HowTo: Make Delicious, Homemade Summer Popsicles

Nothin's better than freshly homemade popsicles in these hot summer months. Design Sponge has posted three delicious-sounding recipes by Ashley of Small Measure.

Ashley recommends stretching your imagination: "One recipe uses coconut milk as a base, another uses yogurt, and the last is fruit juice-based. Try them out and then manipulate them to your own specifications, preferences, and predilections!"

Want to pump your kids full of the good, healthy stuff? Ashley even found one mom who sneaks kale into her kid's pops!

Enjoy.

Recipes courtesy of Design Sponge:

The Coco Loco (Coconut milk-based)

You will need:

• 1 13.5 ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
  
• 1 c. chopped pineapple
  
• 1 ripe banana, lightly chopped
  
• 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
  
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
  
• A few grinds of fresh black pepper
  
• A few fresh mint leaves

Instructions:

• Toss everything into a food processor or blender.
  
• Puree until smooth (optional: you can leave some chopped bits whole).
  
• Pour into popsicle molds.
  
• Freeze until solid.
  
• Remove from molds (if necessary, run the molds for just a few seconds under hot water until they release).

The Raspberry Creamsicle (Yogurt-based)

You will need:

• 1 c. yogurt (we used Greek-style, which is thicker)
  
• 1 c. orange juice
  
• 1 c. raspberries (fresh or frozen)
  
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  
• 1/2 vanilla bean pod (scrape out seeds for popsicle, save the pod to use for infusing sugar)
  
• 1 Tbsp. agave nectar or honey

Instructions:

• Toss everything into a food processor or blender.
  
• Puree until smooth (optionally, you can leave some chopped bits whole, if that's your jam).
  
• Pour into popsicle molds.
  
• Freeze until solid.
  
• Remove from molds (if necessary, run the molds for just a few seconds under hot water until they release).

Lemon-Lime Ginger Pop (Fruit juice-based)

You will need:

• Juice of 2 lemons and 2 limes
  
• 1/2 c. granulated sugar
  
• 2 Tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
  
• Water and ice

Instructions:

• In a microwaveable container, place sugar and two cups of water. Heat for two minutes, stir, heat two additional minutes and then allow to sit for five minutes (alternately, you can make this simple syrup on the stove by gently heating the sugar and water together, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved).
  
• Add several ice cubes to the container and place in the refrigerator to cool for 10-15 minutes.
  
• Transfer contents to a larger container and add lemon and lime juices.
  
• Add enough water to make a total of 4 cups of fruit juice mixture and stir.
  
• Pour into popsicle molds.
  
• Freeze until solid.
  
• Remove from molds (if necessary, run the molds for just a few seconds under hot water until they release).

Thanks Design Sponge!