Re-Creating Those Frozen Smoothie Mixes

During a recent frozen foods sale, I got some Yoplait Smoothies for quite cheap. Cheaper than I could find them on a regular basis, which was frustrating since we LOVED them. (And especially since our newly cleared clutter area allows us to get to the food processor easily!)

I’ve always loved smoothies. I’ve even tried to make them before, but they never turned out the way I wanted them to taste. So, I analyzed the frozen pre-packaged variety to try to determine why theirs was so much better than mine.

Theirs contains little frozen cubes of yogurt. No ice is required. You just add milk and blend. In the past mine were always watery from the ice I would add, or not cold enough because I would try just using frozen fruit with yogurt from the fridge.

So we spooned plain vanilla yogurt (2.38 at Walmart for the big carton) into ice cube trays (1.30 or so for a set of three) and covered the trays with foil and put them in the freezer.

Then we sliced some ripe bananas and froze them in a glass pan.

I purchased a bag of frozen strawberries (around 2.00 at Walmart, I think).
I tried to keep the proportions similar to the pre-bagged variety, and used 4 cubes of yogurt, about 10-12 banana slices, 5-6 frozen strawberries, and one cup of milk. I blended them in my food processor, and it turned out great!

According to my 6 year old, it wasn’t exactly the same, but it was DELICIOUS!
This is enough for three of these small ramekin bowls, plus everyone gets an extra small dip when their bowl is empty. I took this picture after it had melted a little, so it was a bit more frozen looking initially.
By the way, slicing the bananas and spooning the yogurt into the ice trays are both perfect jobs for a 6 year old!
I’m currently out of freezer bags, but I think that I could package these up in quart sized bags and have them ready to go. And since it’s all frozen, the bags could be reused when we make more!
I’m linking this up to Tip Tuesday at Tip Junkie, Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, and Works for Me Wednesday at We Are That Family.

I’m also linking this up at Kelly’s Korner for her dessert link-up

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Comments

  1. Denise says:

    I love smoothies, this looks so good :)

  2. Family Style School says:

    Wow! That sounds great, I will be giving this a try.

  3. Christa says:

    I learned this trick by accident when making bulk homemade baby food…if you put the cold yogurt in a zip-loc type bag and then cut off a corner, it is super easy to squeeze the yogurt into ice cube trays and a lot less messy than spooning it.

  4. Nony (A Slob Comes Clean) says:

    Love the ziploc idea. I will say that the pic is actually of the one my 6yo did, and mine was a little neater.

  5. JoDi says:

    Sounds delicious! Definitely going to try it – thanks for sharing!

  6. Lenetta @ Nettacow says:

    Sounds yummy – and easy. I like that a lot! :>)

  7. Amy @ peppertowne.com says:

    Looks delicious, I love smoothies and they're so healthy.

  8. Anonymous says:

    I having a smoothie for breakfast. First time, I now am slow to do things. I just want you to know that I still read you but like today I had a whole week to read. Been busy around here with kids on spring break, couple of events are coming up one planning for at least 125 people, another catering another event at least 50 people, and looking for a job where jobs don't exist. Maybe next week will go back to normal as normal can get.

  9. jen says:

    Also you can sneak spinach into them and know one will notice!

  10. Nony (A Slob Comes Clean) says:

    Fresh spinach? I may have to try that. It scares me a little, but at least I know hubby would drink it if no one else (including me) would.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Yep, fresh or frozen spinach, you can even purée it and make ice cubes to use. My family didn't even notice the addition of spinach. I am going to try the yogurt cubes. I make ice cubes out of left over smothies to use as a real quick smoothie. We also change the flavor by adding orange juice or apple juice instead of milk.

  12. Chauny says:

    Just gave you the thumbs up on stumble upon for this post. great blog keep it going

  13. Chauny says:

    Please check out my blog at http://wealthywahm.com I am giving away a free eBook to all mom bloggers for mothers day.

  14. Anonymous says:

    I've gotta try this b/c the smoothies I've made in the past just didn't come out as well as ones you buy. I am addicted to the Mango smoothie from Jack In The Box and I think they have the very best mango ones of any other fast food places and even at some good restaurants! The big one's four bucks though so I'd love to be able to make my own. Can't wait to try them. Also I found some mango ones at Big Lots and figured they'd make me hurl but they were dang good! They were sooooo cheap, too and in small cups like the Jello-pudding size cups you can buy. Only problem: We live 1.5 hours drive from the nearest Big Lots! lol-so I won't be buying many of those. If they have them next time I get to go over there, I'll buy every one they have, though!!

    Can't wait to try your smoothie recipe and like the comment about adding apple juice or orange juice to some of them but would NEVER use them on a mango one-it has to be pure mango for me to love it! :)
    Blessings!!
    **Your children are about the cutest things ever!! Just adorable!! :)
    * I post anonymous b/c I don't have a blog and barely have time to read them. Read Kelly'sKorner all the time though. Love her and love her blog. Only read a few more b/c of lack of time, though, but love the ones I do read!! Adding yours now! Really a great blog! :)

  15. Debbie says:

    We make smoothies a lot here but never thought of freezing the yogurt cubes. That is a great idea! I always put bananas in the freezer but I usually just put them in a freezer bag and squish, then freeze, then break off what we need but I like the idea of cutting the slices and freezing.
    We also add just a tiny splash of orange juice (it will take over the flavors) and vanilla extract or a pinch of sugar too. Thanks for the great ideas!

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