an original recipe by Natalie

2 c. plain, whole-milk yogurt
1 1/2 - 2 c. smashed fruit or fruit juice
up to 1/3 c. sugar or honey (sweetened to your liking)
1/2 tsp vanilla

12 popsicle sticks
12 3-ounce paper cups (the "bathroom" ones)

Place paper cups into a freezer-safe container that you will put into the freezer. Combine all ingredients thoroughly in a medium-sized bowl, then ladel into paper cups. Place a piece of aluminum foil over top (it's easier if you line up the cups into a square). With a sharp knife, make tiny slits over each cup, then place the popsicle through the slits. (If you just shove the popsicles in without making the slits first, the foil will probably tear and your sticks won't stand up straight.)

Freeze for several hours, or until frozen solid. Remove foil and place pops into a gallon-size freezer bag. Begin bribing your children.

Makes a dozen pops.

Nat's Notes:
1. Using more fruit juice will yield icier pops. Smashed fruit seems to keep them creamier. So does using whole-milk yogurt.
2. You probably know this already, but don't put honey in these if you're giving them to a baby under 1 year of age.

Here are the variations we've tried. Not to be cliche, but the possibilities really are endless. . .

Orange Cream: 1 1/2 c. orange juice + 1 tsp. orange zest
Orange Pineapple: 1 c. orange juice + 1 c. pineapple puree + 1 tsp. orange zest
Strawberry Lemonade: 1 c smashed strawberries + 1/4 c. lemon juice + 1/4 tsp. lemon zest
Peachy Cream: 5 smashed peaches + 1 tsp lemon juice
Mango Cream: 2 smashed mangoes + 1 tsp lemon juice
Blackberry Cream: 1 1/2 c smashed blackberries + 1 tsp lemon juice

(If you're wondering why I add lemon juice, it gives the pops a "brighter" flavor.)

www.PerrysPlate.com