14 Ideas for Frozen Pops This Summer

With the weather warming up, now is the perfect time to start planning how you'll cool down in the heat of the summer.

These unique popsicles make perfect desserts for balmy summer evenings or easy mini-meals for summer mornings when it's too hot for pancakes. Make a single one for yourself or fill a popsicle mold set for the whole family.

Cucumber Mint Yogurt Treat: This savory treat could be a frozen meal in itself—without the need for a microwave. For each cucumber, add half a cup of plain yogurt and four mint leaves. For a purely sweet cucumber treat, skip the yogurt, use just the cucumber and mint, and add a half-teaspoon of sugar.

Watermelon Surprise: Everyone's favorite summer fruit gets a little kick added to it in this delectable dessert. Puree one-quarter of a large watermelon and add 3/4 an inch of peeled ginger root. Buy seedless watermelon if you can find it.

Baby Food Breeze: For the easiest, but still delicious, popsicles of all, use extra baby food jars in your pantry. Simply pour the already-pureed fruits or veggies into popsicle molds for a super-easy summer treat, for baby or for you! This is also a clever way to get older picky eater to eat veggies she hasn't otherwise shown interest in!

Palm Tree Pops: Create a tropical paradise right in your freezer. For each cup of coconut milk, blend in half a pineapple, and a half-cup of crushed ice cubes. Add a tablespoon of sugar to sweeten it up. Freeze, and then picture yourself enjoying it in a poolside cabana.

Olive Oil Twist: This is a healthier spin on popular olive oil gelato. Use a 6-oz Greek yogurt cup, and add a tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 cup of crushed ice, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Puree, freeze and enjoy.

Gazpacho Pops: For another savory treat that can serve as an appetizer at a summer brunch, whip up these soupy specials. Puree four medium-sized ripe tomatoes, one cucumber, 1/4 of a large red onion, a whole red pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Pour it in to popsicle molds instead of into bowls. Add 1/4 of a jalapeno for an extra kick.

Banana Walnut Delight: Combine two bananas, a handful of walnuts, a cup of apple cider, and 1/4 teaspoon each of cinnamon and Allspice. Blend it and pour it into popsicle molds. You'll have the frozen equivalent of banana walnut bread!

Refreshing Oasis: Let summer stress melt away with this delicious blend of dates, honey, and apple. Puree six dried dates (take out the pits first), one tablespoon of honey and three peeled apples.

Frozen Cobbler: This crustless frozen cobbler is the ideal summer treat. Combine four ripe, chopped peaches, two tablespoons of sugar, a drizzle of lemon juice. Macerate the peaches overnight and then pour into ice cube trays. Enjoy your cobbler cubes a few hours later!  

Fruit Cup Chillers: Save extra fruit salad by turning it into easy frozen fruit cup treats. Fill a wide-mouthed popsicle mold, or even a muffin tin, with day-old fruit salad (a salad that's heavy on juicy berries instead of melon will work best). Pour extra orange juice to help the fruit adhere. Freeze, and enjoy!

Pop-o-Chinos: Make a big batch of iced coffee, but crush the ice cubes instead of leaving them whole. Freeze in popsicle molds, and enjoy, especially when you need to renew your energy mid-day. Just don't eat these right before bed!

Avocado Chocolate Pudding Pop: Blend 2 cups of milk, 5 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 1/2 cup of sugar and one ripe avocado (peeled and de-pitted of course), and freeze. Use almond milk if you prefer a vegan version.

Not So Nutty: If you're nuts about nuts, you'll love this treat that's reminiscent of egg nog (but appropriate for the summer season). For each cup of almond milk, use 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla. Blend together, freeze and pick one out of the freezer when you're in the mood for a protein-powered dessert.

Raspberry Yogurt Swirl: Use a 6-oz. cup of Greek yogurt and a cup of fresh raspberries. Puree. Add two teaspoons of honey if you prefer them sweeter.