With spring break on its way, don’t you want to enjoy some icy desserts by the pool? Wouldn’t it be better if you didn’t have to worry about the sugars or calories? Look no further! Thanks to the help from Cooking Light, I’ve made an adaption to some wonderfully delicious and low-calorie popsicles. The two flavors are limoncello and watermelon-jalepeño, making them the perfect treat on a hot day at the beach! Along with the nutritional facts, you will find other tips on how to make the popsicles even healthier.
Limoncello Pops
Makes: about 6 popsicles
Time: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Ingredients
1 cup water
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup limoncello liquor
Preparation
1. Combine water and sugar in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave at HIGH for 3 minutes or
until boiling. Stir until sugar dissolves. Cool completely.
2. Pour mixture into ice-pop molds. Top with lid and insert craft sticks.
3. Freeze for 4 hours or until thoroughly frozen.
Healthy Tips
Sugar is used mainly for flavor in these popsicles, therefore it is not a required ingredient. To lower calories and keep sweetness, you can reduce the sugar to 1/3 cup.
It is best to use fresh lemon juice rather than pre-made juice from the store.
Nutritional Info
(Amount per serving)
Calories: 133
Fat: 0.0g
Saturated fat: 0.0g
Monounsaturated fat: 0.0g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.0g
Protein: 0.2g
Carbs: 29.2g
Fiber: 0.3g
Cholesterol: 0.0mg
Iron: 0.0mg
Sodium: 1mg
Calcium: 5mg
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Watermelon-Jalepeño Ice Pops
Makes: about 8 popsicles
Time: 6 hours, 10 minutes
Ingredients
3 cups fresh watermelon cubes, chilled
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 tbsp liquid pectin
1 large jalepeño pepper, halved and seeded
2 tsp grated lime rind
Preparation
1. Combine watermelon, sugar, lime juice, liquid pectin, and jalepeño into a blender. Process until pureed. Stir in lime rind.
2. Pour into ice pop molds. Freeze for 6 hours or until thoroughly frozen.
Healthy Tips
Just like the limoncello popsicles, sugar is used for flavor. Therefore, it can either be reduced or eliminated.
The original recipe called for 1 tbsp of light-colored corn syrup. You want to stay away from the corn syrup. I made the recipe without and it’s still delicious! Plus, it cuts out 10 unneeded calories!
Liquid pectin keeps all the ingredients combined, so it must be included. You can find it in the Jell-O section of the grocery store.
The grated lime rind is not required either.
One jalepeño may be too spicy for some. Half of one will do the trick!
Nutritional Info
(Amount per serving)
Calories: 66
Fat: 0.1g
Saturated fat: 0.0g
Monounsaturated fat: 0.0g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.1g
Protein: 0.4g
Carbs: 19.7g
Fiber: 0.4g
Cholesterol: 0.0mg
Iron: 0.2mg
Sodium: 3mg
Calcium: 6mg
Enjoy, spring breakers!