April 23, 2012

Ice Pops — Fizzy Mango Mint Popsicle, and Creamy Chocolaty Fudgesicle — hydrating summertime treats


Something about the balmy climate and fragrant flowers make me think of fluttery dresses and languid afternoons by the seaside. Happy thoughts.

Sunshine, sea, and a glass of ice cold drink, or cool dripping treat on a stick. Ooh la la.

Summer is the most glamorous of seasons to be lost in such golden daydreams.

And while there are 101 things I should be doing—most importantly get working on my email situation—all I really want to do is laze away the hours in sweet nostalgia, and fall asleep to dreams of a beautiful world filled with lots of love, laughter and happiness.

Lots. Yes, lots.


So, to kick off this sizzling season, and celebrate my 100th post (phew, finally!), here are two irresistible homemade treats from the freezer—ice pops or ice lollies.

Remember my popsicles from last summer? As the heat rises, I’m back with more delicious treats to cool off in style. This time I have a fruity flavor, and chocolaty flavor as well.

Fizzy mango mint popsicle, and creamy chocolaty fudgesicle—perfect treats for a hot summer day.

Pops really bring back lovely childhood memories—the joy of roaming around in the countryside, barefoot and messy haired, holding on to a cool, drippy treat, with twinkling eyes and a sweet wide grin. Ahh. I wish I could go back to those carefree days of childhood when there was no yesterday or tomorrow. Only today, or more importantly now existed—such sweet innocence.

Anyways, I’ve grown up slurping fruity plastic tube pops, known as sip-up, available at the local roadside stores back home, regardless of the weather. Even today, I just can’t pass up the appeal of icy pops. Well, there’s almost no other treat that you can lick, sip, drink, or bite—now, is there? Pops are not just plain fun to eat, they are hydrating for the summer weather, and a cool way to boost your energy levels. All you need is some popsicle molds or ice trays, few pop sticks or tongue depressors (check pharmacy), and you are ready to make your own healthy version of this summer staple.

Go mix a batch to serve up summer nostalgia—fruity mango, or creamy chocolate. Your kids will love them. So will you.

Creamy Chocolaty Fudgesicle

A bite of this fudgesicle is like feasting on a slice of frozen hot chocolate. And there’s no better way to satisfy your sweet tooth than with decadent chocolate treat—and that too in popsicle form. Perfect for the weather!

Calorie-wise, it’s more of an indulgence than a healthy treat. I made it low-cal by using low-fat milk, and light double cream. Sugar is important to lower the freezing point, yielding softer pops, so don’t completely skip it.

Without further ado, here’s the recipe for creamy, rich, and refreshing fudgy frozen goodness. Time to indulge!


Creamy Chocolaty Fudgesicle

Ingredients
Makes 4 ice pops, depending on your mould
Prep: 10 minutes, plus freezing

¼ cup low-fat double cream (I used Elmlea double light)
½ cup low fat milk
50g milk chocolate (I used Dairy Milk), broken into chunks
2 teaspoon cocoa powder
4 teaspoon sugar, or to taste

Directions

Place chocolate chunks in a microwave safe bowl, and melt chocolate on high power for 60-90 seconds or until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Stop every 30 seconds, and stir. Take care not to burn chocolate by overcooking.

In a separate bowl, microwave cream, milk, cocoa powder and sugar, on high power for a minute. Remove from oven, and whisk until cocoa is dissolved. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, into the melted chocolate, pressing with a rubber spatula to blend in any cocoa solids. Whisk again until smooth.

Allow to cool slightly, then pour the mixture into popsicle molds. If you don’t have pop molds use plastic cups or paper cups. Cover with a layer of plastic wrap, and freeze for about 1 hour. Now inserts pop sticks into each mold through small holes in the wrap to make them stand up straight.

Freeze until solid, about 8 hours, or preferably overnight for optimal curing.

Run the mold under warm water for 5 seconds, the pops will slide out easily. Serve immediately, before they start to weep.



Fizzy Mango Mint Popsicle

I’ve frozen some sunshine in a mold, care to taste it?

Mango, mint and sprite. In ice pop form. Can you imagine anything more cooling on a hot summer day?

This mango variation is dairy-free, and really delicious. Perfect for outdoor summer events. And the best part is, they are effortless, and can be made ahead.

Take advantage of the mangoes in season, and make this fizzy, refreshing, sunny colored ice pop. You can thank me later!
Fizzy Mango Mint Popsicle

Ingredients
Makes 4 ice pops
Prep 10 minutes, plus freezing

1 mango (I used Alphonso)
1 can Sprite, 330 ml
sugar, to taste
10 fresh mint leaves
juice of 1 lime
8 redcurrants, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Blend the mango, sprite, sugar and lime juice in a blender or food processor until smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed—remember the mixture should taste slightly sweeter in the liquid form to get the right sweetness when it is frozen.

Place two redcurrants, if using, in each of the four popsicle molds or disposable cups. Fill with the mango mixture, leaving a bit of headroom at the top, as the pops will expand. Freeze for about 40 minutes or until the pops begin to set, then insert pop sticks into each mold. Continue to freeze until firm—about 5 hours, or overnight, or upto 2 weeks.

To remove, run the molds quickly under hot water, and gently pull out the pops.

Eat. Lick. Drink. Sip. Bite. Enjoy!


60 comments:

  1. Oh My God... What a awesome clicks... Cannot removed eyes from the pictures...

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  2. Oh God what r these they r super awesome clicks n popsicles love the mango ones esp..

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  3. Though I am a chocolate person, in this case, I am more for the mango mint popsicle. It looks so very summery!

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  4. I am in two minds ....which one to pick up first choclate or mango ??? it is always a pleasure watching your pictures dear...this is an art...Awesome clicks

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  5. what lovely treats on sticks!

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  6. not yet popsicle weather here so im gonna have to pass at the moment. i like the fizzy addition to the mango one. a must try im sure.

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  7. COngrats on 100th post..Superb is not enough 2 describe those fotos...very very tempting fotos

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  8. Congrats on your 100th post ...and trust me drooling here ...everything is so fab

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  9. Congrats on ur 100th post, i dont mind relishing that yummy chocolate pops,simply irresistible.

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  10. congrats on the milestone!!! and what an awesome post!!! I'm going to try both these very shortly!!! beautiful snap that makes it all the more mouthwatering!!

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  11. I wish i cud grab that mango popsicle..! I bet that must be absolutely refreshing!

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  12. tempting popsicle. Wish to have that.

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  13. Congrats on the century. Awesome clicks and it's difficult to choose which one's better.

    JOIN ME THIS MONTH IN APRIL EVENT- ‘ONLY’ SNACKS & STARTERS + COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY

    FOODELICIOUS

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  14. Awesome flavors, both are delightful! Congrats on your 100th post dear!

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  15. Superb...just cant take eyes off the clicks...Congrats on your 100th post...

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  16. mmmm.... want to have all. Can't bear the heat here in Banglore. Its so so hot and simply by seeing your clicks mouth is watering dear. Amazing.

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  17. I made something similar with mango & fresh basil last summer. Mint sounds so refreshing! Pass me a popsicle or two :)

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  18. Awesome ..so tempting and delicious!!!loved to have these in this hot season...your photography skill is superb..excellent!!!

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  19. Nice blog with tempting photos....
    happy to follow u....

    Shabbu's Tasty Kitchen

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  20. Congrats dear on ur 100th post !! Keep rocking !! Awesome and brilliant photography !! Nice and tempting pops for sunny days !!

    Ongoing event CC:Spring Seasonal Food

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  21. looks delicious..awesome n mind blowing pic yaar............how can u do these all.great work......cant wait to taste those..vl grab 4m my notebook it self........muy rico..estoy loco ahora........
    maha

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  22. popsicles look wonderful lovely pictures

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  23. I love the name fudgesicle .. it automatically makes me drool! And that mango mint .. lovely flavor combo. Such gorgeous photos Sweetie and I would say .. continue having fun. Not that we get chance to be lazy all the time.

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  24. i L.O.V.E your pictures!! :) and your choice of props! the heat here is killing, and those popsicles look like something from the promised land! :)

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  25. so tempting... :P...

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  26. Bangalore is HOT right now. Looking at these treats makes me make some asap. That chocolate popsicles look soooo creamy! Beautiful!

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  27. you have got a neat space here ..awesome snaps ...perfect for hot weather

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  28. Awesome and lovely clicks....

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  29. suerb dear...kothippichu.......congrats on your 100th post.....

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  30. Thank you for visiting my blog. I love the way you have photographed popsicles.Cannot get any better. I had to sit for a few seconds and enjoy the mango popsicle, it looks so perfectly appetizing to me. I am also so happy to follow your blog.

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  31. Congrats on your 100th dear,wonderful post,mind blowing..can't help drooling,but still I am going back and looking at those pic..so tempting.

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  32. Irresistible ice pops dear! You are really creative...love the shots!!!

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  33. Irresistible ice pops dear! You are really creative...love the shots!!!

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  34. You really have a way of making me drool with your pictures...Lovely presentation. This is just a simple recipe, but the way you have presented it is so amazingly adorable! I am craving!

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  35. This is going on my next summer lunch party menu!!...what does sprite do to the mixture? can it be substituted with water? trying to watch my weight here hence asking....

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    Replies
    1. Sprite gives it a bubbly twist--the lemon-lime soda taste is really appealing. But if you want to omit the soft drink, use water as a substitute. Good luck!

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    2. Thank u for the response :)

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  36. Pics are delicious!! There is an award waiting for you on http://supriyajm.blogspot.com/search/label/Awards

    I have tried the rogan josh and it was superb.

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  37. Thanks for popsicle recipes:) I was thinking just the other day, I needed to start making some frozen treats for my kids. They'll love your Fudgesicle pops! Also, your pictures are beautiful. Have a great day:)

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  38. Those mango pops sound so refreshing!

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  39. oooh! just what i need... congrats on the 100th post, its perfect! sprite in a popsicle, now thats genious

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  40. Fully hydrated and refreshed....if things like this are to be posted during summers then no one would want the summer to go off.....:-) Deadly yummy post.....i more i see the pics....the more i drool.....

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  41. Nashi, your photographs are always the best!!! Wish I could lop off the popsicle from them - they seem quite tangible :)

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  42. Congrats on your milestone and many hugs!

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  43. I can imagine the little Nashi running around flower gardens and enjoying every sunset with a sip-up in hand :) How cute that is! Loved the fizzy twist to the frozen delights! And the chocolaty one - Im dreaming about it day and night... truly stunners as are the pics and your fabulous blog! Congrats Nashi! Keep writing and clicking and tempting us with such drool-worthy and beautifully captured pics! If u ever publish a cookbook, make sure you take the pics for it as well.. And I definitely want a copy!

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  44. Nashi, your posts, your writing, your pictures and your recipes - they all say so much about the bright, lively, cheerful, creative person you are! Loved reading this post and picturing you as a little kid running around with ice-pops :D
    You know what you call sip-ups, we used to call pepsi! and this was way before the advent of the Pepsi drink in India... i think they are all vernacular variations of Ice-pops! hahaha!
    As usual, your pictures are mesmerising... sigh! you make me envious, girl!

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  45. Nashi, :( I wish I never grew up. Seems like too long ago when we jumped the wall of our school to buy sipups and got caught by our Principal..! Kinda fits the Advert punchline... No one ca eat just one..!

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  46. oooooo....wwwwwwooow...I'm speechless actually...amazing cliks with lovely presentation

    Tasty Appetite

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  47. Hi Nash! Your writing is so dreamy! Here the weather is back to cold again after having a couple of days of summer weather. I can't wait to start making ice pops again. I can have at least 3 mango one! =)

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  48. Beautiful frosted treats. The photography is exquisite, all the way through.

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  49. Gorgeous pictures! It is so hard to choose one from these yummy treats! Fantastic!!!

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  50. This blog was... how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found
    something which helped me. Thanks!
    my site :: mcallen

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  51. Ah summer on a stick, can't beat ice pops during the hotter months.

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  52. awesome photos. my mouth is watering now. send some here

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  53. Wow your pictures are so beautiful, love the bright sunlight in each click...so dreamy!

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  54. AnonymousMay 05, 2012

    I just stumbled across your blog and am so glad that I did. I am now your new happy follower. Your recipes and photos are gorgeous.

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  55. THOSE are the molds I want!!! Where did you get them?

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A million thank you's for stopping by, taking the time to connect, and coming back to visit again. I genuinely appreciate each of your kind thoughts, lovely words, love and support. Happy, happy to hear from you, and hope to see you again!

♥ Nashi