Lately, this scorching heat takes away even our appetite, but not the desire for something fresh to enjoy in relaxation, like these red fruit popsicles, specifically cherries and raspberries! They are small vitamin desserts and low-calorie because they are made with only three ingredients: Greek yogurt, in my case with 2% fat, fresh fruit, and agave syrup, a sweetener with a lower glycemic index than regular table sugar. In this regard, however, I invite you to read the table below to discover some important information regarding the properties and contraindications of this sweetener. These popsicles, in short, are made in a few minutes and come to our aid when the craving for a refreshing and not too heavy dessert in terms of fats and calories arises. They will be perfect for the whole family and even for your children! A healthy snack to enjoy in the summer, at any time of the day, and, if desired, by varying the fruit available according to seasonality.
CURIOSITY: Did you know that not all agave syrups available on the market are so genuine? In fact, agave nectar, extracted from the agave plant, is generally processed to become syrup. The heat process, unfortunately, destroys most of the nutrients present in agave nectar. For this reason, it is recommended to use cold-extracted agave syrup, without the use of heat, and organic, to avoid the presence of residual chemicals. Although it is a sweetener and, as such, should never be used excessively, cold-pressed agave syrup offers some benefits. Agave juice sweetens about 25% more than sucrose. This allows for less usage, with a consequent lower calorie intake. It has a lower glycemic index than sucrose, which also contains glucose. Having a lower glycemic index means it affects blood glucose levels less. Additionally, it boasts a good amount of vitamin C. This vitamin is useful for the immune system as it stimulates the activity of the cells responsible for defending our body against microorganisms and foreign agents. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Excessive use of agave syrup is contraindicated in both normal and diabetic individuals, despite its low glycemic index. The high fructose content, in fact, would lead to liver overload with the development of liver diseases, high levels of uric acid, and triglycerides.
Source: https://www.viversano.net/alimentazione/mangiare-sano/sciroppo-di-agave/
If like me, you love to indulge yourself with healthy and genuine recipes, try these fitness-style alternatives too:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Rest time: 4 Hours
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 6 popsicles
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer
Ingredients
⚠ THIS RECIPE CONTAINS ONE OR MORE AFFILIATE LINKS. The products I recommend are the same ones I use in my recipes; purchasing them through my blog supports me and my work, while it will cost you nothing extra!
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup cherries (already pitted)
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1/4 cup agave syrup (or honey)
Tools
- 1 Knife
- 1 Mixer
- Silicone popsicle molds
Steps
Start by placing the Greek yogurt in a mixer.
Add the cherries already pitted and the raspberries.
Drizzle with agave syrup or honey if you prefer.
Blend for a few seconds until you get a smooth and homogeneous mixture.
Transfer the mixture to popsicle molds, insert sticks or the provided covers, and place in the freezer for at least 4 hours.
After this time, run the molds under running water for about 1 minute to facilitate the release of the popsicles. Let them sit at room temperature for 5′ if it’s very hot or 10′ if temperatures are still spring-like before enjoying them*.
And voila…your homemade red fruit popsicles are ready to be enjoyed!
Bon Appetit from La Cucina di FeFè!
Storage
👉 *Once removed from the molds, you can store the popsicles in the freezer on a tray covered with plastic wrap for up to 1 month.
Advice, notes, variations, and suggestions
🟣Depending on the season, you can replace cherries and raspberries with the same quantity of another type of fruit that you have available or prefer.
