Belated Engagement Celebration with Grad School Friends and Yogurt Baking Tips
Good morning, friends! The grad school girls hosted a lovely belated engagement celebration for me at our friend Libby’s apartment last night. It felt so special to be surrounded by close friends and a spread of delicious treats.
I was already spoiled earlier in the week when I went out to dinner with my high school girlfriends to celebrate. So many celebrations—so much love!
The grad school gang had wanted to celebrate sooner, but last week was hectic with school and then most of us left for fall break. Postponing the party turned out to be a great idea: the evening felt relaxed and even more joyful because everyone could be there.
We enjoyed a cozy assortment of snacks and treats: Great Harvest pumpkin chocolate chip bread, a selection of crackers with cheese and jam (jam and cheese are such a fantastic pairing), and of course, champagne for toasting the happy news.
You ladies are the best. Thanks for the party. 🙂
One of the highlights was a batch of carrot cake sandwich cookies made by our friend Elle—my absolute favorite. These are indulgent, perfectly spiced, and filled with a creamy yogurt-based filling that keeps them moist without excess fat. Seeing them was a joyful moment—I may have shouted “YESSSS!!!!” when I noticed she’d made them in my honor.
These carrot cake sandwich cookies remind me of an elevated version of the familiar oatmeal cream pie but brighter and fresher. Both the cookies and the filling include yogurt, which keeps them moist and adds a pleasant tang—an easy trick to make desserts feel lighter without sacrificing flavor.
I love modifying recipes to be healthier, and yogurt is an excellent ingredient for that purpose. Greek or regular yogurt adds moisture and tang, often allowing you to omit oil or butter in baking. It also works beautifully as a substitute for mayonnaise in salads and as a lighter alternative to sour cream on savory dishes.
Here are some favorite recipes on the blog that use yogurt to make baked goods healthier:
- Sweet Potato Cranberry Coconut Muffins
- Blueberry Apple Cinnamon Yogurt Bread
- Pumpkin Muffins (or Bread) of Deliciousness
- Oatmeal Banana Coconut Cookies
- Cranberry Yogurt Scones
Yogurt isn’t limited to sweets. I often use it instead of mayonnaise in salads and sandwiches—tuna salad, chicken salad, or deviled eggs all benefit from the creaminess of yogurt with fewer calories and more protein:
- Tuna Salad with a Healthy Twist
- Autumn Chicken Salad
- Healthy Deviled Eggs
Yogurt also makes a great substitute for sour cream—either stirred into recipes or spooned onto tacos and other Mexican favorites. Try a lighter seven-layer dip or top your chili with a dollop of yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangy, creamy finish.
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If you want a printable guide to ingredient swaps and tips for making recipes healthier, check out the downloadable “How to Make a Recipe Healthier” handout on the blog.
Chobani’s Chobani Kitchen project highlights creative ways to cook with yogurt; they have dozens of ideas that turn classic dishes into lighter versions while keeping big flavor. I especially enjoy their seasonal recipe ideas and small-batch desserts that take advantage of yogurt’s texture and tang.
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What are your favorite ways to use yogurt to make a recipe or meal healthier?
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This post is sponsored by Chobani. (But all opinions about the benefits of yogurt are my own.)