It’s getting hot out where I live and in some parts of the country it is getting REALLY hot. When it gets really hot we all seem to have the same goal – staying cool! I am one of those crazy people who likes it to be cold so the summer heat makes me try almost anything to stay cool. I have a couple of kids who are just like me – they hate being too hot. Sometimes that also means finding creative or fun ways to keep the whole family cool. There is one way to keep cool that is tasty and fun! Popsicles – everyone loves popsicles in the hot summer!

Popsicles – there are so many kinds and they are almost always yummy! From the cheap Otter Pops to more expensive gourmet popsicles to homemade popsicles, these cold treats are a summer favorite. It seems to can freeze almost anything and it becomes a treat. In my house we make a lot of popsicles with yogurt or pudding or fruit puree. I am always on the lookout for more ideas and more ways to make yummy popsicles.

These are just a few of the fun summer popsicle recipes we’ve tried. They are all really yummy and a great way to beat the heat. Try them and see what you think. Have a great popsicle recipe? Let us know! We love to hear from our readers!

Nutella Popsicles

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup milk

6 tablespoons chocolate-hazelnut spread (such as Nutella)

Directions:

1. Stir cream, milk, and chocolate-hazelnut spread together in microwave-safe bowl.

2. Microwave until chocolate hazelnut spread is melted, 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.

3.Pour the mixture into ice pop molds and freeze until set, 3 to 4 hours.

Frozen Blueberry Yogurt Pops

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:

1 cup Ocean Spray Blueberry Juice Cocktail

1 cup Ocean Spray Fresh Blueberries, cleaned and rinsed

1 (6 ounce) container fat-free vanilla yogurt

8 wooden craft sticks

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in blender. Cover; blend on high speed 15 to 20 seconds or until smooth.
2. Pour into 8 frozen pop molds (2.5 ounces to 3 ounces each). Cover, insert craft sticks, and freeze for 2 hours or until completely firm.
3. To serve, dip outsides of molds into warm water to loosen.

Fudgecicles

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:

1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup white sugar
3 cups milk

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine pudding, sugar, and milk.

2. Pour mixture into small plastic cups (if you do not have ice pop molds) and freeze.
3. When set, place a wooden craft stick into them (if you are using plastic cups). Serve when frozen.

Fresh Fruit and Yogurt Ice Pops

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and sliced bananas, mixed

2 cups plain or vanilla yogurt

1/4 cup white sugar

8 small paper cups

8 popsicle sticks

Directions:

1. Place the mixed blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, sliced bananas, yogurt, and sugar into a blender.

2. Cover, and blend until fruit is chunky or smooth, as desired.

3. Fill paper cups 3/4 full with fruit mixture. Cover the top of each cup with a strip of aluminum foil. Poke a popsicle stick through the center of the foil on each cup.

4. Place the cups in the freezer for at least 5 hours. To serve, remove foil and peel off the paper cup.