How to Make Healthy Ice Pops
July 13, 2012
•Le Cordon Bleu
•St. Louis
• 0 Comments
How to Make Healthy Ice Pops
At Missouri culinary schools, nothing says summer like the sweet icy deliciousness of a popsicle. From barbeques to ball parks, nothing is more refreshing on a hot day. Not only can this indulgence be made right in your own kitchen, but by picking the right ingredients you can make pops that are healthy enough to make moms happy but tasty enough that kids won’t know the difference. Follow these steps and you are guaranteed to start a new summer tradition in your home.
Before You Start
The first thing you will need to do is assemble a few supplies. Many grocery and kitchen supply stores sell Popsicle molds. These work well at home but if you don’t feel like making the investment there are things lying around your kitchen that will work just as well. For small children, Dixie cups make great impromptu molds. For bigger kids try Styrofoam coffee cups or 6oz paper cups. To make mini pops, ice cube trays will work in a pinch. If you don’t have Popsicle sticks on hand, coffee stirrers, or even spoons will work. For healthy pops you will want to buy only the freshest ingredients. Start with 2 cups of fresh fruit and a cup of 100% fruit juice. Set up your blender - you will use it to puree your fruit and blend it with fruit juice.
Step 1: Rinse your fruit. Strawberries and bananas are always a hit but any fruit will do. Blueberries are great for added antioxidants and oranges will give you an extra dose of vitamin C. Dice fruit into small pieces no bigger than 1 inch cubes and add to blender.
Step 2: Add 1 cup of fruit juice to blender and turn on high until the fruit is mostly pureed but small bits remain.
Step 3: Pour the fruit and juice mixture into molds or cups. This should yield 8 small or 4 large pops. Place cups in freezer for 1 hour or until slightly firm.
Step 4: Add your sticks or spoons to cups and return to freezer for another 2 hour or until completely frozen.
Step 5: Remove your Popsicle from the mold or cup and enjoy!
Once you’ve mastered these fun and easy pops there are some great variations you can try. If you prefer a creamy texture, try adding a cup of plain yogurt to your fruit mixture. The texture of your pops can be varied by either making your blended mixture very smooth or by leaving big chunks of fruit. If you prefer a slightly sweeter pop, add a little honey or sugar substitute to the mixture. Try avoiding refined sugar as it will counteract the health benefits of your fruit. Soy milk can be added instead of yogurt for a dairy free creamy pop. For a zesty flavored pop on a hot day try combing lemonade with your choice of fruit.
This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in St. Louis. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in St. Louis offers culinary arts and pâtisserie and baking training programs in the St. Louis, Missouri area. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit Chefs.edu/St-Louis for more information.
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