Popsicles for Pennies

Nothing cools you off better than a Popsicles.  And with today’s temperatures getting into the 90’s for the first time this year… we all could use a little ice cold refreshment.

Popsicles are not expensive… unless you want to feed the kids something healthy.  For a while I bought Dreyer’s Fruit Pops.  But they are expensive and after checking the label I was dismayed to find they are full of sugar!  So much for healthy.

The solution is easy.  “Make it Do” your own popsicles.  Popsicle molds are cheaply available at Target or Walmart and they last a long time.  You can also use a paper cup and a craft stick.

Since I have strawberries coming out of my garden right now… and I must say, homegrown strawberries put store-bought to shame, here’s one of my favorite recipes using strawberries:

Homemade Strawberry Popsicles

1 quart strawberries
2- 8 oz. vanilla yogurt (or flavor of your choice)
2 Tbsp. honey (or to taste depending on the sweetness of your berries) (or you can use sugar if you prefer)

Remove tops from strawberries and place all the ingredients into a blender until well blended.  Pour into approx. 8 popsicle molds.  Freeze.  Enjoy.

Another healthy option is to make popsicles out of frozen concentrated 100 percent juice.  When making the juice, use only 1/2 the water.  That way the posicles taste better, and are not as icy.

My kids love fudgesicles made from 1 (3 oz.) pkg. chocolate instant pudding, 1/2 c. sugar, 1/2 c. cream, and 2 c. milk… which isn’t the healthiest but at least some milk is involved.

Here’s a site that had fun popsicle recipes… I’m going to try the creamsicles.

And here is a link to buy the fun molds pictured above:  Tovolo Popsicle Molds (set of 6) – Star

I just have a few rules about popsicles… they must be eaten outside… while laying in the grass, with nothing more important to do than watching the butterflies and clouds roll by… and the handles must be returned to the kitchen sink when you’re done!