Sweet cherry frozen yogurt is swirled with rich dark chocolate in this easy recipe for homemade Cherry Garcia frozen yogurt that tastes just like the one from Ben & Jerry’s!
If you’re looking for a super healthy dessert, with NO coconut milk and no heavy cream, be sure to try this Cherry Garcia frozen yogurt.
The recipe is packed with protein and calcium, can be made with fresh or frozen cherries, and it’s an absolutely delicious summer treat!
Also try these Black Bean Brownies
Cherry Garcia Frozen Yogurt
When I lived in Philadelphia as a child, my family would often take summer road trips to Long Island, New York.
Driving past the bustling NYC and into the Hamptons, our eyes would be glued out the window in the hopes of spotting a celebrity. We’d keep driving until the road would collide with the ocean at the easternmost tip of Long Island: Montauk Point.
There, we would set up a tent right next to the beach.
It was during one such camping vacation at Montauk that I first encountered Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia frozen yogurt.
Watch the step-by-step cherry frozen yogurt video, above
I didn’t actually order the flavor for myself.
No self-respecting chocoholic would ever go for cherry froyo with Chocolate Fudge Brownie also on the menu.
Thankfully, my sister is not a chocoholic. And thankfully, she is willing to share her ice cream. It might be a younger sister thing… she got so used to me taking her candy, chocolate, and cookies that she gave up any protective instincts.
Either that or she’s just super nice.
In any case, as we sat on the dock eating our ice cream, I decided her Cherry Garcia cone might be better than my Chocolate Fudge Brownie one.
The next day when we went for ice cream (of course we went for ice cream every day) I eschewed the chocolate and ordered Cherry Garcia instead.
And no, I didn’t share.
Cherry frozen yogurt ingredient list
You will need cherries, plain yogurt or nondairy yogurt, vanilla extract, sweetener of choice, and optional shaved chocolate or mini chocolate chips.
Regular or Greek yogurt both work. And if you prefer to use vanilla yogurt, simply omit the pure vanilla extract in the recipe.
Pretty much any all purpose granulated or liquid sweetener is fine, including white or unrefined sugar, coconut sugar or date sugar, pure maple syrup, honey, agave, or granulated erythritol for added sugar free cherry frozen yogurt.
Can you use frozen cherries?
You absolutely can. In fact, I prefer to use frozen cherries because they are usually already pitted.
This allows you to skip the pitting step, so the frozen yogurt is even quicker and easier to make.
Look for packages of dark sweet cherries in the frozen fruit aisle of most regular grocery stores or health food stores, as well as in Trader Joes, Walmart, Target, Costco, or Whole Foods.
If using fresh cherries, I like black cherries, such as Bing, Lambert, Chelan, or Sweetheart, because they tend to be softer and sweeter than red cherries.
I have not tried the recipe with wild cherries or sour cherries. If you experiment, be sure to report back with results!
How to make cherry frozen yogurt
Combine the yogurt, pure vanilla extract, sweetener, and a pinch of salt in either an ice cream machine or an airtight container.
(Both versions are delicious; an ice cream maker will just yield a creamier texture.)
Churn according to the instruction manual for your machine until thick, then turn off the machine. Or simply stir the ingredients in the container. Then stir in the chopped cherries and the shaved chocolate pieces.
The ice cream maker version is ready to eat at this time. Or you can transfer the thick froyo mixture to a container and freeze for about a half hour then scoop out with an ice cream scoop for a firmer texture.
If you are using the no ice cream maker method, freeze the container and stir every half hour for up to three hours.
Store leftover frozen yogurt in an airtight container for up to a month. Thaw for fifteen to thirty minutes before eating.
Readers also love this Healthy Banana Bread
The recipe was adapted from my Homemade Frozen Yogurt Recipe.
Cherry Garcia Frozen Yogurt
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain yogurt, nondairy if desired
- 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract (omit if using vanilla yogurt)
- 2 – 6 tbsp sweetener of choice, to taste (some yogurts are sweeter than others)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries, diced
- 3 – 5 tbsp shaved chocolate or mini chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
- In an ice cream machine or a large airtight container, combine the first 5 ingredients. (An ice cream machine yields a creamier texture, but both ways taste delicious.) Once stirred in the container or churned in the machine, add the cherries and chocolate. Stir. Transfer to an airtight container if it’s not already in one. Seal the lid and freeze. If not using an ice cream machine, stir the contents every hour for up to three hours. Otherwise, eat immediately or freeze up to an hour for a firmer texture. Store leftovers, in the airtight container, for up to a month, and thaw 15-30 minutes before eating.View Nutrition Facts
Notes
Have you made this recipe?
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Easy healthy ice cream ideas
judy says
i love your frozen yogurts. peanut butter is among my favorites but cherry garcia ice cream has always been my favorite ben and jerrys
Shelley says
Oh, Katie! You’ve done it again! I am soooooo glad your sister shared her Cherry Garcia all those years ago and inspired this post! My kids will go crazy for it – can’t wait to make it for them! Brilliant!
Kinzie says
I’m pretty sure the five-second-rule also applies to frozen treats. 🙂 I hope you ate it anyway.
Anonymous says
and if it doesn’t, any contamination should melt off in 15-20 sec
kinzie says
HAHA. Yessss. Bon appetit!
Natalie (@fashionatalie) says
This looks amazing, Katie! Can’t wait to try it. And sorry about the wind, what a bummer :-/
Christine Moore says
I think you’re correct about the older siblings and sharing thing. My little sister is generous with her food, and I have tried to follow her lead. However, I know that when I order food I intend to eat it all because I really like it and I may get hungry if someone eats a portion of it. I would rather buy that person another order of whatever I’m having instead of splitting it unless that was my intention.
A fun fact: Jerry Greenfield (Jerry of “Ben and Jerrys”) graduated from the same college as me. I got to meet him at the factory last summer. He is awesome and very humble! I told him I make ice cream, but I didn’t mention that I’m vegan.
Christine@ Apple of My Eye says
Yum that looks so good! Usually I’m all over chocolate and peanut butter flavors, but I’ll need to give this one a try :). At least it has some chocolate shavings in it 😉
Alissa says
Ok, I used to live in Ohio and we got this really good ice cream there, it was one of the best flavors ever, but we haven’t been able to get it in Colorado where we moved. It’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip (I think) I don’t remember the brand but the best part about the ice cream was the vein of peanut butter running through it. I would love if u could recreate a healthy version of that ice cream.
Savannah says
Maybe it was Graeters? They have peanut butter chip ice cream, as well as Buckeye Blitz (http://www.graeters.com/flavors.aspx). We Ohioans love our ice cream =D
nessa says
Looks scrumptious!
Nicholas says
Cherry garcia is my all time favorite! And looks like I can make this by my own. Thanks.
trajayjay says
Is it getting really hot where you live, your last three recipes have been about frozen treats.
Anonymous says
it’s national frozen yogurt week
Jenna Ponraj says
Katie, looks lovely! I’ve never been a fan of frozen yogurt, more of an ice cream girl, but perhaps I’m missing out. Have you ever heard of the flavor salted caramel? I know its a common artisan ice cream flavor but maybe you could make it a tad healthier for us by turning it into frozen yogurt. Sorry about the wind!
Anonymous says
all of those serve yourself frozen yogurt places popping up have the salted caramel flavor
Susan says
I usually don’t save, let alone think about making dessert recipes. But this time you got me! I used to love the Baskin Robbins Burgundy Cherry ice-cream, and of course love chocolate, so this sounds perfect. I would make it with plain nonfat Greek yogurt, though to give it a protein boost, so it would make a good snack. Yum!
Janet says
5 second rule. I so would have eaten that-LOL. Thanks for the recipe!
Moni Meals & Fitness says
Oh yum! This is awesome. Have a great weekend Katie!
Chelsea says
Oh my gosh! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this in my email. 😉 Cannot wait to make it!
Jenni says
Ah, I love cherry garcia! I used to buy the one made by Coconut Bliss, but I haven’t had it in forever. Your cone is drool-worthy!
~Megan~ says
Would you mind mentioning what exact ice cream maker you have? I recall you saying Cuisinart, but I was wondering which model. I would be ever so grateful! 😀 Whatever it is you have I want. “Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie, I neeed I neeed” 😉
Chocolate Covered Katie says
It’ just the basic Cuisinart ice cream and sorbet maker.
Katy @ Katy's Kitchen says
I’m loving all these froyo recipes of yours recently, and I think I’m about ready to have some for breakfast! I just made some goats milk yogurt so I think I might try it with that!
Katie says
My name is Katie, too, and as a foodaholic and Friendsaholic, I always say “KATIE DOESN’T SHARE FOOD”, too. No one ever gets the reference, though..
Kristin says
You make this sound so good…and I don’t even like cherries!
cucicucicoo says
I have no idea why it had never occurred to me that I can make frozen yogurt in my ice cream machine! I am SO making this! 🙂 Lisa
Megan @ Monroe Makeshift says
Awesome! I have everything to make this already! My cherries were starting to go bad, absolutely making this this weekend!
Danielle says
This looks great!
– Danielle
http://www.keenbeauty.com
Anna @ Your Healthy Place says
That last pic is awesome! I find those cones are always tricky though because the ice cream is so much heavier, so they always end up as top-heavy. Looks amazing though!
Ellen says
Mmmm, cherries and chocolate, it’s a combo that can stand up to chocolate and chocolate. Ben and Jerry’s was the first place I saw cookie dough ice cream. My life was forever changed…
Ciera says
Does it matter what type of cherries you use? Also, what type of dark chocolate did you use?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
I don’t think the type of cherry would matter. I used frozen, since they’re already pitted.
For the chocolate, I used Sweet Riot.
Ciera says
Thank you!
Jules says
Cute story. But as a native New Yorker I have to point out that Montauk is on Long Island not upstate ny. Can’t wait to try this recipe
Anonymous says
Being from Syracuse, I thought the same 🙂 Syracuse isn’t even ‘upstate’ by our standards, it’s ‘central.’ Still love you & your blog though, Katie! 🙂 Visit Syracuse sometime, there are some great vegan places!
Chocolate Covered Katie says
*Feels dumb*
I do know it’s not upstate, so I’m not sure why I wrote that. I get it all mixed up… we often go to upstate NY as well (Rhinebeck).
Post fixed 🙂
Liz says
I actually had a fresh cherry and chocolate smoothie this morning – great minds, hah!
Daccota says
I hate to break it to you Katie but Long Island is NOT Upstate New York 😉
Delicious looking frozen yogurt though! I’ve ever been a fan of cherry but maybe it’ll be better with chocolate!
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Sorry for the dumb mistake. I really should know better. Fixed now :).
Amy says
I’m the same way!! Whenever there’s chocolate ice cream or frozen yogurt, I never order anything else. But I learned my lesson just TWO days ago. My brother ordered passion fruit sorbet, and it was so much better than my brownie-studded vanilla ice cream. Now I know what I’m ordering at the ice cream parlor tonight!
Anonymous says
Do you have anorexia? You look rrreeeealllly thin in your pictures. Are you sure you eat chocolate everyday and taste all the treats you make??
Mary says
What?! Hahaha what kind of comment is this? Maybe she has a fast metabolism or watches what she eats most of the time so she can enjoy some sweets some of the time or maybe she makes all this good stuff for her family to enjoy….
Thank you, Katie, for your awesome recipes, by the way. 😘
Tanner says
I just made this and ate it for dinner! I halved the recipe, but kept the full 20g of chocolate :). It’s soooo yummy! I topped it with coconut flakes, and it was delicious! I normally don’t go for chocolate and cherries together, but I had all of the ingredients, and it’d been awhile since I made anything from your blog, so I thought, why not? Oh, and I don’t share food either (well, extremely grudgingly and in tiny amounts, if forced). Thankfully (or tragically), nobody else in my family likes healthy food 🙂 🙁
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats says
Love the combo of cherries and chocolate together that sounds yummo!
Shannon says
I might have to make this with chocolate yogurt or added cocoa powder. My husband and I are both chocoholics and what’s the point in a frozen treat if it’s not loaded with chocolate?
Sweet and Simple Inspirations says
This looks absolutely awesome! I want to try it!!
Olivia@ OmNom Love says
I love the chocolate and cherries. Together, they are one of those combinations made in heaven! I’ll definitely be trying this! 😀
ponetium says
Hey Katie,
I live in a place without any vegan yogurts to buy, but I really want to try out this recipe (actually, all of your recipes…).
Can you recommend a recipe of a vegan yogurt, please?
Joanna says
I would love to try these and others of your frozen yogurt recipes but I was wondering how much this one makes? That would give me an idea of how much the others make. Thanks so much!
Eloise says
Have you ever made Biscotte before?
Shannon says
Hey Katie this looks delicious!!! Can i make a request for ben and Jerrys Chunky monkey pretty please with homemade sprinkles on top?
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy says
Sounds delish! I love a good scoop of ice cream!
Ilane @cultiv8health says
I CANNOT wait for your cookbook! Can you include ALL your blog recipes and more? Just kidding! 🙂
Fern says
This looks like a great recipe. Dark chocolate and cherries… can’t go wrong really! I haven’t tried the Ben and Jerry’s version but will have to give this one a go!
Patrick says
Hey Katie,
This recipe looks awesome. I haven’t done much in the way of working with frozen treats but the first thing I thought of was how great this would be as an ice cream cake. Do you think that it would work or is yogurt not very well suited for use in cakes? Great work on the site. We’ve adopted a number of your recipes in our house when we decide to get away from our diets.
Best,
Patrick
Unofficial CCK Helper says
You never know until you try!
Tress Rabne says
Hi, CCK, We love all of your recipes, and want to try your frozen yogurts. One of my problems is that I live 15-30 miles from health food stores that carry the large tubs of non-dairy yogurt. Near me, I can only by individual cups of almond, coconut, or soy yogurt, and that becomes quite expensive. I have heard that you can make your own yogurt in a crockpot. Do you know of any way of making vegan plain or vanilla yogurt at home?
Deborah says
Would Greek yogurt work for this?
Julia says
My mother and I made this a few days ago and it was a smashing success!
The only change we made was using a full cup of cherries–and even then, we both agreed that next time we would use more. Admittedly, though, we’re both HUGE cherry-lovers, so 3/4 cup is probably plenty for most folks 🙂
Thanks for the fantastic recipe–this one will absolutely be making a reappearance in our kitchen!
Alexandra says
Thank you so much Katie 😀 I live in Sweden and LOVE your blog and your recipes. I need to try this out soon! I mean summer is just around the corner and what is a summer without ice cream ? 😉
Ash says
Hi Katie 🙂 Would you be able to do a spinach ice cream recipe using an ice cream machine? your spinachy mint one looks soooooo tasty but I don’t have a vita mix 🙁
I cant wait to try out my new ice cream maker with this recipe though! i’m a huuge fan of this flavor. <3
Veronica says
wonder if I can do this in my vitamix? It has the ice cream feature.
Sarah @ SimplyScrumptiousBySarah says
Yum!!! I LOVE cherries garcia!! Such a yummy flavor!!! I also love that this is only 3 points plus!!!!! 🙂
Anonymous says
Do you seriously eat all this stuff. How do you stay so thin??
Cory says
You’re frozen yogurt recipes are soooo good.
Have you considered a matcha or red bean recipe??
Megan says
Hubby and I just made this – soooo yummy! It only took about 8 or 9 mins to freeze in our ice cream maker. Fresh cherries, Fage greek yogurt, and sucanat for the sugar. High five!
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Thank you so much for trying it 🙂
Karen says
Katie, your website is AWESOME! I made this recipe in my new Vitamix and it was YUMMY! I have had the *real* Cherry Garcia, and it doesn’t really taste like that. It more closely resembles the self-serve yogurt place yogurts – except much better! I did use Greek yogurt; that may have given it the extra tang. I made a half-recipe and then instantly regretted it – I wish I’d made the entire recipe, it was so good!
Nat Bell says
Just made the yummiest frozen yoghurt – blueberry chocolate coconut – variation on your recipes due to lack of ingredients. Was delicious, and some leftover for tomorrow. I love these recipes, can’t wait to try more!!
Brianna says
ohhh my gosh i need this. Thats all I will say with this recipe and the peanut butter frozen yogurt ahh Im in love I cant wait to make both. How do you come up with all these amazing recipe’s!
Rita says
I love the windblown look! And I would eat it anyway…. Cherry garcia is nice, but give me a double chocolate chunk cone any day.
Samara says
Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Cherry Garcia are my favourite Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream flavours! And yes, I generally always go for anything with chocolate in it… Not much a fan of the fruity flavours of ice cream unless it’s Tiger.
Nina says
Greetings from the UK.
Do you think this would work with low fat yoghurt like 2% or no fat Greek Yoghurt. I am not familiar with the recommended yoghurt mentioned in the recipe here in the UK.
Any ideas if it would work in a Vitamix Blender?
Thanks in advance – love your blog thanks for all your inspirational ideas and recipes.
Jackie says
It does! Just freeze the mixture in ice cube trays, pop into the vita, and blend!
Maxine says
I too am a HUGE Cherry Garcia fan. Have you tried the Chocolate Cherry Garcia? OMG So good but hard to find.
My question is whether to use a full, low, or non-fat plain greek yogurt? There are so many comments here I may have missed an answer you gave another fan so I apologize if this is redundant.
Jason Sanford says
It will be good no matter which you use! For richest ice cream, use full-fat. or for lower-fat froyo, the low-fat is fine too 🙂
Jason
Annie S, Desserts For The Better says
Wow! This cherry frozen yogurt looks to amazing! My family is a huge fan of ice cream and frozen yogurt so we will definitely have to try this recipe. Thank you so much for posting it!
Lauren says
Hi Katie,
This recipe looks great. I’m honestly sorry to ask a question because usually the answers are IN your post. However, I’ve read your post twice and the instructions, and my question is: How much milk is required? Your post suggests to combine the “yogurt, milk of choice… “, but I don’t see milk as an ingredient in the recipe or the recipe’s instructions below it. I think I’m missing something, and I do apologize, as it’s probably an oversight on my part, not yours. If there is milk included in the recipe, how much per se? Thank you in advance!
Kindly,
Lauren
CCK Media Team says
Hi Lauren, thank you for catching this, it is indeed on our end! The recipe in the box is correct; it’s been updated from an older version that did include milk of choice. We fixed the commentary. Sorry for the confusion!
Lauren says
Awesome! Thank you for your kind response. Rarely, does Katie or her team make mistakes, as her posts are always so complete and thorough. But, perhaps this tiny correction will avoid further questions! Thank you, again!
b.f. bayha says
Bit of a question on this. I dont do yogurt but make kefir of my own. Have you tried this with kefir? I suspect it may be a one to one swap?
Thanks for the chocolate recipes!
CCK Media Team says
Hmm we honestly have never tried so can’t say. Be sure to report back if you experiment!
diane weismiller says
I am trying this. I can’t wait! Will let ya know how mine turns out! I added walnuts!🤗