Smoothie Popsicles August 25 2014
We don't have air conditioning, so my options for cooling off during the hot summer days are limited to frozen treats and cold showers (one is more pleasant than the other). But eating sugar laden or rich and creamy type treat everyday.. or twice a day.. isn't the best plan.
The solution? Smoothie popsicles! They're fruity, creamy, only slightly sweet pops that end up at less than 50 cal per popsicle.
The pops get their creaminess from two bananas and a 1/4 cup of plain greek yogurt. The fruitiness come from a combo of strawberries and raspberries, which can be fresh or frozen, and a splash of orange juice.
It all gets blended up together...
..until it's completely smooth.
I like my pops to be barely sweet, so I'd suggest giving the smoothie a taste and seeing if you need to add some honey or vanilla yogurt to get it to your preferred sweetness level.
Next, the smoothie is divided between ten popsicle molds leaving a half inch or so of head space. I like to add a dollop of vanilla yogurt to the base of each pop because it gets pushed through the center when you add the stick and gives it a shot of creamy vanilla flavor. Plus it looks pretty...which is extremely important.
I usually let my pops freeze overnight because it makes them easier to remove from the molds. Once they're good and frozen, just briefly run the mold under hot water, especially near (but not onto) the opening, then turn the mold so you are pulling the stick down, not up, and pull to release it from the mold.
Mmm.. cold and fruity with a hint of creamy with no dessert related guilt. Win win win!
Smoothie Popsicles
2 bananas
2 cups sliced strawberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1/4 cup 0% plain greek yogurt
1/3 cup orange juice
Vanilla greek yogurt to top (optional)
1. Blend the bananas, strawberries, raspberries, plain greek yogurt, and orange juice until completely smooth
2. Pour into ten popsicle molds leaving a 1/2 inch headspace.
3. Place a spoonful of vanilla greek yogurt on top of the molds. Add the sticks and freeze until completely firm (overnight is best). Run the molds briefly under hot water, pull to release the pop, and enjoy!