Pin to Board I discovered this dish on a late evening when I was restless in the kitchen, tired of making the same old desserts. My hands were fidgeting with a jar of dark berry jam, and I found myself thinking about how beautiful food doesn't always need to be complicated. I had Greek yogurt, goat cheese, and sesame seeds scattered across my counter, and somehow, the idea of arranging them like stars in a night sky felt exactly right. That first bowl I made was less about following a recipe and more about playing—and it stuck with me ever since.
My roommate once asked me to make something special for her book club, and I made four of these in silence, focusing on getting the spirals just right. When I set them down on the table, everyone stopped talking for a second. Not because it was fancy, but because it looked like you could actually eat the night sky. That moment taught me that food doesn't need to be complicated to make people pause and appreciate it.
Ingredients
- Greek yogurt, 400g: Full-fat feels luxurious and creamy, but low-fat works too if that's your preference—the key is starting with good quality so it tastes rich on its own.
- Soft white goat cheese, 80g: Keep it chilled so it's easier to roll into little marbles; the tanginess is what makes this dessert feel sophisticated instead of overly sweet.
- Dark berry jam, 100g: Blackberry, blueberry, or blackcurrant all work beautifully—pick whichever you love most, and if your jam has seeds, that's actually lovely texture-wise.
- White sesame seeds, 2 tbsp: These are your stars; if you toast them for a minute in a dry pan first, they'll taste nuttier and crunchier.
- Honey, 1–2 tbsp: Optional, but a gentle drizzle adds warmth and helps tie the flavors together if you want extra sweetness.
Instructions
- Smooth Your Base:
- Divide the yogurt among four shallow bowls, pressing it gently with the back of a spoon to create an even, flat surface. This canvas is important—it's where your spiral will really shine.
- Create the Spiral:
- Drizzle or spoon the jam slowly over the yogurt in a spiral or swirl pattern, letting it follow its own path rather than forcing it. Take a moment to enjoy how the dark jam disappears into the white, like the edge of a galaxy.
- Roll Your Stars:
- Using your fingers or a small melon baller, break the chilled goat cheese into marble-sized balls and scatter them across the bowl. If your fingers get sticky, a light rinse helps, and don't worry if they're not perfect—irregular stars feel more genuine.
- Add the Cosmic Dust:
- Sprinkle the sesame seeds over everything, filling in the gaps and creating that constellation feeling. These add a subtle crunch and keep the whole thing from feeling too soft.
- Finish and Serve:
- Drizzle with honey if you'd like, and set it down in front of whoever you're serving it to before the light catches it just right. Encourage them to admire it for a moment before stirring and eating—that pause is part of the experience.
Pin to Board I once made this for someone who was having a hard time, and watching them smile when they saw it was unexpectedly moving. Food can be more than fuel—it can be a small, edible reminder that someone thought of you, that beauty exists in simple moments. This dessert taught me that.
On Choosing Your Jam
The jam you pick will shift the entire mood of the dish. Blackberry jam feels almost moody and sophisticated, blackcurrant leans tart and bold, and blueberry is softer and more approachable. I've experimented with all three, and each one tells a slightly different story in the bowl. If your jam is too thick to spiral smoothly, warm it gently for thirty seconds and it'll flow like it's meant to.
The Texture Play
What makes this dessert work is the conversation between textures—creamy yogurt, chunky jam, smooth goat cheese, and those little crackles from the sesame seeds. Every spoonful is different depending on what you catch, which keeps you interested all the way through. I learned this by accident when I first made it hastily and didn't distribute things evenly; the uneven version was actually more fun to eat.
Variations and Serving Ideas
This is a dessert that welcomes small changes without losing its soul. Mascarpone or ricotta can stand in for goat cheese if that's what you have, and toasted sesame seeds add a deeper, nuttier dimension. Pair it with chilled Moscato or sparkling water with lemon for a light, elegant end to a meal, or serve it as a palate cleanser between courses.
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for one minute to unlock their full flavor and crunch.
- If making ahead, keep the yogurt, jam, and cheese separate and assemble just before serving to preserve the visual drama.
- A pinch of fleur de sel over the top brings out the goat cheese's tang and adds a subtle sophistication.
Pin to Board This dessert reminds me that sometimes the most meaningful food is the simplest—just good ingredients arranged with a little intention and care. Make it for someone, or make it for yourself on a night when you need a small, edible piece of beauty.
Common Questions
- → What type of yogurt works best for this dish?
Full-fat or low-fat plain Greek yogurt provides a creamy, tangy base that complements the dark berry jam and goat cheese.
- → Can I use other cheeses instead of goat cheese?
Mascarpone or ricotta can be used as alternatives, offering a milder, creamy texture to balance the jam’s sweetness.
- → How can I enhance the flavor of sesame seeds?
Lightly toasting sesame seeds before sprinkling adds a nutty aroma and subtle crunch to the dish.
- → Is there a preferred method to create the jam swirl?
Using a piping bag or squeeze bottle allows for precise, elegant spirals, but gentle spoon drizzling also works well.
- → What beverages pair well with this preparation?
A chilled Moscato or sparkling water with lemon complements the dish's sweet and tangy notes without overpowering them.
- → How long does this dish take to prepare?
It can be assembled in about 10 minutes with no cooking time required, making it ideal for quick serving.