Greek yogurt ice pops (an easy summer treat)

One is the timeless summer desserts growing up was a popsicle. Usually made with ice, sugar, and fruit, it was the ideal treat for a day by the pool and lounging in the sun. Another favorite was frozen yogurt. Served with sprinkles in a cup and wooden spoon, you would have to eat it fast before it melted.

That's why I decided to try and make some frozen yogurt pops that can be made to enjoy all year round sans the messy bowl and spoon. All you need are some paper cups and wooden sticks and the flavor combos are endless.

I choose to use a flavored greek yogurt because it'll add the needed sugar without overpowering the flavor. That with pieces of fruit will create the perfect ice pop. Greek yogurt provides a denser pop that has less liquid than traditional yogurt. It freezes well and gives that tartness that works well with fruit!

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Some combos you can make are:

Strawberry fruit pieces and coconut greek yogurt

Blueberry fruit pieces and lemon greek yogurt

Raspberry fruit pieces and peach greek yogurt

Pomegranate fruit pieces and pineapple greek yogurt

Candied lemon rind and honey greek yogurt

or you can be really creative and make your own unique flavor!

For this 3 ingredient recipe, all you need are yogurt, berries/fruit, and a sweetener of your choice if you choose to sweeten the yogurt a little further to taste.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups berries or fruit of your choice (I would cut up bigger fruit into small pieces and remove the skin if able. You want the fruit small enough to fit into the popsicle mold)

2 cups of your flavored greek yogurt of choice

1-2 Tablespoons of sweetener (Of course you can leave this out if you want a tarter yogurt pop)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Using a high-speed blender or food processor, blend just the fruit until pureed.

2. In a large bowl add the fruit to the greek yogurt, stir gently, and fully combine. Add sweetener to taste.

Now you can prepare these two ways:

1. Pour evenly into paper hot/cold cups, put onto a cookie sheet, and freeze for an hour. The mixture should be firmer and you can insert the wooden stick in and then freeze for another 5-6 hours or overnight.

2. Or use a popsicle mold. Pour the mixture into the ice pop molds and push a stick about two-thirds of the way into each mold after about an hour of freezing.

3. Freeze for at least 4 more hours.

To release, run under hot water for 20 to 30 seconds, then twist the stick gently and pull.

Since the fruit and yogurt are all different nutrition-wise, please enter all the info into MyFitnessPal for a better calorie count.

ENJOY!!