POPSICLES!!!

                           

When the temperature reaches triple digits and the air is thick with humidity it's time to reach in the freezer for some delicious and icy popsicles!

We are experiencing a HEAT WAVE...AGAIN! So I was inspired to make my own frozen treats to keep on hand.

All I can say is S-L-U-R-P!!!

Making homemade popsicles is so much fun and they taste like heaven on a stick! Much better than the store bought kind!

With very little equipment, ingredients and time you can have a frosty, juicy, lip smacking snack! These luscious pops will make you very popular on hot days!

I made them all pink or pinkish for Pink Saturday, but get creative and whip up a flavor that freezes your tastebuds!

StoneGable Signature Pink Pop

aka~ Raspberry Pomegranate Mint

2 boxes of fresh raspberries or 1 large bag of frozen raspberries

1/2 cup pom juice (the real kind)

1/4 cup sugar (or splenda)

8-12 mint leaves

Process raspberries, pom juice and sugar in the blender or food processor until smooth. Strain seed through a fine sieve and return liquid to blender or food processor. Add mint leaves. Use the minimal amount, you can always taste it and add more!

Blend well.

Pour in popsicle mold and freeze for at least 4 hours. If you don't have a popsicle mold a paper cup, cupcake mold, drinking glass or anything that will hold liquid can be used. Just let it freeze for an hour or so and pop a craft stick into it. Then back into the freezer until completely frozen!

                                  

                    

Chocolate Raspberry Swirl

2/3 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1 TBS unsweetened cocoa powder

1 TBS corn syrup

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 container of chocolate yogurt

1 container raspberry yogurt

1 container vanilla yogurt

3 TBS sugar

In a saucepan mix chocolate chips, unsweetened cocoa powder, corn syrup and heavy cream. Heat until the chocolate chips have melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and add chocolate yogurt.

In a separate bowl, add raspberry yogurt, vanilla yogurt and sugar. Mix well.

Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap.

Spread chocolate over the bottom of the loaf pan.

Drop raspberry yogurt mixture in dollops on top of the chocolate.

Using a knife, make a figure 8 motion through the mixture until they swirl together.

Freeze for at least 6 hours.

Remove block of chocolate raspberry swirl from loaf pan to cutting board.

Cut into 1 1/2 inch slices.

Use a sharp knife to make a slit in the side of the bar and put the popsicle stick in the knife slit.

Refreeze to secure stick.  This will make a rich, thick and satisfying treat!!!!!

For added decadence, dip in melted chocolate and sprinkle with nuts. Freeze immediately!

Strawberry Vanilla Swirl

3 cups Strawberries

2 TBS sugar

1 container of vanilla yogurt

dash of vanilla

Combine strawberries and sugar in a food processor or blender until smooth.

Mix vanilla into the yogurt.

Using a popsicle mold, add 2 TBS vanilla yogurt to the bottom of each popsicle form. Add 2 TBS strawberry mixture on top of the vanilla. Continue to layer until full.

Using a knife, reach to the bottom of the mold and move knife in a figure 8 motion until swirled nicely.

Freeze for at least 4 hours.

These are just 3 of the myriads of scrumptious popsicle treats you can make to beat the heat this summer!