Frozen pops -- tips and recipes

[Anonymous]

I would like to make frozen pops at home. Can anyone recommend some healthy recipes? Any recipes using greek yogurt would be great. Can anyone recommend ice pop holders or makers? Is it better to use a silicone sleeve than a stick to avoid messes? (I have a 2 year old.) Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I put some yogurt (any kind), fresh or canned pineapple, strawberries, and a banana in a blender. I just use whatever amounts I have around. The last one I made I used about 3 oz of yogurt, 1 cup of pineapple chunks and 5-6 large strawberries. If it isn't sweet enough you can always add a teaspoon of sugar. I then pour into an ice tray, the kind that makes large ice cubes. After 1 hour I put in straws for the popsicle sticks (I cut them into thirds so they are short). I find that the large ice cube shape is big enough for my preschooler.

[Anonymous]

My mom used to just slice mango, put some popsicle sticks in them and then freeze. They were delicious on a hot day.

[Anonymous]

I really like these molds because they are individual, so they take up less freezer space (if we have eaten 5-6, then the 5 empties get washed and put away, rather than being stuck kn the freezer until we eat the last one:
inhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000G34F1Q?pc_redir=1400104356&robot_redir=1

As a PP said, you don't really need a recipe. Rule of thumb is: if it tastes good as a smoothie, it'll taste good as a popsicle. That said, my kids love when I make pudding using this recipe:
http://vegan-magic.blogspot.com/2012/09/chocolate-mousse-no-added-sugar.html?m=1
We have pudding for dessert one night, then thin the remaining pudding with a little milk and maple syrup and freeze for the next dessert night.

If you are worried about messes, then putting a little gelatin of agar-agar into the mix will help them melt more slowly, but my main tip is to just plan on having messy kids. I have been known to make my kids eat shirtless on the back patio, if we have somewhere to be later and I want them to be easy to wipe off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I put some yogurt (any kind), fresh or canned pineapple, strawberries, and a banana in a blender. I just use whatever amounts I have around. The last one I made I used about 3 oz of yogurt, 1 cup of pineapple chunks and 5-6 large strawberries. If it isn't sweet enough you can always add a teaspoon of sugar. I then pour into an ice tray, the kind that makes large ice cubes. After 1 hour I put in straws for the popsicle sticks (I cut them into thirds so they are short). I find that the large ice cube shape is big enough for my preschooler.

NP here, Cool recipe! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Our family avoids sugar but loves rich foods. I just made some amazing strawberry cheesecake popsicles. I didn't measure, but made a smoothie with cream cheese, sour cream, heavy cream, vanilla, and strawberries. These were totally amazing and a huge hit with everyone. Kids are 3 and 5.

I have some regular tupperware molds (http://www.amazon.com/Tupperware-Popsicle-Frozen-Treat-Makers/dp/B0002LGO4S)
and some silicone squeeze ones (http://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Maker-Popsicle-Molds-Free/dp/B00CIUHSPA/). They all work well. It helps to run the mold under warm water for a few seconds before unmolding the pop.

When my kids were 2, they couldn't really manage popsicles. They loved "getting" one, but then sort of licked tentatively before abandoning it.