Summertime is here and cool popsicles are a must on a hot day. Sure you can buy a pack of popsicles at the grocery store, but this mama is trying to eliminate food dyes and increase the healthy desserts. With that goal I set forth to create festive fruit popsicles using a few ingredients I had on hand. And I used my newest kitchen appliance, the Ninja (which I absolutely LOVE! And am not paid to say that.)
Ingredients:
Red Mix:
- 6 strawberries
- 4 oz. container of strawberry yogurt*
- 1 tbsp. Low sugar strawberry jelly*
White Mix:
- 4 oz. Vanilla greek yogurt
- 1 tsp. Honey
- 1-2 tbsp. Water or milk
Blue Mix:
- 1/4 cup Blueberries
- 2 tbsp. Grape juice
- optional: 1 tsp. Blackstrap molasses (for added iron)
*After the fact, I realized that the Smucker’s Low Sugar Jelly has red dye (grrrrr.) For a healthier option, I’ll be using strawberry greek yogurt next time.
Instructions:
For the red mixture, blend strawberries with jelly and strawberry yogurt. Add water if you need a thinner mixture.
For the white mixture, blend greek yogurt, honey and water (or milk) until creamy.
For the blueberry mixture, blend blueberries, grape juice and optional just a dash of blackstrap molasses if you want to sneak some iron into the popsicle.
Pour mixtures into separate glasses for the popsicle assembly.
Begin by filling popsicle molds approximately 1/3 full with the strawberry mixture.
Set popsicle mold in the freezer for 10 minutes or until the mixture starts to firm up.
Remove the molds and add white mixture to 2/3 full. Set the mold back in the freezer for another 10 minutes or until the white starts to firm up.
Add the blueberry mixture last and gently insert the popsicle sticks into the popsicle mixture. Freeze for about an hour or until the popsicles are frozen solid.
Break out the popsicles during the hottest part of the day and enjoy! They make a festive treat for the 4th of July or any hot summer day.
That’s my son’s equivalent of a thumbs up sign! He loved the popsicles and I loved that they are a healthier alternative to store bought popsicles.
Can you think of some other healthy ingredients? Or ways to make more colored layers without dyes? I’d love to hear your ideas.
