Who fondly remembers the ice cream truck coming around the corner on a hot summer day? It was always difficult for me to choose just one frozen goodie, but I definitely preferred ice pops to ice cream. Today, they're still my go-to summer sweet. Hoping to get a grown-up fix, I was psyched to test both homemade and store-bought ice pops with the Good Housekeeping Research Institute.
First up: I scoped out the newest molds for making your own. Homemade means you know exactly what's in the pop, and you get to customize to you heart's content. Fill your pop molds with fresh fruit, juices, yogurt, or whatever else you please (that comes in liquid form). We tested out quite a few products — definitely a nice job if you can get it.
First, we tried out some new, uniquely shaped molds that definitely up your dessert's fun factor, starting with the adorable and easy-to-clean silicone molds from Zoku. Using the Fish Pop Molds ($20), we made some cute sea creature ice pops. The popsicle sticks, shaped like tails, tentacles, and even scubadiver feet, completed the under-the-sea theme.
We also tried Zoku's more traditional-shaped Mini Pops ($17) for tiny round treats that are perfect for little eaters or dieting adults.
From Cuisipro, we tested Sailboat Pop Molds ($12, above left) with grown-up appeal and Robot Pop Molds ($12, above right) that would be cute for younger kids. We filled these molds with vanilla yogurt mixed with food coloring for a bright, colorful effect.
The last set we tried was Tovolo's Lollipop Pop Molds ($13). While the frozen pops were a bit difficult to remove from the molds, we loved the way they turned out. They really do look like frozen lollipops!
One downside of making your own pops? Waiting for them to freeze. If you don't have the time or patience, we also tried out some unusual new store-bought frozen treats. Wonka's Peel-A-Pops ($4.29 for a box of 8, above left) look and peel like a banana, but inside you'll find vanilla ice cream. The peel itself is edible and comes in two flavors: banana and grape.
If you're in the mood for a grown-up banana indulgence, DOLE Banana Dippers (About $3 for a box of 6, above right) will be right up your alley. These frozen bite-sized banana slices are coated in divine dark chocolate. Bonus: This treat will cure your craving for only 100 calories per pack of 4.
TELL US: What's your favorite popsicle flavor?
NEXT: DIY These Classic Ice Cream Parlor Toppings »
Jillian Urcelay is an intern in the Good Housekeeping Research Institute.
