Blackberry Yogurt Swirl Paletas

   

    I know everyone is enjoying cool fall weather, but here it is still quite warm. The low was 73 today (and that was in the middle of the night) but I still wore a scarf and a cardigan to celebrate haha! I love autumn- crock pot meals, boots, football, pumpkin and salted caramel everywhere- it's a lot to love. But while it's still warm here, I'll be enjoying delicious frozen treats like these beautiful blackberry swirl paletas! 

    I made some full size pops and some tiny shot glass pops for quick snacking. I love the way the fruit complements the lemon-honey yogurt- a perfect combination of sweet, tart, creamy and cool. 

• What You'll Need:
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 lemon
• 1 1/2 cups plain unsweetened Greek-style yogurt

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 cups fresh blackberries or other berries of your choice
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• What To Do 
• 1. Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, just until the mixture comes to a boil and the sugar has dissolved.
• 
  
• 2. Rinse the lemon and then slice off the zest, but not the underlying pith, in long strips. (Save the underlying lemon for a different use.) Add the strips of lemon zest to the pan, lower the heat to medium, and simmer for 5 minutes. Let the syrup cool to room temperature. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve, then refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.
• 
  
• 3. Add the yogurt and honey to the chilled syrup and stir until thoroughly combined. Place some of the sweetened yogurt mixture into each of the molds, filling to about halfway.
• 
  
• 4. Place blackberries, a sprinkle of sugar and a couple of drops of water in a blender or food processor. Blend until a consistent textured liquid. Pour fruit into popsicle molds and swirl with a popsicle stick. Pour more yogurt mixture over to fill. 
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• 5. If using conventional molds, snap on the lid and freeze until solid, 3 to 4 hours. If using glasses or other unconventional molds, freeze until the pops are beginning to set (45 minutes to 1 hour), then insert the sticks and freeze until solid, 3 to 4 hours.

Recipe from Paletas by Fany Gerson 

Piña Colada Popsicles

I made these sweet and creamy dessert pops for youth group last week. They went super fast and unfortunately I didn't snap a picture. I used the leftover mixture to make a nice little virgin piña colada afternoon treat! However, even without the nicely staged and edited photos, I can vouch that these popsicles are quite delicious and very easy!

The recipe is ridiculously flexible- sub in coconut milk for cream of coconut, add mango or papaya, or garnish the pops with chunks of fruit. I have some cute popsicle molds that I found on sale at Wal-Mart for $1. However, if you don't have those, you can use ice trays (regular or water bottle style) with toothpicks or popsicle sticks. Another simple option is to use Dixie cups- 3oz disposable paper cups- with toothpicks, wooden ice cream spoons, or popsicle sticks.

What You'll Need:

1 banana

1 8 oz can crushed pineapple

1 10 oz can cream of coconut 

juice of one large lime

1 tsp vanilla extract 

What To Do:

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend well. Pour into molds. Allow pops to set for 30 min- 1 hour before adding popsicle sticks. Freeze for at least two hours- and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Loves Food and Art

Coffee Popsicles

These super simple popsicles are a great summer afternoon pick me up! I'm not a fan of artificial fruit flavoring so these provide an easy alternative. You can add and adjust the flavoring just like you would your own cup of coffee! I prepared my popsicles in an ice tray for ice that fits in bottled water. And if you decide that you don't want to worry about a dripping frozen treat, you can blend it up with milk for a frappe.

What You'll Need:
2 cups brewed coffee
1/2 cup half and half (more or less to taste)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp caramel syrup
Popsicle mold
Popsicle sticks

What To Do:
Brew the coffee and combine all other ingredients- be sure all the sugar is dissolved. Divide among the Popsicle mold, add Popsicle sticks and freeze for at least 4 hours! 

(The popsicle sticks will center more easily if you freeze the pops for about an hour before inserting them)

Easy peasy.