cake, Then after supper I pulled out the yogurt to put on top of the strawberries and cake. I was so disappointed that it was plain yogurt . Thank you for your simple instructions on how to make turn that yucky plain yogurt into vanilla yogurt and to save tonight’s dessert therefore you saved the night
That’s awesome, Sue!Now I want cake with strawberries and vanilla yogurt
Thanks for the ideas. Don’t throw the liquid that drains from the yogurt away, as it is the whey! Drink it or add it to smoothies for added nutrition (water, protein, potassium & calcium). Cheers!
I just tried this with a batch of yogurt I made yesterday. It was nice and thick when I started, and the ingredients didn’t mix in well when I stirred with a spoon so I went at it with a hand-held blender. Now it’s the consistency of heavy cream. Did I mess it up, or will it thicken up again?
Even if it doesn’t thicken up, it’s not a total loss; it’s still very tasty. The recipe works, but I need to work on my timing!
I don’t know what it is about yogurt and what happens to it when you mix it too much, but it thins out like that if you overbeat it.
The liquid that separates from the yogurt in the container is actually the whey which contains protein and therefore should be mixed back in to the yogurt nutritionally.
It is absolutely correct that to thicken any yogurt you can strain it through coffee filters. But the liquid that comes off contains a good deal of the protein, at least in store-bought yogurts, and according to all of the online research I have done which may or may not be correct.
When I know when I make my homemade yogurt to make it “Greek “style, it is draining the liquid by use of coffee filters that makes it thicker and creamier and thus “Greek” style.
If that liquid is indeed the whey protein, The protein content is so important in yogurt, it makes me wonder how much I am reducing the protein by draining off the liquid??
I would love to have some thoughts about that. Also I have discovered recipes using Madagascar bourbon vanilla paste or liquid. I have tried it and it has an incredible flavor, almost like a really well done Flan!
And for very health-conscious people you can only use honey as your sweetener but also natural maple syrup. It’s also quite good to start with a good vanilla yogurt and then add some very dark chocolate shavings with raspberries or strawberries or just with the dark chocolate shavings.
This might be a good thing to try with picky little ones. Very dark cocoa/chocolate is healthy versus milk chocolate. So it would be a fine ingredient to still serve a healthy snack.
I always enjoy your recipes very much so I really would love your feedback on what I’ve been told about the liquid being so important to the protein content of the yogurt. I don’t mean all of the liquid if you’re making homemade yogurt. I have been told this specifically about store Purchased yogurt that separates from some of the liquid .
The whey contains very little protein — maybe 2 grams per cup as opposed to 20 grams per cup in the yougurt, so it’s a negligible amount.
Adding sugar is like adding poison. DON’T DO IT! Stevia if you must. The whey will preserve it longer giving it a longer shelf life in the fridge, Whey WILL prohibit mold from growing in it. Do what you gotta do I guess!
Are use Truvia almost exclusively. Which of course is made from Stevia.
Great comment!!! Thank you so much.
Thank you so much! I accidentally bought plain yogurt and was DEVASTATED as we’re in quarantine. No way I could waste it and really was looking forward to vanilla yogurt for dessert during this time. This recipe saved the day! Thank you!
My kids wouldn’t eat it. I think I should’ve tried it without the cinnamon. I thought it tasted a little weird too. But that’s our preference not the recipe. I just wish I didn’t do it on a whole container of yogurt.
Aw, well I’m sorry to hear this Jill!
If you want to do 8 tablespoons of yogurt what would the ratio be?
I’d divide everything by about 4.
Sooooo good!!
I used your recipe and added maple syrup… ‘They were licking the bowls’ I think is the proper phrase! Thank you!