Orange dreams are a polarizing dessert.
Some people love the sweet, sugary goodness of orange dreams, while others think they’re too much like candy.
If you’re in the latter camp, consider making your own orange dream machine recipe at home.
The combination of orange juice, creamy yogurt, and crunchy granola creates a delicious and nutritious breakfast or snack. It’s light, refreshing, and sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
What ingredients are needed to make an orange dream machine?
To make an orange dream machine, you’ll need a few ingredients to start.
The most important ingredient is orange juice, which is typically found in the juice section of your local grocery store.
You’ll also need some creamy yogurt and granola, which are both found in the dairy aisle.
As far as toppings go, you can make a rainbow of them by adding other fresh fruit, granola, nuts or whatever else you’re feeling like.
You’ll also need a bowl or plate to mix everything together.
How long does it take to make an orange dream machine?
Making an orange dream machine is fairly straightforward and doesn’t require any special equipment.
You’ll need everything you’d normally find in your kitchen to make it, including a blender for mixing the ingredients.
The only exception is a large bowl and a whisk.
Making an orange dream machine only takes 20 minutes or less from start to finish.
Once you have all the ingredients ready, you’ll simply follow a few steps to mix and combine them together.
The resulting dessert will take 30 minutes or less to cool, but you can speed up the process by placing it in the fridge.
What is the best way to prepare an orange dream machine?
Making your orange dream machine at home is easy.
You can make it in a trash can, or you can use a muffin pan to make sure the finished product is uniform.
Here’s what you need:
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup granola (optional)
- Parchment paper
Begin by making the orange juice and yogurt.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.
If using granola, add to the mixture and stir to combine.
To make the orange dreams, pour orange juice into a large trash can or muffin tin.
Add in yogurt and granola mixture.
Stir well to combine.
Now you can either bake the orange dreams in the oven or microwave them.
To bake, spread the mixture out evenly on a baking sheet or in the muffin pan.
Bake at 175 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Alternatively, you can toss the mixture in a microwaveable dish with a cover and heat for about one minute on high power.
What is the most popular orange dream machine recipe?
Whichever orange dream machine recipe you choose, it’s important to know that they’re all pretty similar.
They each have the same basic ingredients, and they require the same cooking process.
What sets them apart is how they’re prepared.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular orange dream machine recipes so you can decide which one you prefer.
How much sugar is typically in an orange dream machine?
The sugar content of an orange dream machine depends on the brand of yogurt and orange juice used, as well as how much of each you use.
Typically, one eight-ounce serving of orange yogurt contains about 18 grams of sugar, while one eight-ounce glass of orange juice has about 15 grams of sugar.
The granola is also a significant source of sugar, with one cup containing about 38 grams of sugar.
If you’re not sure what portion size to use, go by the weight of your yogurt or the number of tablespoons in your orange juice.
For example, if you’re buying a container of plain Greek yogurt that weighs 8 ounces, and you want to make a four-serving recipe, you should use 4 ounces in each bowl.
For more information on nutrition facts for specific foods, check out our complete guide on nutrition facts for everything you eat.
What are the nutritional benefits of an orange dream machine?
When you make your own orange dream machine, you’re not only adding fiber to your diet, but also giving yourself a healthy dose of whole grains.
The orange juice and yogurt provide calcium and proteins, while the granola adds fiber and plenty of crunch.
This is a high-fiber, high-protein breakfast or snack that’s sure to keep you satisfied until lunchtime.
If an orange dream machine isn’t your idea of a healthful snack, you can still reap the benefits of this recipe.
When you’re done eating the yogurt and granola, throw all of the ingredients into a blender and puree them into a thick, smoothie.
Is there a way to make an orange dream machine healthier?
You can make orange dreams a bit healthier by switching up the toppings.
Swap in low-fat yogurt for the regular kind and use brown sugar instead of granola.
You’ll still get that sweet, orange flavor, but you’ll be helping your diet at the same time.
How can one tell if an orange dream machine is cooked correctly?
Making an orange dream machine at home is a breeze.
All you need to do is combine some fresh orange juice with some Greek yogurt, granola, and a little bit of melted butter.
When the dish is cooked and chilled, it will look something like this:
This dish is mostly air, and thus has a light, fluffy texture.
It’s perfect for spooning into dessert bowls, or eating with a spoon directly out of the bowl.
It’s not quite whipped cream in the sense that it won’t hold its shape when you try to make a heaping mound on top of your dessert, but it certainly feels like it.
If you’re trying to make an orange dream machine recipe more nutritious, simply reduce the amount of butter and add some chopped nuts or seeds to the mixture.
If you’re really strict about your healthy orange dream machine recipe, consider using 100 percent fruit juice instead of milk.
If you’re feeling adventurous and looking for a delicious treat without any cream at all, try substituting half milk with half orange juice.
What flavor combinations go well with an orange dream machine?
Orange dreams are a fun dessert to try, but it’s not for everyone.
If you’re not a fan of the orange flavor, then you should consider making your own orange dream machine recipe at home.
While this recipe includes orange juice and granola, the real star of the show is the yogurt.
This creamy ingredient adds a lot of moisture to the granola and brings together the flavors in a balanced way.
The yogurt even acts as a sponge, soaking up all that extra orange juice and turning it into a nice sauce that’s perfect with the granola.
Other flavors go well with an orange dream machine.
You can substitute a different yogurt if you prefer or add mint, chocolate chips, or other fruit to make a healthy Orange Dreamsicle.
Check out our guide on making your own Orange Dreamsicle for more ideas.
Is there a secret ingredient to making the perfect orange dream machine?
The secret to making the perfect orange dream machine is all in the yogurt.
It’s important to use full-fat yogurt to give your dreams a creamy texture.
If you’re not a fan of full-fat yogurt, you can try using Greek yogurt instead.
If you have trouble finding full-fat yogurt at your local grocery store, you can make your own.
All it takes is a little patience and a little time.
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup soy milk
- 1 cup vanilla nonfat frozen yogurt
- 1 cup orange sherbet
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- Blender with cover should contain orange juice, soy milk, vanilla nonfat frozen yogurt, orange sherbet, and crushed ice.
- Starting at its lowest setting, the blender should be gradually increased to its highest setting. As a result, the motor and blades will last longer, the mix will be more constant, and less food will spray onto the lid and sides.
- 30 seconds or until a smooth consistency is reached after 30 seconds of blending.
- Pour into a glass for instant hydration or store in the fridge in an airtight container for later consumption.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.