Every week on Food52, a DIY expert spares us a trip to the grocery store and shows us how to make small batches of great foods at home.
Today: The easiest way to feel like a kid on the Fourth of July? Make Rocket Pops at home with this recipe from Ashley of Edible Perspective.
Growing up, Rocket Pops were my favorite summer treat. They’re juicy, they're refreshing -- but they’re also filled with a long list of unnecessary ingredients. So I've made a fruit-heavy, lightly sweetened treat that you will enjoy all summer long -- starting with the Fourth of July. It may not look exactly like the traditional Rocket Pop, but it also won’t include made-up fruit like the infamous blue raspberry.
These are perfect for cooks of any age -- and they're especially great for the kiddos to get involved with. If you don't have an ice-pop mold, don't worry! These can easily be made using small paper cups. Just freeze the mixture as directed in the instructions, then peel the paper away just before eating.
If you want to serve these to a crowd -- say, on the Fourth of July -- but you only have one set of popsicle molds, here's what to do: make a batch of popsicles, then remove them from the molds, wrap them in parchment paper, and place them on a baking sheet in your freezer. Then make another batch, and repeat, continuing to stack them on the baking sheet until you've made enough to serve your guests.
- For a creamier version, use full-fat or light canned coconut milk instead of coconut water. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid you use.
- To remove the blackberry seeds: Pour the blackberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer and help work it through with the back of the spoon. The seeds should remain in the strainer.
- And feel free to use raspberries instead of strawberries!
Homemade Berry Rocket Pops
Makes four 3.5-ounce pops
1 cup hulled strawberries, partially frozen
1/2 cup blueberries, partially frozen
1/2 cup blackberries, partially frozen
1 to 1 3/4 cup coconut water, divided
2 to 3 tablespoons agave nectar or honey, divided
2 to 3 tablespoons lime juice
You want to start with berries that are either frozen then partially thawed, or partially frozen. In your blender, blend the strawberries, 1/4 to 1/2 cup coconut water, and 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons sweetener. You want the mixture to be thick, so use the smallest amount of coconut water possible. And add your sweetener last to avoid it sticking to the bottom of your blender.
Empty the strawberry mixture into a bowl or glass and freeze for about 30 minutes -- it should start to thicken. Rinse your blender, then repeat with your blackberries, blueberries, coconut water, and sweetener: blend and freeze.
Rinse your blender, then blend the crushed ice, lime juice, lime zest, 1/2 to 3/4 cup coconut water, and 1 tablespoon sweetener, again adding the sweetener last and using as little coconut water as possible. Taste for sweetness. Place in a bowl in the freezer for about 30 minutes, until starting to thicken.
You want your purées to reach a texture where you can spoon them on top of one another without them mixing -- like a thick slushy. After all mixtures have thickened, fill your popsicle molds about 1/3 of the way up with the strawberry mixture. Tap on the counter to level.
Spoon in the lime mixture next making sure there are no air pockets (lightly poke with the top end of the spoon to help fill gaps), then top with the blackberry/blueberry layer and level off the top.
Place popsicle sticks in the ends (your mixture should be thick enough that they remain standing) and freeze until solid, about 4 to 5 hours.
Serve your popsicles once frozen. They may need to thaw for about 5 to 10 minutes before you're able to remove them from the molds. Grab one, and you'll feel like a kid again. Happy Fourth of July!
Photos by Ashley McLaughlin
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.