Yogurt Pops & Magic Shell

Summer is officially here, and I’m not just talking about a date on the calendar. It’s getting hot! Last week, we went to visit my mom and the afternoon high was around 100F. To help Talya cool off, I bought her a frozen fruit juice popsicle. It got me thinking about healthy frozen treats. I was certain I could come up with something just as easy as buying a popsicle, but hopefully, more fun and nutritious. That’s when the idea of Magic Shell and yogurt pops hit me. I don’t know if Magic Shell is still a big thing. But when I was a kid, it was all the rage. You’d pour it over ice cream, or, dip a frozen banana. Within seconds the chocolate (like magic) would harden. It turns out, making your own Magic Shell isn’t difficult. All you need is some chocolate chips and a bit of oil. I decided to use algae oil because it’s loaded with omega fatty acids.

For the popsicles, I simply froze some yogurt in popsicle molds. I decided to use Brainiac cherry-vanilla yogurt. One tube of Brainiac’s yogurt contains as much choline as an entire head of broccoli, and just like the algae oil, it’s also loaded with nutrient rich omega fatty acids. For the record, they are not paying me to say this. It’s simply a fantastic product for kids that I love.

For toppings, I set out some toasted almonds, chia seeds, dried raspberries, edible flowers, and a few rainbow sprinkles (we earned enough healthy eating points to add in one naughty treat). Talya happily dipped the popsicles herself. The chocolate does harden quickly. So, I helped her add the toppings. It was a fun little activity and the results were truly delicious.

If you’re looking for a cool and healthy treat, not to mention a fun activity, make this recipe for Magic Shell and yogurt pops. 

Do It Yourself Magic Shell:

Yields about 1 cup

2/3 cup dark chocolate chips

2 tablespoons Thrive algae oil

In a microwave safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and algae oil. Heat for about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, so that the chocolate doesn’t burn. Once the chips are melted and blended with the oil, cool slightly before serving.

To make the yogurt pops and frozen fruit:

14 ounces Cherry vanilla yogurt, preferably Brainiac Kids

2 bananas, halved and frozen

8 strawberries, washed

Popsicles sticks

Fill six popsicle molds with the yogurt and freeze overnight. Peel the bananas and slice in half. Insert a stick and place on a parchment lined sheet pan. Add the strawberries and freeze overnight. When ready to use, remove from the freezer. Dip, sprinkle on any toppings you’d like, and serve.