Banana FroYo Pops

Who’s ready for summer?

…..anyone?

When you live in the Phoenix area, you don’t tend to get a lot of enthusiastic responses to this question. Most of us have accepted the fact that by this time of May it already is summer and will continue to be so until about Halloween. So, okay, it’s hot. But, looking on the bright side, there are lots of fun things to enjoy when it’s hot. Like cooling off in the pool, taking in an air-conditioned movie, blasting Beach Boys music, and…um…going somewhere not hot.

Also, eating frozen desserts. Like banana frozen yogurt pops.

If you’re heading into summer with kids at home, these frozen treats are a great way to involve kids in a “cooking” project they can snack on. My three kiddos got a big kick out of decorating their own pops in all manner of creative combinations. Even my son who loves to hate on bananas gobbled his up. (There’s something about loving our own creations.) These do take a little time, of course, since they have two rounds of chilling in the freezer, but what better way to while away a summer afternoon? Pop these in the freezer while you go for a dip, and when you get back, out comes a cold, refreshing, and relatively healthy sweet treat.

Banana FroYo Pops
(Adapted from Babble.com)

Ingredients:

3/4 c. plain Greek yogurt
2 Tbsp. honey
3-4 bananas
Popsicle sticks
Toppings of your choice: sprinkles, coconut, mini chocolate chips, etc.

Directions:

1. In a wide, shallow bowl or a tall Mason jar, mix yogurt and honey.

2. Peel bananas and cut in half. Insert a popsicle stick into the cut side of each banana half.

3. Dip bananas into yogurt mixture to cover on all sides, rotating or using a rubber spatula to ensure even coating. Place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour.

4. Meanwhile, pour toppings into shallow bowls. Remove bananas from freezer and roll in toppings to coat on all sides. Return to baking sheet and freeze for another 1 hour.

5. Serve immediately or store in the freezer in Ziploc bags.

Makes 6-8 banana pops.