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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Fudgesicles & Strawberry Fruit Bars {kid's choice pops!}

Sometimes I find myself on a mission that invokes tunnel vision.  You may have noticed that this time, popsicles lay at the end of that tunnel.  Right in my direct line of vision.  Trying new and inventive varieties, in particular.  Now, there's nothing wrong with that.  Or so I thought.

My kids have a different take.  While sorting through the different sizes and shapes of pops wrapped in wax paper and layered into freezer bags, they'll heave a small sigh.  And come out empty handed.

Why can't we have any regular flavor popsicles?  Why aren't there any good popsicles in here?
Oh.  You mean you don't want tea or rum infused infused popsicles today darlings?  And carrots, while undetectable, are still not ideal?  Unctuous layers of toasted coconut isn't your thing?  What do you mean you don't want a bit of spice in your popsicle?

So I wonder aloud why I don't just pour Kool-aid into the molds and freeze them.  This of course earns nodding heads and smiles.  Sheesh.  No appreciation.

I nixed the Kool-aid and instead took requests.  What kind do you want me to make?  My youngest requested Fudgesicles and my daughter requested Strawberry.
I'm pretty sure my oldest is still holding out for Kool-aid.

Fudgesicles (Fudge Bars)

by Heather Schmitt-González
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes + time to freeze
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Keywords: dessert snack vegetarian chocolate milk popsicles American summer

Ingredients (4 (3 oz.) pops)
  • 2 Tbs. (21 g/¾ oz.) semi sweet chocolate chips (or chopped)
  • ⅓ c. sugar
  • 1 Tbs. cornstarch
  • 1½ Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1¼ c. whole milk
  • pinch salt
  • ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • ½ Tbs. (7 g/¼oz.) unsalted butter
Instructions
Place chocolate in bottom of a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir around a bit using a heat-proof rubber spatula until chocolate is melty.

Whisk in sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, milk, and salt. Raise heat to medium. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce to a slow simmer. Let cook until mixture thickens, ~5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla and butter. Let cool a bit.

Pour into popsicle molds and freeze until solid, adding sticks at the right time for your molds.

slightly adapted from On a Stick
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Strawberry Fruit Bars (Strawberry Popsicles)

by Heather Schmitt-González
Prep Time: 30 minutes + time to freeze
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Keywords: dessert snack vegan soy-free nut-free strawberries popsicles summer

Ingredients (8-10)
  • 4 c. fresh strawberries, hulled & quartered
  • ¾ c. superfine (or granulated) sugar
  • ½ c. water
  • 2 Tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
Toss strawberries with sugar in a small saucepan and let sit for 30 minutes, or until strawberries have begun to release their juices. Add water and place pan over medium heat. Simmer until just softened, ~5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.

Pour everything into blender and add the lemon juice and blend until smooth.

Divide mixture among popsicle molds and freeze until solid, adding sticks at the correct time for your molds.

slightly adapted from Paletas
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I am sharing this post with:
The Summer of the Popsicle 2012 at girlichef.com Tasty Tuesdays 33 shades of green tasty-tuesday-larger-logo1 hearthnsoul150 a little birdie told me rook no. 17

Would you like to comment?

  1. Gerry @ Foodness GraciousJuly 3, 2012 at 2:31 AM

    I totally get you, last nights dinner- bacon wrapped scallops with a white wine risotto, bloody tasty if I do say so myself. I asked the two monkeys and they're like, "yeah it's cool dad". I just sigh but I can't really complain as they did eat it :)
    Happy fourth..

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  2. I totally know where you're coming from ... But gotta keep the home peeps happy !

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  3. So refreshing Heather! I obviously need a larger freezer since I have run out of space completely.

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  4. Why does the junk taste so darn good?
    Love your fungicidal and especially your idea of using scrabble letters!

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  5. ha! Kids are great, aren't they. I'll get that sometimes...like..."oh, this is the best meal ever!" and yet it only gets half eaten. They're sweet and encouraging, but sometimes they just want good ol' kid food! ;)

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  6. Hehe I love your styling with the scrabble letters! So fun! :) And these pops sound DELISH!

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  7. Haha... I remember when we were kids, my mom made homemade chocolate pudding. None of us kids liked it... we wanted the "kind in the box". Typical of kids! Love fudgesicles!!

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  8. Katie@ Mexican WildflowerJuly 3, 2012 at 2:03 PM

    I really like your molds! Where did you find them?

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  9. Hi Katie. I bought the cylinder-shaped ones at the local dollar store $1.00 per mold of 8) and the others (fudgesicles) at Meijer (mainly in the MI, IN, OH area, I believe...) for about $3.00 for a mold of 4.

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  10. Oh my gosh Heather your children are absolutely adorable. I've never seen them before. As a grandmother of a boy and a girl, I think they they sure do deserve choosing their own flavors once in a while. Sorta like a Keep It Simple for the Kids kinda thing. I can't get over how precious they are. I'm glad to see the Fudgesicles, my personal favorite bar none! However, I am delighted to "meet" your children even more:)


    Thank you so very much for sharing...

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  11. gotta love kids!! your rocking the summer with so many great version of paletas. I am posting a few new ones next week. I'll send them your way for Summer of Popsicle!

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  12. Thanks Louise! They make an appearance ever once in a while ;) . My oldest usually dodges the camera, but the two younger ones don't mind. And yes, keeping it simple is sure to satisfy =)

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  13. ha! I love fudgesicles too, actually. And these are GOOOOOOOD!

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  14. Danielle ImstuffedJuly 3, 2012 at 9:08 PM

    is this kinda like...you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. Kids just don't appreciate the imaginative versions of food.

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  15. My mom used to make us fudgsicles and popsicles out of orange juice all the time! I'd probably choose one of those over most storebought fancy flavors any day...just for the nostalgia factor. But I'd probably choose one of your spruced up ones over one of hers. For the Heather factor. :P

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  16. This is so cute, I'm all for fudgsicles, although in my day, they were a 'light' dessert!

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  17. I'm going to have to try that fudgcicle recipe, those are my favorite from my childhood. Besides the red white and blue Popsicle, those were the best!

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  18. Your kids' reactions to your wonderful popsicles really made me smile! I've definitely been enjoying all your recipes for these delicious treats. Both the fudgesicles and the strawberry fruit bars sound lovely - and I'm especially pleased by the fudgesicle recipe. Popsicles/ fudgesicles don't really exist here in England - ice lollies and various ice cream bars do, but they just don't measure up to my childhood memories - many of which include fudgesicles!

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