A method for filling containers with _'sundae-style' yogurt includes the steps of placing a transparent lid (20) over the top of a container (16), and providing an opening (18) in the bottom of the closed, empty container. The container is inverted to position the lid at the bottom of the container, with the opening being foremost. A fruit fraction (28) is introduced through the opening to form a layer of fruit preserves overlying the inside surface of the lid. The remainder of the container is filled with a bacteriologically inoculated, gum stabilized liquid milk fraction (32) introduced through the opening. The opening is then sealed, and the filled inverted container is incubated so that fermentation of the liquid milk fraction produces yogurt (55). The inverted container is refrigerated to solidify the stabilizers in the yogurt. The container is then positioned in the normal upright position, providing a container of yogurt with sufficient gel strength to support the more dense top layer of fruit preserves. In an alternative embodiment, a container (60) in an upright position is partially filled with an inoculated, gum stabilized liquid milk fraction (32) which is then incubated and subsequently refrigerated in a sterile environment to produce gum stabilized yogurt (72). A layer of fruit preserves (76) is then added to the top surface of the yogurt which has sufficient gel strength to support the fruit layer. A lid (78) is then applied to the container, providing 'sundae-style' yogurt having a fruit preserve topping immediately inside the lid. Techniques are also disclosed for inhibiting intermingling of fruit preserves with the liquid milk or yogurt fraction by providing a water-insoluble, semi-solid edible barrier (74) of hydrogenated animal fat or hydrogenated vegetable oil at the interface between the fruit preserves and the liquid milk or yogurt fraction.