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Healthy Ice Cream Alternatives You'll Scream For

Leta Shy — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:33:46 PDT

The unofficial kickoff to Summer is this holiday weekend, and while it may not be sizzling yet, nothing says holiday celebration quite like a healthy barbecue. But if you're in need of a creamy cold treat, you don't have to sabotage all the bikini prep you've been doing. Here are a few delicious alternatives to regular old ice cream!

Scream For It! Peanut Butter and Chocolate Popsicles

Lauren Hendrickson — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 05:37:37 PDT

There are certain things in this world that are a natural match made in heaven; the pairing of peanut butter and chocolate is one of those combinations in my book. Everyone's seen this in ice cream, but I decided that it's time for a peanut butter pop dipped in some choc!

I used all-natural peanut butter since I had it on hand, but a traditional store-bought peanut butter like Skippy or Jif would make a better base, as the flavor is more intense. Since these little guys are exceptionally rich, keeping these popsicles on the miniature side is key (if you don't have small popsicle molds, use tiny paper cups or shot glasses instead). The chocolate shell needs to be cool to room temperature to ensure you don't melt the popsicles while dipping. Once dipped, however, the popsicles are ready to eat; alternatively, store them in the freezer until you're ready to serve them.

If you, too, are a peanut butter-and-chocolate fiend, bust out your popsicle sticks and get to freezing these easy chocolate and peanut butter packed popsicles. Read ahead for the recipe.

Which Popular US Chain Restaurant Dish Has More Calories?

Heather Dale — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 03:14:24 PDT

They tempt our tastebuds and add inches to our waistlines. As Sheryl Crow would say, "If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad." Unfortunately this isn't the case with these popular dishes from various chain restaurants across the US. Take this quiz to see what the results are - I promise some shockers!

Source: Flickr User tedeytan

Take the Quiz

What Went Wrong? Popsicles Breaking

Katie Sweeney — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:58:38 PDT

There's nothing more discouraging than a failed first attempt at making something - and this is exactly what happened to me when I tried to make popsicles! I was so excited to finally get a set of molds that I immediately went home to put together some delicious pops. There were a few almost-too-ripe bananas on the kitchen counter; thus, I decided to make this recipe for banana blueberry swirl popsicles.

The process was super easy and the resulting mixture was finger licking good. I placed the pops in the freezer and anxiously waited for them to freeze. However, several hours later, I couldn't get the popsicles to come out of the molds. I ran the molds under warm water, but to no avail. It was horribly disappointing and I'm not sure what went wrong. Has this happened to you? What's your technique for unmolding popsicles?

Fun and Fruity Ice Pops to Beat the Summer Heat

LilSugar — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:25:49 PDT

Feel the freeze! There's nothing better than a cold snack on a hot Summer day. Fight the smoldering Summer heat by cooling down with these pretty fresh fruit ice pops. They're so easy to make that you'll enjoy making them just as much as tots will enjoy eating them!

Source: Matthew Klein

Keep reading for the cool and tasty recipe.

Jump Aboard the Spiked Popsicle Bandwagon

Susannah Chen — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 03:04:17 PDT

When the mercury rises, there's no more nostalgic way to cool off than with a good, old-fashioned fruit popsicle. But these days, restaurants, food trucks, and liquor brands are starting to serve grown-up ice pops spiked with a little shot of something extra.

I asked author, Grey Goose mixologist, and boozy ice pop extraordinaire Nick Mautone to offer some tips for making your own spiked paletas at home. To see his suggestions, read on.

Freeze Your Way to Key Lime Pie Pops

Lauren Hendrickson — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 04:39:21 PDT

This month, skip baking a key lime pie for these key lime pie popsicles. Trust me: not only will your house be cooler, but these ice pops are just as delicious as a piece of pie. This particular recipe is relatively easy; all you do is stir everything in a bowl and get your molds ready to freeze. I made mine extra-zesty, but feel free to alter the amount of lime juice and rind to suit your taste. Once your pops have frozen solid, give them a quick dip in crumbled graham crackers to complete the pie flavor. Enjoy each bite of these crunchy and creamy pops by reading more for the recipe.

Beat the Heat With These Cool Popsicles

Lauren Hendrickson — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:44:56 PDT

No matter what age you are, popsicles are always a perfect treat for the Summer. They're incredibly easy to make and require little equipment. Much like ice cream, the flavor possibilities are endless - from a simple fresh fruit pop to a more creative margarita paleta. So, on your next grocery run don't forget the dixie cups and popsicle sticks and make room in your freezer for homemade popsicles!

Red, White, and Blue Pops For a Festive Fourth

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:16:35 PDT

The fireworks aren't the only thing that will be popping this Fourth of July! Ice cold popsicles not only beat the heat but can also provide grownups and kids with a refreshing mid-afternoon treat. Jumping on the red, white, and blue bandwagon, these ice pops use fresh watermelon, lemons, and blueberries to create a cold and colorful presentation. Best of all, kids will love having a hand in creating the triple decker effect.

Get the recipe with step by step photos when you

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Watermelon, Lemonade, and Blueberry Ice Pops
From Bon Appetit magazine

Ingredients

Watermelon ice

2 1/2 cups 1/2-inch cubes seeded watermelon (from 2-pound piece)
1/4 cup sugar

Lemon ice
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Blueberry ice
2 cups fresh blueberries (from three 1/2-pint containers)
1 cup water
5 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
8 5-ounce disposable paper cups
8 ice pop sticks or wooden coffee stirrers

Directions

For watermelon ice: Blend watermelon and sugar in processor until smooth. Strain puree into bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much fruit as possible. Place cups in shallow baking pan. Spoon watermelon puree into cups, dividing equally (scant 3 tablespoons each). Freeze until mixture is almost frozen, about 2 hours. Cover cups with rounds of foil, sealing tightly at edges. Using tip of small knife, make 1/4-inch slit in center of each foil cover. Push ice pop stick through slit and securely into watermelon ice without hitting bottom of cup. Freeze until watermelon ice is solid, about 1 hour longer.
For lemon ice: Bring 1/2 cup water and sugar to boil in heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Mix in lemon juice, orange juice, and vanilla. Cool to room temperature.Place pan with frozen pops on work surface; carefully fold back foil over each cup without dislodging stick. Spoon lemonade into cups, dividing equally (scant 3 tablespoons each). Reseal foil. Freeze until lemonade layer is solid, about 2 hours.
For blueberry ice: Stir blueberries, 1 cup water, and sugar in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Boil until berries are very soft, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Strain mixture into small bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much fruit as possible. Mix in lemon juice. Cool to room temperature. Place pan with frozen pops on work surface; carefully fold back foil over each cup without dislodging stick. Spoon blueberry mixture into cups, dividing equally (generous 3 tablespoons each). Reseal foil. Freeze until pops are frozen solid, about 8 hours.

(Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.)

Remove foil, then tear or use scissors to cut cup off each pop; return ice pops to pan and freeze until ready to serve.

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5 Cool Popsicle Makers

LilSugar — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:51:12 PDT

Kids slurp down tons of frozen treats during the Summer, but store-bought frozen pops can be full of sugar and scary, unpronounceable ingredients. We've included five pop molds for you to try out at home. The varieties are endless, so be creative and toss in ripe fruit, yogurt, honey, or whatever you desire.