Sugar Savvy

…Popsicles!

Thought I was going to say ice cream, right? True, ice cream is sweet and frozen, making it a very popular summer treat - one that probably always will make many a child and adult scream with joy. But for me, popsicles are the essence of summer when it comes to frozen treats. They take me back to the summers of my youth, running around barefoot with lips and tongue stained by the vivid array of colors from the day’s popsicles. Or to the afternoons spent inside devouring Jell-O Pudding Pops as I eagerly waited out the thunderstorms.

Ahh, Jell-O Pudding Pops, how I loved those creamy, pudding popsicles. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve randomly craved them as an adult. So I figured it was about time for an experiment - could I make my own pudding pops?

Chocolatey Vanilla Pudding Pops
Yields 8 popsicles

1(4 oz)package vanilla pudding
1/4 cup chocolate syrup
2 cups milk

Pour milk into small mixing bowl, add pudding mix. Whisk until combined. Pour 1 cup of pudding mixture into measuring cup. Divide evenly between popsicle molds or small paper cups. Add chocolate syrup to mixing bowl with remaining pudding mixture, whisk to incorporate. Pour chocolate pudding mixture evenly into popsicle molds or cups. Add caps to popsicle molds, or if using paper cups insert popsicle sticks into middle of cups. Freeze 5 hours or until firm.

Use any pudding flavor desired and omit chocolate syrup from recipe.