Easy Homemade Fruit Pops

When you or the kids want something cool and refreshing on a warm day, there are few things more satisfying than a frozen popsicle. While all grocery stores sell both the simple, old-fashioned popsicles as well as more upmarket, specialty frozen fruit treats on a stick, why spend all of that money, or get something with ingredients you neither want nor need? Making fruit pops at home is easy, fun and about as cheap as it gets. It is also, as we say at Cultivate California, a great way to “Keep the State On Your Plate.”

There are many good reasons why it is better to make fruit pops at home instead of buying them. Besides being able to control what ingredients go into the pop, you can involve the kids in making frozen fruit pops. American farmers, and especially those in California, grow and sell just about every fruit imaginable which makes for great frozen fruit pops and a tasty way to “Keep the State On Your Plate.”

Before starting out you will need something to use as a mold for your pops. This can be a simple ice cube tray or a plastic ice pop mold from a store – most are very inexpensive. You will also need a pack of popsicle sticks – or something that can stand in for them. Many ice pop molds sold in stores or online come with reusable plastic holders. Small plastic cups or small paper cups will also do in a pinch.

(Recipe makes about two dozen large fruit pops)

Equipment:

• a blender
• an ice cube tray, store-bought ice pop mold, plastic/paper cups or something similar
• popsicle sticks or the equivalent
• a freezer

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc. - or a mix).
• 1 lemon or orange
• 1/2 cup of juice (apple juice is best, but grape, cranberry or any fruit juice works)
• 4 tablespoons of honey (to give it all something to stick to)

Directions:

• Combine ingredients in the blender
  1. Wash the berries and toss them into the blender
  2. Juice the lemon/orange, and pour the juice into the blender
  3. Pour the apple/grape/cranberry, etc. juice into the blender
  4. Spoon the honey into the blender

• Now, run the blender until thoroughly blended and smooth.

• Pour the mixture into the molds (or cups or ice cube tray etc.) (If you have more mixture than cups/molds, don't worry – you can just put a lid on it, refrigerate it and use it to make more later)

• Cover the mold (or the individual cups) with foil or their lids.

• Poke a popsicle stick or other holder through the foil.

• Place the mold or cups or tray of cups in the freezer, and leave them there for at least 4 to 6 hours, or, even better, overnight.

Serving Suggestions:

Place the mold or cups in a bowl of hot water for a few seconds, but only just enough to be able to pull the pops out by the handle.

Now, instead of just “Keeping the State On Your Plate” – you're holding it right in your hand!