Triple Berries and Cream Swirl Pops

Here’s a scene that’s played out too often in my life lately:

– Arrive home from work stressed and tired.

– Feel absolutely famished.

– Try to resist the urge to snack as I lament that (poor me!) it will be at least another hour before I’ll have dinner cooked and on the table.

– Cave to Hunger and Stress and Self-Pity and grab something out of the pantry in desperation – packaged cookies, crackers, chips – anything that’s easy and ready-to-eat.

– Eat way too much of the high-calorie, low nutrition packaged snack because I’m starving.

But I’ve come up with a solution that’s worked for me lately.

I make homemade popsicles with a variety of healthy berries and Greek yogurt when I have some free time on the weekend.

Then I have a week’s worth of grab-and-go snacks that are also healthy, filling, and satisfying.

I eat one of these super-nutritious popsicles in that Hunger- or Stress- or Self-Pity-induced moment of weakness and those processed and packaged snacks have nothing on me, thankyouverymuch.

Here’s everything you need to make your own Triple Berry Pops – couldn’t be simpler!

Begin by removing the stems from and quartering some fresh strawberries.

Add the quartered strawberries to a food processor, along with some raspberries and blackberries.

This triple-berry combo translates to a ton of vitamins and antioxidants in every popsicle:

  • Blackberries  – Vitamin E (for a healthy immune system) and Copper (for strong bones)
  • Raspberries – extremely high in antioxidants that prevent and inhibit cancer
  • Strawberries – packed with Vitamin C (for a healthy immune system)

The list goes on and on – berries always rank at the top of the list of healthiest foods.

But. (Have you experienced this problem?) Berries (especially raspberries, in my experience) can begin to turn moldy within the span of three days.

So puréeing and freezing them into popsicles is a great solution – all that healthy goodness, preserved to last all week.

Also add some agave nectar to the food processor, for just a touch of sweetness.

Substitutions:  if you love the flavor of honey, use that instead of agave.  If you don’t have agave or honey on hand, sugar will also work.

Pulse until all the berries are fully puréed.

Next, add some plain Greek yogurt to a mixing bowl.

Stir in a bit of agave (again, honey or sugar will also work as substitutes).

Last, add fresh vanilla bean.

Have you tried this yet?

For a while, I could never find it at the store.

I kept looking for it in the produce section with all the fresh herbs.

But it was my husband who finally stumbled upon it, in a tiny glass jar (am I the only one who had no idea it was sold in a jar?), in the spice aisle.

And I’m so glad to finally have it in my kitchen.

It’s a bit pricey, but actually so worth it.

Vanilla bean adds such yummy, rich vanilla flavor, you don’t feel the need to add so much sweetener to the pops.

Just slice into the center of the vanilla bean, lengthwise, with a sharp knife.

Then pull it open so it lies flat on the cutting board.

Use the tip of the knife to scrape out all of the delicious black seeds, and stir into the yogurt.

Next, grab a popsicle mold.

I found the one pictured here on Amazon.

Spoon about 2 to 3 teaspoons of the berry mixture into each mold.

Next, spoon about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of yogurt into each mold.

Then repeat this process, alternating between the berries and the yogurt, until the molds are filled to the brim.

Add a popsicle stick to each mold.

Then freeze.  The popsicles will need at least six hours to fully freeze.

When you’re ready to eat one, just place the mold under hot running water for about 10 seconds.

After the sides of the pops have melted slightly from the hot water, the popsicle should easily slide out of the mold.

And your super-healthy snack is ready to eat!

The vivid deep purple berries combined with the creamy white, vanilla yogurt just looks pretty.

These pops taste slightly tart, slightly sweet, fruity, and creamy too.  And the hint of real vanilla bean flavor is such a treat.

Overall, the perfect summertime fresh and healthy snack.

Here is the complete recipe

Triple Berries and Cream Swirl Pops

Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Prep: 15 minutes
Inactive: 6 hours

Yield: 10 servings (10 swirl pops)

Ingredients
16 ounces plain, lowfat Greek yogurt
1 vanilla bean
1/2 cup agave nectar
3 ounces blackberries
3 ounces raspberries
3 ounces strawberries, quartered, with stems removed

 

Directions

Slice into the center of the vanilla bean, lengthwise, and open it up so it lies flat on the cutting board. Use the tip of the knife to scrape out all of the black seeds from the inside of the pod.

 

In a mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, the vanilla bean, and 1/4 cup of agave nectar.

 

To a food processor, add the blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and the remaining 1/4 cup of agave nectar. Pulse to a purée.

 

Spoon about 2 to 3 teaspoons of the berry purée into the bottom of each of the popsicle molds.  Next, spoon about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of the yogurt mixture into each popsicle mold.  Spoon another 2 to 3 teaspoons of the berry purée and then another 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of the yogurt mixture, and so on, until the molds are filled to the top.  Insert a popsicle stick into each mold, and place in the freezer for at least six hours.  When ready to eat, hold the mold under hot running water for about 10 seconds, or until the popsicle loosens and slides out of the mold.
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46 Comments

  1. June 12, 2012 / 11:25 am

    Oh wow. I know what I’m making this weekend… and all summer…

  2. June 12, 2012 / 11:25 am

    Those are so pretty… my would love them!

  3. June 12, 2012 / 11:34 am

    These are a perfect snack! Love the use of fresh berries and Greek yogurt! Definitely going to make these!

  4. June 12, 2012 / 11:34 am

    These look beautiful! And so healthy. I think I’m going to have to buy myself a popsicle mold now. Thanks for linking to yours- you probably knew I’d ask!

  5. June 12, 2012 / 11:41 am

    To be stressed … being late home from work and absolutely famished – you’re doing more then well – they look so good and I’m sure they taste even better. Not a fan of frozen yogurt, but I’m sure I could manage on of those. Like the preparation time – 15 min – okay by me. LOoOOooads of goodies and healthy too – wonderful post.

      • June 12, 2012 / 3:45 pm

        For you … anything is easy !!!! Maybe I can do .. vanilla ice cream and fill the pops with instead. – Frozen yogurt is nothing for vikings like me. *smile

  6. June 12, 2012 / 11:48 am

    You are so creative! It looks so delicious!

  7. June 12, 2012 / 12:30 pm

    Yup! These look delicious and fairly simple! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  8. June 12, 2012 / 1:20 pm

    All my favourite things, delicious! Vanilla pods are worth the extra cost and add loads of flavour. Don’t forget to put the pod into your caster sugar to create your own vanilla sugar then the original price of the pods doesn’t seem so bad!

    • June 12, 2012 / 3:39 pm

      Thanks so much for adding this great tip! 🙂 I completely forgot to mention in my post that the pod can also be saved to heat up in a saucepan for vanilla-flavored sauces for desserts.

  9. June 12, 2012 / 2:30 pm

    wonderful popsicles!! healthy and fresh!

  10. June 12, 2012 / 2:43 pm

    I love these! What’s not to like about triple berries and a pretty swirl?

  11. June 12, 2012 / 2:54 pm

    This is one of summer essentials!

  12. June 12, 2012 / 3:31 pm

    Healthy and delicious, these would certainly keep cravings at bay – love it 😀

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    • June 12, 2012 / 3:42 pm

      They will keep my cravings at bay up until I read about your latest peanut butter and chocolate creation! 🙂

  13. June 12, 2012 / 3:55 pm

    I make lots of popsicles for a healthy and delicious snack as well, and adding some greek yogurt is the ultimate best idea to make them even better and more filling!

  14. June 12, 2012 / 4:03 pm

    Hi,
    Wow, what a great idea, and they look delicious as well, the perfect treat. 🙂

  15. June 12, 2012 / 4:34 pm

    Wow what a wonderful, healthy treat to keep on hand. I know I’m going to love these and I’ll bet the grand kids will too. Thanks and have a beautiful week!
    Joy

  16. June 12, 2012 / 5:02 pm

    You’re a genius… these look gorgeous and would certainly satisfy the sweet cravings I get!

  17. June 12, 2012 / 7:47 pm

    Oh yum! Something else for me to do with yogurt!

  18. June 12, 2012 / 10:35 pm

    What a great treat. My kids will LOVE it…be good for birthday parties too x

  19. June 13, 2012 / 12:11 am

    These.look.amazing! And super easy, too! I love vanilla beans…it was one of our ‘must buys’ in Mexico on our honeymoon which I think is the vanilla bean mecca or something because there was vanilla essence and beans everywhere. I wish we had bought more but I remember that Vince used it in a delicious panna cotta that I won’t soon forget.

    Now I have to look for these Popsicle molds!

  20. June 13, 2012 / 2:18 pm

    Your pictures make me want to drool. I’ve been meaning to get a popsicle mold, now I think I can splurge!!

  21. June 13, 2012 / 2:29 pm

    When I showed my Hubby the photos, he said “Why don’t WE have ice cream mold thingies like THAT??!?!”…..I guess we’ll have an excuse to visit Wms Sonoma for a little shopping…!

  22. June 13, 2012 / 2:47 pm

    These look so professional…and delicious! I wonder if they would work with a non-dairy yogurt?

    • June 14, 2012 / 10:16 pm

      Yes, I haven’t tried this, but I’m sure it would work just fine. Non-diary yogurt should freeze well in these pops.

  23. Food Stories
    June 13, 2012 / 4:20 pm

    These are just beautiful … and healthy to boot 🙂

  24. June 13, 2012 / 4:49 pm

    I think you just saved me with these! What a wonderful looking recipe, and I’ve been desperately casting around for good popsicle molds recently, and these look perfect. Thank you!

  25. June 13, 2012 / 8:35 pm

    Why are you spying on me? That’s how my weeknights go… These look absolutely amazing, and I will definitely try them.

  26. June 14, 2012 / 2:01 pm

    What a fabulous idea to have these on hand instead of snacking on those other things! I am totally guilty of that when I come home from work and I am starving. Thanks for sharing your idea!

  27. June 14, 2012 / 5:13 pm

    This is a fantastic way to not binge on fatty snacks. I shiuld start doing this too coz these popsicles are heathy and tasty!

  28. June 14, 2012 / 6:00 pm

    These look so good and refreshing and summery. Yum. I read a while back to keep hard boiled eggs or string cheese in the fridge and grab one as a snack to urge your urge to want to eat something worse. It works, actually.

  29. June 15, 2012 / 12:11 am

    I’m definitely making these! They look soooo good!

  30. June 15, 2012 / 9:44 am

    Not only do they sound good but they are so pretty.

  31. June 15, 2012 / 2:59 pm

    Oh my, I love everything about this! I just got a popsicle mold too (it’s been sitting in the box for the past couple of weeks) so I’ll be making this soon! 🙂

  32. June 15, 2012 / 4:04 pm

    What a great idea. So pretty and so healthy. My grandsons would love these (me too). I’ll be following your blog now I have discovered it from the Sybaritica blog.

  33. June 16, 2012 / 7:58 am

    These popsicles look so fresh and pretty. I bet they are delicious – and they are a great snack. I have been seeing so many popsicles “popping” up on blogs lately. I’m really thinking that I need to get myself a mold so I can make these, too!

  34. healthyyou72
    June 16, 2012 / 7:59 pm

    While hubby and I were walking by the river front in Wilmington NC, we bought homemade popsicles…..YUM!!!! I love your recipe, and love doing the layers! I need to make some homemade popsicles ASAP:-) Hugs, Terra

  35. cookingactress
    June 18, 2012 / 4:36 pm

    My boyfriend just glared at my in outrage that I haven’t already started making these for him! It seems this is something I’ll be making in the future 😛 They are gorgeous!

  36. connie q
    June 19, 2012 / 2:20 am

    These look amazing. WINCO has vanilla beans in their bulk spice section…

  37. June 20, 2012 / 1:00 pm

    Healthy popsicles have been on my to make list for waaaay too long. It’s time I get myself into the kitchen and make it happen!

  38. June 25, 2012 / 5:46 pm

    What a fabulous idea – they look healthy, delicious, and pretty too! I need to invest in a popsicle mold, stat! My imagination is already running wild with the possibilities! 🙂

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