As the temperatures begin to rise, so do the voices of children looking for some sort of ‘cool down’ treat. And, Red, White & Blue Yogurt Freeze Pops are definitely on our menu to share. With the inclusion of low fat yogurt and seasonal fresh fruits, they’re a great alternative to ice cream and popsicles. In fact, they’re a treat the entire family will enjoy. This simple combination takes a bit of time in prep, but it’s festive for parties, Memorial Day picnics or simply just ‘because’. Not only are they delicious, there are many steps that allow children of all ages to participate in making this recipe at your from start to finish!
Red, White & Blue Yogurt Freeze Pops by Jodie Fitz
18 oz. containers low fat vanilla yogurt
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons lemonade concentrate
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
6 large strawberries, fresh
6 oz. blueberries, fresh
8 – 5oz. Paper Cups
8 craft sticks
Rinse the blueberries and set them aside. Rinse and hull the strawberries/remove the greens and set them aside as well.
Create the base of the pop by folding together the vanilla yogurt, honey, lemonade concentrate and vanilla extract together until it is smooth and thoroughly mixed. Divide the mixture into thirds so that you have three separate bowls of the yogurt mixture to work with.
Chop the strawberries in a mini chopper, blender or food processor and fold them into one third of the yogurt mixture. Evenly distribute the strawberry layer in the paper cups and place them into the freezer for 30 minutes.
Chop the blueberries in a clean mini chopper, blender of food processor and fold them into one third of the yogurt mixture and keep refrigerated until needed along with the vanilla third of the mixture.
After 30 minutes has passed, evenly distribute the vanilla layer into each of the cups and freeze them for an additional 30 minutes.
After the 30 minutes has passed, add the blueberry layer to the cups. Place a craft stick into the center of each pop and continue to freeze them over night before serving.
Makes 8 – 5 oz. yogurt pops
Craft Sticks: These can be found either at your local supermarket in the aisle with the school supplies or at your local craft store.
Removing the cups: I clip the edge and then peel away the cup before serving the pops. However, you can also dip the exterior into warm water to slip them off as another option for cup removal.
Lessons in Cooking: There are always life lessons and cooking skills to learn with every recipe made. And, there are ways to incorporate reading, math and time lessons. This recipe provides the perfect opportunity for children to set timers, record time and read clocks.
