Summer Popsicles Part II

Summer is here, people and this #SuperMomma couldn’t be happier to get a little down time with my family. I’m looking forward to some pool time and enjoying one of my favorite summer treats, popsicles!!  If you didn’t catch my popsicle recipes post from last summer, you should definitely check it out here. In the same vein of tasty summer cool downs, you should also check out my deliciously flavored and gorgeous looking (if I do say so myself) ice cubes! You may never look at your ice tray the same way again.

At the Stuber-Sims household I would say that we are frozen treat aficionados.  From fro-yo, gelato, ice cream to ice creams sandwiches we appreciate ALL the icy yumminess, especially popsicles!! A little trick that that I recently started doing is using smaller Popsicle molds when making popsicles for Brooks. There is NO reason to make kids giant popsicles that they can’t even finish.  This way I can feel good about letting Brooksie have more than one in a day. Without any further ado, I’m happy to share #TeamSims Summer 2015 Popsicle recipes…

I’m going to start with Brooksie’s absolute favorite.  Our quasi-healthy version of a fudgesicle.  If your kids love chocolate, they will love this popsicle.  This is also my sister-in-law’s favorite!

Coco Fudge Popsicles

Ingredients:

• 1 can coconut milk (13.5 ounces)
• ¼ Cup Cacao powder
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 1-teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 to 5 Tablespoons maple syrup (to taste)

Place all items in a blender and blend for 2 minutes.  Taste an add maple syrup for additional sweetness.  Be careful not to be heavy handed with the sweetener.  Let the mixture settle a bit before you pour into molds.  If you don’t you will end up with too bubbly of a mixture in your popsicles, making them not as solid as they should be.

Arnold Palmer Popsicles

There is nothing better than an Arnold Palmer on a hot day.  Turn that bad boy into a Popsicle?!?  Now we are talking!! I’m from the South, so I’m a girl that loves sweet tea.  The beauty of an Arnold Palmer (half ice tea/half lemonade) is that you get your sweetness from the lemonade and not with a ton of sugar.  So with this Popsicle, the recipe is really up to you and how you like your tea.  I’ve even made a version with black tea with a little simple syrup and mint.  You really can’t lose with an ice tea Popsicle.

Take your ice tea and lemonade and place it together in a pitcher.  Sweeten until you are satisfied and pour into the mold. It’s that easy!

Pomegranate Cherry Popsicles

I’m a girl who enjoys a little tart with my sweet now and then, so this particular Popsicle is in my wheelhouse.  Who am I kidding; the entire Popsicle genre is in my wheelhouse … Nevertheless, these gem-toned cuties are delicious!!

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted and chopped fresh cherries
• 2 cups Pomegranate juice

Now if you need your Popsicle a little sweeter… then add a bit of club soda and simple syrup to the mix before pouring into molds

Quick Tip:  You need to freeze your popsicles in layers in order to get the fresh cherries pieces throughout your Popsicle.  Fill your Popsicle about 1/3 of the way full and freeze for 30 minutes before pouring the next layer.  Repeat until filled.

Cucumber Chili Lemon Popsicles

I love a little spice in my life.  Last summer my favorite Popsicle from our batch was the chili mango and this summer’s spicy treat is this little number. Cucumber and lemon is a popular flavor profile here in Southern Californian. We have fresh fruit vendors on almost every corner selling diced fresh fruit topped with chili and lemon.  This Popsicle reminds me of those flavors and is completely crisp and refreshing.

Ingredients

• 2 medium sized cucumbers, peeled and chopped
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder (less if you aren’t fond of spicy)
• 1/3 lemon juice
• ½ cup sugar

Place all items in blender and blend until smooth. If you are not a fan of pulp, strain through a sieve into a pitcher before pouring into molds.

Watermelon Mint

Ingredients

• 3 Cups fresh seedless watermelon cubed
• 8-10 leaves chopped fresh mint
• 1-1 ½ Cups water

I was addicted to watermelon during my first pregnancy!  Maybe that’s why Brooksie loves it, too!  This is a great recipe that is perfect on a hot summer’s day.  I showed you my super simple Agua Fresca de sandia recipe here so all you have to do is take that and pour it into the molds and before placing the Popsicle sticks in add a layer of chopped mint. If you aren’t a fan of the pulp, then I suggest straining your mixture first like we did on Cinco de Mayo for our layered margaritas.