frozen fruit popsicles for taste of home (Inspired to Share)

I have some fun news about a recent project that I’ve been waiting to share for a while now…I’m in print!!

For months it has been my goal to connect with Taste of Home - a brand I respect that is also located in Milwaukee. Well it finally came true: I was honored to work with them on the recipe development for their Frozen Desserts June edition! The project was to create several fruit popsicle recipes. There were a few specific guidelines; most importantly the popsicles needed to have fresh fruit, be kid-friendly, and be made with 3 oz. plastic cups. I had so much fun working on this project. What a pleasant surprise to see the popsicles (and my name!) on the cover, too!

Long story short, I am now the popsicle lady. They are on newsstands now if you’d like to pick up a copy! Now that it’s published, I’m excited to share with you what I came up with ( some behind-the-scenes)…

The three published popsicle recipes include strawberry citrus (strawberry, orange, & pineapple), mixed berry with yogurt, and pineapple-kiwi (this was my favorite!).

To make truly homemade popsicles (with wooden sticks and without any fancy popsicle molds or makers), take an aluminum foil square and cut a small slit in the center. Use the foil to hold the popsicle stick in place while freezing each layer.

Keep reading for the full recipes and instructions…

Strawberry-Citrus Freezer Pops

Prep: 20 min. freezing
Makes: 10 pops

2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
6 Tbsp. water
1 Tbsp. sugar
10 plastic or paper cups (3 oz. each) and wooden popsicle sticks
2 cups clementine segments (about 10), seeded if necessary
6 Tbsp. orange juice

Place strawberries, water and sugar in a food processor; pulse until combined. Divide among cups. Top with foil and insert sticks through foil. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
Wipe food processor clean. Add clementines and orange juice; pulse until combined. Spoon over strawberry layer. Freeze, covered, until firm.

Frozen Berry & Yogurt Swirls

Prep: 15 min. freezing
Makes: 10 pops

2 3/4 cups fat-free honey Greek yogurt
10 plastic or paper cups (3 oz. each) and wooden popsicle sticks
1 cup fresh berries
1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp. sugar

Divide yogurt among cups. Place berries, wate and sugar in a food processor; pulse until combined. Spoon over yogurt. Using a pop stick, stir mixture to swirl.
Top cups with foil and insert sticks through foil. Freeze until firm.

Frozen Pineapple-Kiwi Pops

Prep: 20 min. freezing
Makes: 1 dozen

3 cups cubed fresh pineapple
1 cup water, divided
8 tsp. sugar, divided
12 plastic or paper cups (3 oz. each) and wooden pop sticks
2 cups sliced peeled kiwifruit (about 6 medium)

Place pineapple, 1/2 water and 4 tsp. sugar in a food processor; pulse until combined. Divide among cups. Top cups with foil and insert sticks through foil. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
Place kiwifruit and the remaining water and sugar in food processor; pulse until combined. Spoon over pineapple layer. Freeze, covered, until firm.

Just for fun, here’s one more type that wasn’t published (above). It’s basically strawberries and mint frozen in lemonade as well as kiwi and mint frozen in limeade. :)

If you need a sweet treat to beat the heat (sorry, just had to rhyme:), I hope you enjoy! I worked on these when it was still cold out so I’m really enjoying them now that it’s summer and hot. Yum!

Happy summer and hope you have a great Fourth of July!