Banana Split POPS!

Last week, I was browsing this store and found this cookbook and was amazed at all of the fun popsicle ideas.  It made me excited to try one and even more excited for summer!

I tried making the banana split pops.  The fun part is that the banana is in the middle of the popsicle, so it's sort of a "surprise."  They were way more time-consuming than I expected, but very fun.  And fun to eat.  I still have some left in my freezer. 

First I peeled and cut in half seven bananas (to make 14 pops). 

Next I put some strawberry topping in the bottom of each plastic (or paper is fine) cup, and placed the banana half with popsicle stick in the cup.  They were hard to balance and keep straight, but can be readjusted a little bit later.  I stuck them in the freezer for about an hour. 

Next, I added strawberry ice cream and pineapple topping (freeze for 1 hour).  Then vanilla ice cream with fudge (freeze again).  Last, chocolate ice cream (freeze one more time).  And....

ta-da!

A banana split pop.  Also fun to add whipped cream and a cherry for the full sundae effect.

Here's the full recipe (take from POPS! cookbook by Krystina Caestella)

Banana Split Pops

• 1/2 banana (cut crosswise) for each pop
• 1 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
• 1/3 cup pineapple topping
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate ice cream
• 1/3 cup chocolate fudge
• 1 1/2 cups strawberry ice cream
• 1/3 cup strawberry topping
• Whipped cream
• 1 maraschino cherry for each pop
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts 

1. Stick the banana halves onto the pop sticks. Use paper cups as molds for these pops. Divide the strawberry topping among the paper cup molds. Freeze for 1 hour.
2. Top with the strawberry ice cream and the pineapple topping. Freeze for 1 hour.
3. Top with the vanilla ice cream and the chocolate fudge. Add the chocolate ice cream. Freeze for 6 hours.
4. Peel off and discard the paper cups. Top each pop with whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. Serve to kids of all ages.

Besides making (and eating) banana split pops, we also tiled our laundry room, master bath, and are currently finishing our kids' bathroom. The most wonderful in-law family ever came up to help us out.  Phew, it is a lot of work.  My hands hurt...

We also had peanut butter sandwiches on this bread (Sara Lee Soft & Smooth 100% Whole Wheat...we are liking it).  With some milk, because how can you eat peanut butter without milk?

And talked about how BIG we are getting.  "So big!" 

We also told some FUNNY stories. 

It was a good week!