Homemade Icy Poles/Popsicles

Well, we may be half way through February, but it doesn't look like the heat is going away anytime soon. My kids love icecream and icypoles, but I like to try and give them a more healthy option than store bought ones.

Chocolate Icy Poles

2 tbs cornflour (cornstarch)
3 cups skim milk
100g (4 oz) milk chocolate, chopped
75g (3oz) dark chocolate,chopped
2 tsp vanilla essence

Put cornflour into a medium saucepan, and then whisk in milk, breaking up any lumps. Over medium heat, cook until mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, about 10-15 minutes. Stir in both chocolates until melted. Remove from heat, add vanilla and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Pour into icy pole moulds and add sticks. Allow to cool completely, and then freeze overnight.

Strawberry Squeeze Icy Poles

3 cups halved strawberries (or thawed frozen strawberries)
3/4 cup apple & blackcurrant juice
3/4 cup pineapple juice
1 ripe banana

In a medium saucepan, simmer strawberries and juices for 5 minutes, then allow to cool. Put in a blender with banana and blend until smooth. Fill moulds and add sticks. Freeze overnight.

Berry Bliss Smoothie Icy Poles

1 1/2 cups frozen blackberries (unthawed)
1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries (unthawed)
1 cup lowfat vanilla yoghurt
1 cup apple blackcurrant juice
2 tbs honey
2 tbs lemon juice

Blend half of the blackberries and half of the blueberries (reserve the rest) with the remaining ingredients in a blender until smooth. Stir in reserved berries, pour into moulds and add sticks. Freeze overnight.