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Circling back to last year's Summer recipes this 4th of July. Celebrate with my fresh fruit pops with whatever you have on hand! Don't forget to let me know how yours turn out in the comments.

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Homemade Popsicles

One of my favorite things to make in the Summer, while the fruit is fresh, are popsicles. My kids enjoy chopping the fruit and of course eating them as a snack. Plus there's practically no prep time for most of these recipes. This first recipe is a Watermelon-Lime Pop that you could just as easily be substituted with any melon you prefer or pineapple. I'll also include the Guava-Dragonfruit as well as Mango-Coconut Lime.

Let's talk stabilizer

You'll see the option to include Xanthan Gum. This just stabilizes and emulsifies the natural fruit juice liquid with the solids and reduces ice crystals during the freezing process. Some of the recipes call for a Simple Syrup which, if concentrated and reduced can be used as an alternative stabilizer. If you don't care about an icy texture then don't sweat it, but if you're up for it order Xanthan and keep it in your pantry. It's a great substitute for cornstarch [well any starch] and flour.

Finding the right mold

Without much research I ordered my Miaowoof Homemade Popsicle Trays through Amazon. They came with everything you need: 10pc tray w/ top, infinite amount of wooden sticks, 10 reusable pop sticks, a ton of sealable freezer bags, a funnel, wash brush and a recipe book. The silicone is BPA free and super easy to unmold. I haven't had any issues with this product and highly recommend you buy it for your homemade popsicle trials

A note from Chef B

I hope you use these recipes as more of a guideline; either for a fun activity to do over the weekend or just to have more control over what you and your family consume. Feel free to rearrange flavor combinations or layer them for an awesome presentation. Planning an adult party? Add a splash of your favorite spirit, wine or seltzer for a boozy pop. Subscribe, share and tag me on social media if and/or when you decide to make these.

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Fresh Fruit Pops

Watermelon-Lime Fruit Pops - yields approximately 20 pops

Prep time: 30 minutes

Total freeze time: 4 - 5 hours

Ingredients

1/2 of a seedless watermelon - peeled and roughly chopped

2 1/2 cups Simple Syrup - follow recipe above

3 limes - zested and juiced

3/4 tsp Xanthan Gum - optional

Simple Syrup - yields approximately 1qt

2 cups granulated sugar

2 cups water

**In a pan combine sugar and water, bring to a boil, remove from heat and set aside to cool.**

Directions

Prepare your popsicle molds by insuring they are properly washed, sanitized and dry. Once your fruit and Simple Syrup are prepared go ahead and blend your watermelon, lime and simple syrup. Blend on high for 45-60 seconds. Then add your Xanthan and blend for about another 30 seconds to emulsify the mixture. If it seems as though your blender is going to overflow, I recommend dividing your mixture [before adding your Xasnthan Gum] and Xanthan in half and doing this step twice to insure your doing the proper ratio. Grab a pitcher [or something you can pour out of] to transfer your mix to. I like to put my silicone mold on a sheet tray to insure an even transfer to the freezer. Fill your molds to the line with your Watermelon-Lime juice, cover with the top, insert your wooden sticks and freeze for a minimum of 4 hours. If you're using the reusable pop sticks you'll have to freeze your pops halfway, place the pop sticks into the molds, THEN cover and continue freezing. When your pops are fully frozen remove them from the freeze, dip them in a hot bath for a quick second, unsold and wrap in the sealable bags.

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Guava-Drangonfruit Pops - yields approximately 10 pops

Prep time: 5 minutes

Total freeze time: 4 - 5 hours

Ingredients

28oz container of Guava Nectar - Giant keeps this item stocked in the international isle

1 dragonfruit - peeled and diced

1/2 tsp Xanthan Gum - optional

Directions

Prepare your dragonfruit as well as your silicone molds [insure that they are properly washed, sanitized and dry]. In a blender combine your guava nectar and Xanthan Gum. Blend on high for about 30-45 seconds before pouring it into your popsicle tray halfway up the sides. Cover and freeze for no more than 2 hours. Once the pops are semi-frozen. I like to squeeze each one - if they give and feel like a slushy, you're good to go. Uncover and add about a tablespoon or so of dragonfruit to each mold. Fill the remaining space with more guava nectar. With one of the popsicle sticks give the mixture a little stir to evenly disperse the fruit. Cover, insert your wooden sticks and freeze for at least another 2 hours. If you're using the reusable pop sticks you'll have to freeze your pops halfway, place the pop sticks into the molds, THEN cover and continue freezing. When your pops are fully frozen remove them from the freeze, dip them in a hot bath for a quick second, unsold and wrap in the sealable bags.

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Mango-Coconut Lime Pops - yields approximately 20 pops

Prep time: 30 minutes

Total freeze time: 4 - 5 hours

Ingredients

28oz container of Mango Nectar - Giant keeps this item stocked in the international isle

1 mango - peeled and diced

16oz can of coconut milk

2 1/2 cups lime Simple Syrup

Simple Syrup - yields approximately 1qt

2 cups granulated sugar

2 cups water

4 limes - zested and juiced

**In a pan combine sugar and water, bring to a boil, remove from heat and set aside to cool. Once room temperature add your lime zest and juice.**

Directions

Prepare your Simple Syrup, mango and your silicone molds [insure that they are properly washed, sanitized and dry]. In your blender pour in the Simple Syrup, coconut milk and Xanthan Gum. Blend on high for 30 - 45 seconds and set a side. Put about a tablespoon of your diced mango in the bottom of each mold. Then barely cover the mango with the mango nectar - shouldn't go higher than halfway up the sides. Cover and freeze for no more than 2 hours. Once the pops are semi-frozen. I like to squeeze each one - if they give and feel like a slushy, you're good to go. Uncover and pour in your coconut lime mixture to the top. Recover, insert your wooden popsicle sticks and freeze for at least another 2 hours. If you're using the reusable pop sticks you'll have to freeze your pops halfway, then place the pop sticks into the molds, THEN cover and continue freezing. When your pops are fully frozen remove them from the freeze, dip them in a hot bath for a quick second, unsold and wrap in the sealable bags.

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