Warm weather is upon us. You're finally exposed to temperatures that call for frozen relief this time a year. Indulge a little this summer and whip up some seriously yummy frozen delights for family and friends. Plus, you can work off any extra calories outside in the beautiful weather.
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Fro-Yo Pops
(Adapted from Liz Applegate's article "Treat Yourself: Refuel and rehydrate with homemade frozen pops" from the August 2009 issue as Runner's World.)
What you'll need:
- 1 cup plain or flavored kefir
- 1 cup mixed summer fruit (berries, peaches, plums)
- 1 tablespoon honey
Toss all ingredients into a blender. When finished blending, pour into ice pop molds and freeze for 3 hours. These healthy summer pops give you calcium, protein and probiotics from the kefir, which also increases your immunity. Berries and fruit are also packed with antioxidants that help your body fight off disease.
If you are unfamiliar with kefir, you aren't alone. Although still somewhat of a novelty, it has grown in popularity in recent years and you can now find it in your local grocery store. It is similar to yogurt in that it is cultured, and filled with enzymes to help supplement your digestive tract function. It is also full of complete proteins, minerals and B vitamins.
Gingersnap-Banana Frozen Yogurt
(Adapted from Eating Well Magazine's March/April 2008 issue)
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Serves: 4 | Active Time: 10 min. | Total Time: 20 min. |Calories: 287
What you'll need:
- 2 cups vanilla frozen yogurt, softened
- 6 gingersnap cookies, chopped
- 2 bananas, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
This tantalizing mix of ginger, vanilla, and banana is easy to whip up. First, layer equal portions of frozen yogurt, chopped gingersnaps, bananas and pecans into 4 small dessert cups or glasses. Place cups in the freezer until the yogurt has frozen, which takes about 10 minutes. Then, get ready to dip into some seriously sweet treats.
Lemonsicle Ice Cream Sandwiches
(Adapted from Serena Thompson and Teri Edwards' recipe in Country Living Magazine)
Serves: 12 | Prep Time: 10 min. | Total Time: 2 hr. 30 min.
What you'll need:
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- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- Wafers
To make this recipe you will need an ice cream machine. First, put all ingredients except the wafers into a large mixing bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves. Then, put the contents from the mixing bowl into the ice cream machine and process according to manufacturer's instructions. Once finished, spoon out and place between two wafers. Squish together and enjoy a tart and sweet summer treat.
Italian Ice Recipe
(Adapted from The Food Network Magazine)
Want your summer treat more on the icy rather than the creamy side? Try an Italian ice like the kind you could get from the corner grocery when you were little. This recipe will save you some coin too, since you'll make it at home.
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Level: Easy | Yield: 4 cups | Prep Time: 2 hr. 40 min.
What you'll need:
- 3 cups strawberries, chopped (or 3 cups pineapple, chopped)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
First, blend the fruit, sugar, honey and lemon juice with 2 cups of ice in a blender or a food processor until chunky. Then, add another cup of ice and continue to blend until the mixture is completely smooth. Next, pour the mixture into a baking pan and freeze. Next, scrape up the ice with a fork until it turns into a slush-like mixture. Freeze again until firm, which should take about 2 more hours. Once it has frozen then you can scoop it into paper cups and slurp away!
Vanilla Chocolate Chip Root Beer Floats
(Adapted from Paula Deen's recipe from Food Network's Paula's Home Cooking, episode "Sweet Tooth.")
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Level: Easy | Yield: 5 servings | Prep: 10 min.
What you'll need:
- 1 pint (2 cups) vanilla chocolate chip ice cream
- 1 liter (4 cups) root beer
- Whipped cream
- Shaved chocolate
To make, just fill 4 glasses with 1 scoop of ice cream each. Pour the root beer over the ice cream and top it all off with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Serve with straws and long spoons on a hot summer day.
Everything but the Kitchen Sink Sundaes
(Adapted from The Food Network's television show, "Down Home with the Neelys," episode: "Somethin' Outta Nothin'"
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This recipe can be something for the whole family to enjoy together, just grab a big bowl and some spoons.
Level: Easy | Yield: 4 servings | Time: 18 min.
What you'll need:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 pints vanilla ice cream
- 6 crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (ex. Oreos)
- 6 crushed chocolate chip cookies
- 6 tablespoons chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Before you can assemble the sundaes, you need to make the caramel sauce. Nothing beats a warm, homemade caramel sauce, so it is definitely worth the wait. First, heat the sugar in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring at intervals over the course of 7 minutes. You will see it slowly brown to a golden color.
Whisk in the whipped cream slowly. Then, add the butter and extract and cook for 1 minute more. If you do not use it all on the sundaes, it can be stored for up to 2 weeks in the fridge if covered tightly.
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To make the sundaes, scoop the ice cream into 4 bowls. Then, you can go crazy with the toppings, adding cookies, chocolate chips, pecans and drizzling the entire thing with caramel sauce. Enjoy!