Sumer Time Sweet Treat- Homemade Popsicles

Summer's not over yet and sometimes we all just want a tasty treat. Women's Health magazine was two steps ahead and released six recipes for frozen pops. I tried making the 'Blood Orange & Cream' pops twice. Below are two varieties of the recipe!

Orange & Cream Popsicle Version One

Ingredients:

1 small orange

1/8 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup orange juice pulp free

1/4 cup 1% milk

Directions:

1. Chop orange into small bite size pieces

2. On high, boil sugar and water stirring until water is dissolved.

3. Add oranges and lower heat. Stir for a minute or two.

4. Remove mixture from heat and add in vanilla, milk, and orange juice.

5. Pour mixture into popsicle molds.

6. Freeze for 8 hours!

Of Note:

Blood oranges are not in season in August so I used a regular navel orange. It wasn't my favorite, but it works. Blood oranges are in season in TX from December to March and in CA from November to May. (Courtesy of wiki.) I also used less sugar than the original recipe recommended.

Nutrition Facts:

68 calories per pop

Recipe makes 4 pops

Orange & Cream Popsicle Version Two

Ingredients:

1/4 cup sugar water/simple syrup

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup orange juice pulp free

1/2 cup 1% milk

Of Note:

Blood oranges are not in season and I didn't love the texture of the orange, so in round two I eliminated the orange. For anybody who likes to make delicious tasty (alcoholic) drinks, a typical staple is simple syrup. Why turn on the stove in the heat of the summer when simple syrup is sitting on the counter, waiting patiently to be used?! :) I also wanted more of the creamsicle-y feel so I increased the milk portion and decreased the OJ portion. The end product is a lighter in color popsicle with a more creamy texture! :)

Directions:

1. Mix simple syrup, vanilla, OJ, and milk together.

2. Pour mixture into popsicle molds.

3. Freeze for 8 hours!

Nutrition Facts:

75 calories per pop

Recipe makes 4 pops