Strawberries and Cream Bites

Strawberries and Cream Bites (6 ingredients, no oven)

strawberries and cream is a classic for a reason, and this recipe takes that pairing and turns it into a frozen, no bake dark chocolate bite you're going to want to keep a batch of in your freezer all summer. full disclosure: i originally tested these with white chocolate because i was convinced the dark chocolate would completely ruin the vibe (spoiler alert - it didn't tehe) both versions are great and if you want something that stays truer to the classic strawberries and cream flavour, white chocolate is the one to go for. but i actually prefer these with dark chocolate, the slight bitterness cuts through the sweetness of the strawberry yogurt filling in a way that white chocolate doesn't, and they feel a little more interesting lol. so just know going in that these are inspired by strawberries and cream rather than a straight recreation of it.

traditional strawberries and cream is made with single cream or heavy cream. to recreate that vibe but in a much lighter and healthier way, i developed this recipe with thick greek yogurt. greek yogurt is my preferred choice of dairy product if i am using dairy in a recipe since it has the added boost of healthy bacteria/probiotics and a higher protein content. so you can eat these feeling good that you are also helping your gut microbiome! technically you can substitute the greek yogurt for any other thick yogurt and the recipe will work and be dairy free, however the greek yogurt has the closest flavour to cream.

whenever i am using greek yogurt in baking or no bake treats i love adding in vanilla extract or even better vanilla bean paste whenever i have some on hand. since greek yogurt can be quite bland and sometimes bitter it helps round out the flavour and bring back a touch of sweetness. this is also why we add in the maple syrup, which can be optional depending on your sweet tooth or if you are using a flavoured yogurt.

the strawberry filling is simple but there are a couple of things worth paying attention to. first, taste your strawberries before you mix everything together. strawberries vary a lot in sweetness depending on the season and where you bought them, and a tablespoon of maple syrup is plenty when the strawberries are ripe and sweet. if they're on the tart side you'll want to add more, which is why the recipe gives you flexibility there.

second, there's an optional step where you blend half the yogurt with a tablespoon of the chopped strawberries before mixing it all together. this gives the filling a more even pink colour throughout rather than white yogurt with red strawberry chunks. both versions taste identical but the blended version just looks cuter! so you can completely skip this step for less hassle but if you are a pink lover then you'll appreciate it. on the pink desserts note: check out my strawberry coconut bites for another no bake strawberry dessert that is the prettiest shade of pink!

these strawberry and cream bites are actually based on my mango yogurt bites, which if you haven't tried yet, add them to ur summer no bake dessert list *immediately*. my mango yogurt bites are a staple during heatwaves and since the recipe always goes viral i knew i had to make another version, which is how i landed on strawberries. there is something about how simple and refreshing this dessert is that has you questioning how is it refined sugar free, whole foods and so delicious.

the dark chocolate shell is the same technique as my other chocolate cup/bite recipes: double boiler, coconut oil stirred in before melting for a smooth finish and a bit of shine, a tablespoon into each mold pressed up the sides, then a flash freeze to set before the filling goes in. i use a kettle and a heatproof bowl to do the double boiler rather than a pan on the stove, which i find quicker and easier to control. if you have a pan and a bowl that fits over it, that works exactly the same way. the microwave is also an option but white and dark chocolate both have a tendency to burn in the microwave if you're not careful, so the double boiler is more reliable especially for white chocolate. go in short 20-second bursts and stir between each one if you do use it. the coconut oil goes in with the chocolate and it's what gives you a shell that's smooth rather than thick and dry looking.

the strawberries and "cream" filling goes in once the chocolate shell is almost fully set but not completely rock solid. a slight tackiness after the flash freeze is fine. spoon in a heaped tablespoon of the strawberry yogurt mixture to each mold, smooth the top gently, and back into the freezer. this step takes around an hour for the top of the yogurt to become almost set, but timing will vary depending on your freezer. once it's no longer liquid on top, add the final layer of melted chocolate to seal everything in and freeze for a full four hours or until the yogurt is completely set. i know four hours sounds like a lot but the yogurt needs that time to freeze properly from the centre outward. you can take them out before the 4 hour mark, the yogurt filling will just be less set and still runny instead of the frozen yogurt texture. my only warning is that you might risk taking them out of the freezer too early and the cups will fall apart when removing them from the mold.

once they're fully set, pop them out of the molds gently and store in an airtight container in the freezer. they keep really well for up to a week if you don't eat them all in one sitting (guilty). the frozen yogurt stays thick and creamy rather than turning icy as long as you use a thick greek yogurt to begin with, and the dark chocolate shell stays crisp. let them sit at room temperature for two or three minutes before eating if you want the filling slightly softer, but straight from the freezer on a warm day is so refreshing and just like the frozen yogurt texture we know and love.

if you love this recipe, my mango yogurt bites are an absolute must-make next. same idea but a completely different tropical flavour, and just as easy and refreshing as these.