Save to Pinterest I first made this the night before a dinner party when I realized I'd forgotten to plan dessert. Instead of panicking, I opened my fridge and found Greek yogurt, a jar of deep berry jam, and some goat cheese I'd picked up on a whim. Something clicked—I started swirling them together, and suddenly it looked like the night sky. My guests kept stopping mid-conversation just to admire it before eating.
I've made this for friends who claim they don't like goat cheese, and every single time they ask for the recipe. There's something about the way the creamy and tangy play together on the spoon that changes their minds.
Ingredients
- Greek yogurt (400 g): Full-fat makes it richer and creamier, but low-fat works if that's what you have—the key is using good-quality yogurt because there's nowhere to hide mediocre dairy here.
- Soft white goat cheese (80 g, chilled): The chill matters because cold cheese is easier to roll into small balls without it sticking to your fingers.
- Dark berry jam (100 g): Blackberry, blueberry, or blackcurrant all work beautifully; use whatever looks deepest in color and richest in your pantry.
- White sesame seeds (2 tbsp): These are the stars in your galaxy, adding a subtle nutty crunch and visual sparkle.
- Honey (1–2 tbsp, optional): A drizzle adds another layer of sweetness, but honestly the jam already brings enough.
Instructions
- Set the stage:
- Divide your yogurt evenly among four shallow bowls, using the back of a spoon to smooth the tops into a flat, clean canvas. You want it level so your swirl sits beautifully and the whole thing looks intentional.
- Create the spiral:
- Gently drizzle or spoon the jam over the yogurt in a spiral or swirl pattern, working from the outside toward the center or vice versa. Take your time—this is the visual heart of the dish, so let it meander naturally.
- Roll the stars:
- Using your fingers or a small melon baller, break or roll the chilled goat cheese into marble-sized balls and scatter them across the surface. Cold hands help; if the cheese gets sticky, pop it back in the fridge for a minute.
- Dust with sparkle:
- Sprinkle the sesame seeds over everything, filling in the gaps and adding crunch and visual texture. A final drizzle of honey ties it all together if you're using it.
- Serve and admire:
- Bring it to the table as is and let people enjoy the cosmic presentation before gently stirring it all together to eat. The first visual moment matters more than you'd think.
Save to Pinterest My 8-year-old nephew saw this for the first time and called it 'space food,' then asked if it tasted like stars. Watching him eat something beautiful turned it from just a dessert into a tiny moment of magic.
Texture and Flavor Balance
What makes this work is the contrast of three completely different textures meeting in one spoon: the smooth drift of yogurt, the slight resistance and tang of goat cheese, the slight give of jam, and then the subtle crunch of sesame seeds. It's like a conversation between different ingredients, each one having something to say. That balance is what keeps you coming back for another spoonful instead of making it feel heavy or one-note.
When to Make This
This is the dessert for when you want to impress someone but you're genuinely short on time. It's also perfect in warmer months when no one wants anything baked or heavy. I've even served it at brunch next to coffee, and it works just as well.
Small Tricks That Matter
The sesame seeds are really important—not just for looks, but they bring a subtle nuttiness that deepens everything. You can toast them lightly in a dry pan for about a minute if you want to amplify that flavor, just watch them carefully because they burn fast. If you don't have goat cheese, mascarpone or ricotta are honest substitutes; they just shift the tang level slightly.
- Use a piping bag or squeeze bottle for the jam if you want precise spirals instead of rustic swirls.
- Keep everything except the sesame cold until the moment you serve it for the best texture.
- This tastes best eaten right away before the jam soaks too far into the yogurt.
Save to Pinterest This dessert proves that the most elegant things are sometimes the simplest—just good ingredients treated with a little care and assembled with an eye toward beauty. It reminds me why I love cooking: not always for the complexity, but for those moments when a simple bowl of yogurt becomes something worth pausing for.
Questions & Answers
- → What type of yogurt works best for the Galaxy Spiral?
Plain Greek yogurt, either full-fat or low-fat, provides a creamy and tangy base that balances well with the dark berry jam and goat cheese.
- → Can I substitute the goat cheese with another dairy product?
Yes, mascarpone or ricotta cheese can be used as alternatives to maintain the creamy texture and mild flavor.
- → How can I create the spiral effect with the berry jam?
Drizzle or spoon the jam gently over the yogurt and use the back of a spoon or squeeze bottle to form spiral or swirl patterns.
- → Are the sesame seeds raw or toasted in this dish?
White sesame seeds can be sprinkled raw for a mild crunch or lightly toasted to enhance their nutty flavor.
- → Is this dish suitable for special dietary needs?
Yes, it is vegetarian and gluten-free, though it contains dairy and sesame seeds, so check for allergies accordingly.
- → What is the best way to serve the Galaxy Spiral?
Serve immediately after assembling to enjoy the striking visual contrast, optionally drizzled with honey for added sweetness.