Vibrant Summer Yumminess: Popsicles

Summer is heating up and I’m going to show you how to keep it cool with delicious popsicles that your entire family will enjoy. As always, I have some great tips and tricks up my sleeve to make you appear like a proper popsicle guru. (I’m even going to show you how to layer these bad boys.) What I can’t protect you from, is the ice cream headache you are going to give yourself, because these are that good.

Brooks is a big fan of the frozen treats. I do my best to make healthy choices, but I completely understand the Zen that only an ice cream sandwich can bring. What I LOVE about these popsicles is that they hit the top of the scales on the yummy meter and they are completely natural. You can make these as simple or complex as you like, but my rule of thumb is a max of three flavors per popsicle. I’ve even included a popsicle perfect for the cocktail crew. My favorite of the bunch is actually a single flavored fellow that I will tell you all about later. So let’s get started!!

I went on a bit of a popsicle mold bender (research for YOU my dear readers) and although you have to be a bit patient to get them to come loose from the mold, these Trovolo Groovy ice pop molds are my favorite but, they are larger in size, so you may prefer these smaller, but still great popsicle molds from Ikea especially if you have little guys.

Honorable mention to the old school “bomb pop” styled mold from Trovolo. Definitely fueled my desire to get the flavor layering perfected.

Quick Tip: Run cold water over the Popsicle mold to help you remove easily. If your popsicle is being a bit stubborn warm the water up a bit.

There are thousands of flavors and combinations you could try. My suggestion is that you make a few bases in flavor profiles you and your family enjoy, and then play around with different combinations. I’m going to give you recipes for my four fav bases and then show you the combinations we liked best!

You can absolutely use fresh fruit in making these. I just found it easier to work with frozen. As you may know frozen fruit is equally nutritious and sometimes even better for you because they are usually flash frozen at the peak of ripeness. The consistency you are looking for is between a smoothie and a milkshake. You want to be able to easily pour your mixture into the mold, but not too runny that it takes forever to freeze. This is especially important if you are layering.

How to Layer

When you layer and want to create defined line between each flavor, the trick is to freeze in between each layer. Pour your first flavor and then set in the freezer for approximately 20 minutes before you add the next layer.

These bases are absolutely delicious on their own as a single flavor Popsicle. The cream base would be excellent if you just added some pieces of fruit (fresh or frozen) into the mix.

Blend these babies in your blender for the perfect Popsicle fixins!! Add the liquid slowly and don’t be afraid to add less/more depending on the thickness.

Mango:

• 12 oz bag of diced frozen mango
• 1 ½ cup of limeade

Blueberry:

• 12 oz bag of frozen blueberries
• 1 ½ cups lemonade

Raspberry:

• 12 oz bag for frozen raspberries
• 1 ½ cups lemonade
• 2 tablespoons dark maple syrup

Cream:

• 3 cups of honey Greek yogurt (if using plain yogurt, add honey to taste)
• ¼ cup milk (An estimate. Add slowly as you may need less. You are looking to make the mixture pourable but don’t want it too thin)

Look at that layering. Ben & Jerry’s better watch out!!! Mama is ready for her Popsicle making crown. Just kidding … but just give me a few more batches. I’m working toward Popsicle perfection. Who’s with me?

Quick Tip:

Make room in your freezer BEFORE starting. You don’t want a popsicle meltdown (literally) before you get out of the gate. Remember you need to have room for the popsicles to stand upright until they freeze. After they are frozen you can rearrange and make more space by stacking them on their side.

I can’t even begin to tell you how much EVERYBODY loved these. I’m talking adults and kids alike. I know the parents were not only pleased by how good they tasted but they also could rest easy that their kids weren’t getting loaded with artificial flavors, colors and sweeteners. Just look at these kids’ faces. I think the proof is in the smiles! How cute is Brooks?! He was so stoked to be hanging with some of the older boys.

Below are a few of our favorite combinations! I absolutely love the “bomb pop” shape!!!

Mango, Raspberry & Cream (aka layered perfection…HA!!)

Blueberry & Raspberry

Brooks definitely gave his stamp of approval on this one, but he didn’t dislike any of the flavors either! He has a hard life being our #1 taste tester. I LOVE how pensive he is in the second image. He takes his job very seriously.

Spicy Mango (my FAVORITE)

Use the mango base and add diced dried chili mango and Tajin to your desired level spiciness. Super tangy deliciousness with a little kick.

Last but certainly not least, the cocktail Popsicle. I love a good Michelada. When I saw this savory cutie out at a restaurant, I knew we needed to create a Team Sims version for our Popsicle post.

Michelada Popsicle:

Place all ingredients and blend until smooth –

• 2 cups diced tomatoes
• Juice of one lemon
• Juice of one lime
• Dash of Tapatio or your favorite hot sauce (to taste)
• 1-teaspoon Bragg’s liquid amino all purpose seasons
• Dash of celery salt

There is really no wrong way to make these! I would love, love, love to see any popsicles you make. Please share with me your recipes and we can do another post later with all of our favorites. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and getting to spend time with their families. I have a post coming up about surviving a road trip with a toddler. I think it’s perfect timing for the season of family road trips!