By RMHP

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth With These Homemade Healthy Popsicles

Snacking on a popsicle is a refreshing way to cool off on a hot summer afternoon. But many store-bought popsicles contain artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, and other unhealthy ingredients. This summer, avoid the dessert aisle and try making your own healthy frozen treats at home. Here are three refreshing popsicle recipes that may satisfy your sweet tooth.

1. Fruit ‘n’ Yogurt Swirl Pops

This creamy and delicious fruit and yogurt popsicle can be a great snack for adults and children of all ages.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh or frozen fruit of your choice
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (only if you are using fresh fruit)
• 2 cups vanilla yogurt
• Ice pop molds
• 10 ice pop sticks

Directions:

Put the fruit and sugar in a food processor and blend until smooth. Pour into a resealable plastic bag. Spoon the yogurt into a separate resealable plastic bag. Using scissors, cut off a corner on each resealable plastic bag. Take turns squeezing the yogurt and fruit into the ice pop molds to create a swirl. Insert the sticks into the molds and freeze overnight.

2. Cherry Lemonade Popsicles

This recipe is inspired by lemonade, which some consider the unofficial drink of the summer season. Keep a batch of these sweet and tangy popsicles in your freezer for the whole family to enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh cherries, pitted
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 lemon, juiced

Directions:

Place the cherries, sugar, and lemon juice in a food processor and blend until smooth. Use the back of a spoon to push the puree mixture through a strainer. Pour the puree into the popsicle molds. Insert the sticks into the molds and freeze overnight.

3. Watermelon Popsicles

Impress your guests at your next summer barbecue with these  layered popsicles that resemble slices of watermelon. Kiwi and coconut milk are used to create the appearance of a rind, watermelon to create the appearance of the flesh of the fruit, and chocolate chips to create the illusion of watermelon seeds.

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups seedless watermelon, cubed
• 5 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup canned coconut milk
• 6 medium-sized kiwis
• 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Put the watermelon, sugar, and lemon juice in a food processor and blend until smooth. Skim the foam off of the top and pour the puree into 10 popsicle molds. Each mold should be about two-thirds full. Sprinkle the chocolate chips into each of the molds. You can use a popsicle stick to push the chocolate chips down further into the watermelon puree. Insert a popsicle stick into each mold and freeze for three to four hours.

Approximately 30 minutes before the freezing time is finished, whisk coconut milk and 1 ½ tablespoon of sugar together until the sugar has completely dissolved. Place this mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Remove the frozen popsicles from the freezer. Pour one tablespoon of coconut milk into each mold on top of the frozen watermelon puree. Place the molds back in the freezer for 45 minutes.

Peel the kiwis. Place the peeled kiwis and two tablespoons of granulated sugar in a food processor and blend until smooth. Remove seeds from the puree using a mesh strainer. Chill the strained kiwi puree for 30 minutes.

Remove the frozen popsicles from the freezer once more. Pour the kiwi mixture over the coconut milk and watermelon puree in each mold. Place the popsicles back in the freezer for two hours, then enjoy!