Popsicles - Orange with yogurt creamsicle, Raspberries and cream, Strawberry with hearts of pears

This post is dedicated to my shiny new toy - my new Zoku popsicle maker!
Yes, we are in the dead of winter and no one feels like anything cold and icy at the moment, but I bought this two days ago and just can't wait any longer to use it!

I love my new toy.  It's fun and very easy to use.  The toughest part is waiting the 7 minutes for the popsicles to set!  It's virtually a little "flash freezer" on your counter top.  The unit is filled with a saline solution that needs to freeze for at least 24 hours before using.  When it's ready, it is capable of freezing popsicles in 7 minutes and can make 9 popsicles at a time. 

The unit also has an optional "tool set", which, of course, I bought too.  Included are the long syringe (for creating creamsicles and core-flavored pops), little cutters and a hanging tool (for attaching cut-outs of fruits), and an angled stand (to make pops with cool angles).

Orange with yogurt creamsicle:
makes 3 popsicles

1/3 cup orange juice
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon honey

Pour orange juice up to the fill line in the pop maker. Meanwhile, mix yogurt, milk and honey together.  Using the long siphon, extract all of the juice from the pop maker once the shell has visibly frozen (about 1-2 minutes, depending on thickness desired).  Pour yogurt mixture into the mold. Wait until the pop freezes (about 6-7 minutes), then remove and enjoy!

Raspberries and Cream:
makes 3 popsicles

1 pint raspberries
2 teaspoons sugar
1/8 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup yogurt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Process raspberries, sugar, and cream in a food processor for 2 minutes.  Strain and set aside.  In separate small bowl, mix yogurt and vanilla.  Pour raspberry cream to approximately one-third of each pop mold.  Wait 4-5 minutes until frozen.  Pour yogurt mixture to fill mold up to two-thirds.  Wait 4-5 minutes until frozen.  Top with remaining raspberry cream.  Wait until pop is frozen, then remove and enjoy!

Strawberry with hearts of pears:
makes 3 popsicles

10 fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
2 teaspoons sugar
3 thin slices of pear (no more than 1/8" thick)

Process strawberries with sugar in food processor for 2 minutes.  Strain and set aside.  Using cutter, cut pear into 12 heart shapes.  Attach the fruit slice to the end of the fruit wand, insert pear hearts into the pop mold by pressing the fruit slice against the wall of the cavity.  The fruit will stick to the wall of the mold.  After you have finished decorating the pop mold, insert the pop sticks and fill the mold with prepared strawberry juice.  Wait until the pop freezes, them remove and enjoy!