Monday, July 7, 2014

Grandkids and Strawberry Cream Frozen Summer Treat Recipe

Strawberry Boys

It was such a delight to have a few of the grandkids with us on Saturday. As you can see, one of the things we did was pick the strawberries from the garden. Everyone helped, and we got two baskets full.

One of the conversations with the 4 year old went something like this:

Him: 'Do you bemember when I was a baby?'
Me:  'Yes, I do!'
Him: (with furrowed brow) 'I don't bemember when you were a baby.'

I love the things kids come up with.

After lunch, I surprised them with creamy peach Popsicles. They met them with skepticism, but after a few bites, one of the grandsons said, 'Grandma, you should go start a popsicle business.' 

Whether my recipe is used for popsicles or just frozen in little custard cups, it is an easy and delicious summertime treat.


Strawberry Cream Cheese Icy Dessert

We discussed the various flavor possibilities. He suggested blueberry. His sister suggested raspberry. Those sound good too, so we've got at least four different flavors we'll be trying this summer. I don't think my blueberries are going to amount to more than bird food, but the raspberry crop looks very promising, and so far the strawberry crop is doing great. It helps that we're getting regular rains and warm temps.

Creamy Popsicles or Fruity Icy Dessert Recipe:

  • 12   4 oz. popsicle molds  (I bought my 4 oz. molds from Amazon. They're called 'Tovolo Groovy Ice Pop Molds.)
  • 1  8oz. block cream cheese OR the Greek Yogurt/Cream Cheese combination
  • 3 c. fresh berries or peaches
  • 1 small (3 oz.) pkg. sugar-free Jell-O  (or you can substitute 1 envelope Knox gelatin and 4 g. Stevia powder) along with a small pkg. of unsweetened Kool-Aid. (Personally, I didn't like that as much as the sugar-free Jell-O. I would like to find a brand of gelatin that used Splenda)
  • 2 c. water, brought to a boil

Boil water. Sprinkle jello in and dissolve. Add berries or peaches. Place in blender and puree. Then add the 8 oz. cream cheese, a couple ounces at a time, while the blender remains in puree mode.  That's it. This completely filled my blender.

Pour into 4 oz. sherbet dishes or popsicle molds.

Freeze at least 3-4 hours.

Once frozen, you'll have to let the dishes sit out at room temp for10-20 minutes until you can chisel the dessert out with a grapefruit spoon. Believe me, it's worth it, and it lasts longer that way. The popsicles can be eaten as soon as frozen, of course, once you've managed to get them out of their individual molds by running hot water over them for a minute or two.

Makes enough for 12 popsicles or 12 sherbet dishes.

 Strawberry? Coming right up!

By the way, I learned from the lady at Walmart that the little dishes I was using were not called sherbet dishes. Walmart calls them 'condiment cups.' Really? Who uses that much ketchup or mayo??  Anyway, they're the perfect size for a dessert.

I think I'll also try using Knox unflavored gelatin and fruit juice, along with the cream cheese - and see what happens.

I'm planning to keep my freezer stocked with creamy popsicles this summer. I hope my taste testers hurry back to Grandma's house!!

Note: Frozen berries work well, for they bring the hot Jell-O water down in temperature before putting it in the blender. Otherwise, you can dissolve the Jell-O in 1 c. boiling water and then add 1 c. cold water to achieve the same thing.

I use unsweetened berries so that there's no sugar in this dessert.


The 'Magic Tickle Finger With Napkin'

Some things are simply sweet, classic Grandpa games. I'm sure I remember Kevin's dad playing that kind of silly game with our kids and I suspect that his grandpa played that with him. The boys were mesmerized! Grandpa used a different voice (at the boys' instruction) to play this game, and he would tickle them under their chins. Of course they were giggling long before the unpredictable 'Tickle Finger With Napkin' (using that deep and mysterious old-time scary movie voice) ever got near their faces. This went on for a good half hour!

I hope you had a lovely weekend too!


***

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties: Inspiration Monday and Make it Pretty Monday and  Making the World Cuter Mondays and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Artsy Corner Thursday and Treasure Box Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Adorned From Above  and All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Junkin' Joe and Vintage Inspiration Friday and A Favorite Thing Saturday

27 comments:

Balisha said...

Who would have thought....cream cheese in a popsicle? These look delicious...and tested by kids. That's enough for me to want to try them.
Your grands are so cute.

Roan said...

They sound delicious. Anything with cream cheese would have to be. Love listening to kids. My Grandson Adam listened to his mom tell the story of Adam and Eve. Afterward he was very contemplative and finally said, "That devil made me eat that apple!"

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

bemember....love it ! :)

my little grand would say lello for yellow and I didn't want to correct him ..I like lello better :)

Those pops look awesome / I think the local Rite Aid had some molds. I'll have to check ! : )

The kids are just adorable in these pics :)

Vee said...

The grands are adorable! I am smiling over gentle pursuits and yummy frozen treats. I am snagging the recipe for future reference. Also chuckling over the tickle finger...it doesn't take much to entertain the wee ones other than quality time and imagination.

Unknown said...

How lovely that you had the grandkids over - they're so precious. The little one can't remember you as a baby - how adorable lol.
When one of my daughters was little she had a dream once that I was in and insisted I should remember her dream because I was IN it - how come you don't remember Mom - you were there! Your popsicles sound amazing!
Happy Monday Judy - it's overcast here so I'm taking advantage and visiting my favorite blogs ♥
Hugs
Suzan

Empty Nester said...

I just love your family! Y'all are fantastic! And those grands are adorable!

Debbie said...

Oh these just sound delicious! And I am looking for some sugar free desserts so I know I will give this a try. thanks for sharing!!

podso said...

Hey that looks good and your grand kids are singing your praises. I have those same little cups--both plastic and glass. Perfect for a little dessert or fruit, not condiments!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Little boys have such a sweet innocence and they are pure joy to play with. Looks like you had fun! And the fruit pops sound yummy. Something I could have...no sugar! Enjoy your week! Hugs!

Cheryl said...

Your popsicles look delicious! But my favorite part of this post must be the picture of your dear little boys, faces beaming, who are holding the baskets of berries. Or... is it those same little faces captivated by the Tickle Finger With Napkin. Priceless! :D

Anita Johnson said...

These look really good! I love cream cheese in anything!

Carla from The River said...

Wow,they are growing up.
So are my two boys. If you saw them today, you would be surprised how Sam is grown.

I love your post today. And can I come over for a popsicle? :-)

camp and cottage living said...

Aw, the joy of g'kids! They do look mesmerized by Grandpa. You will both have the time of your lives with your family so near now.
Hurrah!

Deborah said...

I love everything about today's post. So glad you had the grandkids over and the pops look delicious. :-)

Nancy Shuman said...

Thank you for sharing the recipe! I was surprised (and delighted) at the cream cheese. I absolutely love it in anything.

I bemember when my 4 year old grandchild was a baby too. Five minutes ago....

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Thank you for sharing the recipe. It sounds delicious. The strawberries look so good. Your grandchildren are beautiful. I'm glad you had a great time with them. Sounds like a wonderful holiday!

Suzan said...

You're such a fun Grandmom!! Know your kids love to come visit!

Sue said...

Precious, and priceless, aren't grandkids wonderful, thanks for the recipe and tips. This brings back many memories for me. You should see me smiling as I write this, ~still smiling.
Thanks for sharing, if you lived nearby I would gladly share my blueberries, we are blessed with a bumper crop this year!
Blessings,
Sue

Chatty Crone said...

Hello - how are you! Your grand kids are so cute. I love them. I know you enjoy them coming. Love the Popsicle. Love peach too.

Unknown said...

That sounds lovely and what a refreshing treat for the grandkids as well :) They are really cute!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

What a good grandma you are, Judy! And such adorable little guys! If you start that popsicle business, better not make it mail order. :D

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

How sweet are those little faces? Popsicles sound like the perfect summertime treat at Grandma's house, especially when you get to harvest the berries! Hugs xo Karen

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a perfect treat for the grands, Judy! I love their sweet, little faces. Don't they just melt your heart?

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

This recipe sounds perfect for my husband's LCHF diet- I am going to try it! Well, as soon as I find popsickle containers. Your grands are sweet.

Judy S. said...

Sounds like a fun visit! Those strawberries sure look yummy! Great photos, too.

Anonymous said...

These frozen summer treats sound delicious--and healthy :) Your 'grands' are adorable, too!

Anonymous said...

I do love the things kids say. They can make me laugh like no other. Picking strawberries and eating peach popsicles--I'm sure they'll be back!

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