Popsicles in December?! Heck yes! Here’s why: But this isn’t just any popsicle mold. This is the ZOKU Quick Pop Maker. This is magic. Okay, maybe not magic, per se, but it creates popsicles in 7 minutes flat. Meaning any juice you have sitting in your fridge can be a popsicle in 7 minutes. That’s magic if you ask me!
Ingredients for Juice Pops
You just need juice for this fruity popsicle recipe! Here are some of our favorites for making popsicles.
Pineapple: Pineapple popsicles are such a tropical treat (delicious with added mango or shredded coconut!)Apple Juice: Apple juice popsicles are a classic (feel free to add a bit of cinnamon or vanilla for a boost of flavor).Green Juice: Looking for a fun new way to get your greens? Try turning a green juice into a popsicle!Cranberry Juice: Light and tart, this flavor is so refreshing.Grape Juice: Grape juice popsicles are deeply sweet and so tasty. Great paired with cranberries or pomegranate arils!
How to make Juice Pops
Step 1: Freeze the moldFirst freeze the ZOKU mold for 24 hours. This gets it SUPER cold so that when you pour your juice in, it freezes immediately (I like to just store my ZOKU mold in the freezer for when the popsicle cravings strike). But…there’s another way. If you freeze the popsicles very quickly, the result will be a nice and soft popsicle. Industrial popsicle makers use flash freezers, but you can use the ZOKU Quick Pop Maker to get the same results! Step 2: Add JuiceInsert the reusable popsicle sticks into the molds, then pour your desired juice up to the fill line. Step 3: FreezeWatch as the popsicles freeze before your eyes! You don’t even need to put it back in the freezer. Just let it chill for 7 minutes. Step 4: ServeOnce your fruit pops are frozen, use the super tool to remove them. (After developing 75 popsicles recipes for my cookbook, and yanking so many popsicles out of conventional molds, this tool is a lifesaver – the popsicles come right out) (again, magic). Once the popsicles are frozen, attach the drip guards and enjoy!
tips & tricks
Get Creative! You can use just about any juice to make these juice pops (pickle juice pops, anyone?) The sky is the limit (and hey, if you make a gross flavor, you’re just 7 minutes away from a redo). Add Designs: The kit comes with stencils that allow you to make a variety of uniquely designed pops (like flowers and characters). Layer It Up: You can also create fruit juice layers by inserting the sticks, then filling partially with juice and freezing. Once the first layer is frozen, add another (and another and another)! Storage: Be sure to transfer finished popsicles to an airtight container in the freezer to maintain their freshness and prevent freezer burn.
Are juice pops good for you?
Most juices contain a fair amount of sugar, which should be enjoyed in moderation. You can use a low-sugar juice here for a more nutritious option, or add finely diced fresh fruit.
Can you use any mold to make these juice pops?
You will specifically need the ZOKU Quick Pop Maker for this recipe, otherwise the popsicles will turn out very hard (like biting into an ice cube). If you’re still waiting for your Quick Pop Maker to arrive and just have a conventional mold, try one of our other popsicle recipes, which are meant for slow-freezing mold.
