Crunchy yogurt shapes

Greek yogurt and honey make the simplest, most delicious, and healthy ice cream. Make it into animal shapes for a bit of fun, then coat with sprinkles.

* Makes about 6 to 10 shapes depending on molds

• 1 cup good thick honey
• 3 cups thick Greek yogurt
• 1 cup heavy cream, lightly whipped
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• candy sprinkles

Warm the honey very slightly just to soften it. Stir in the yogurt, whipped cream, and vanilla, and pour into a shallow container to freeze, stirring with a fork once or twice. Freeze for 1 hour, break up with a fork, and freeze for another hour until firm but spoonable.

Line a sheet pan with nonstick paper. Place animal-shaped or other cookie cutters on the pan and fill with the ice cream, making sure to level the tops. Quickly return to the freezer for 1 to 2 hours until really firm.

When ready to serve, carefully push the ice cream out of the molds onto an ice-cold plate. Allow 1 or 2 minutes for the surface to begin to soften. Then, using one or two wooden skewers, dip them on one or two sides into a bowl of sprinkles. Return to the freezer immediately, because they will start to melt very quickly.

To serve, insert a popsicle stick into each one.

Variations:

• Crispie yogurt shapes

Prepare the yogurt ices as directed, but coat in lightly crushed chocolate crispy rice cereal instead of the candy sprinkles.

• Crunchy nutty yogurt shapes

Prepare basic recipe but coat in lightly crushed, crunchy nutty cereal instead of the candy sprinkles.

• Chocolate yogurt shapes

Coat the yogurt ices in a crumbled chocolate candy bar or grated chocolate instead of the candy sprinkles.

• Berry fruity yogurt shapes

Prepare the yogurt ices. While freezing, finely chop 1/2 cup dried blueberries, cranberries, cherries, or your favorite dried fruits. Coat the yogurt ices with these instead of the candy sprinkles.

• Candy fruit yogurt shapes

Prepare the yogurt ices as directed, but coat them with candies, such as M&Ms.