ZOKU ICE POPS MAKER

It's summer and berry season! 

What better way to showcase fresh local fruit than in a homemade ice pop? 

I recently purchased the Zoku Quick Pop Maker from Cookworks for $69.00 (Cdn).  I also got the Zoku Tools kit for $25.00 (Cdn) and the Quick Pops Recipe Book for inspiration for $22.99 (Cdn).

You can also purchase these at Williams Sonoma, but they're more expensive there for some reason.  I know you Americans can get these things way cheaper in the Williams Sonoma in the U.S.  Even on Amazon it looks cheaper. Oh well, c'est la vie.  Cookworks, Vancouver is located only a few blocks from Williams Sonoma (which is on Granville) on W. Broadway and  they had plenty of stock on hand.  

I'm a bit of a shut-in currently because I'm 3 days post-op from a right hemi-thyroidectomy.  So I sent Stomach to pick up the Quick Pops maker at Cookworks so I could make and eat something that is healthy, cooling and fun.  I haven't eaten in 3 days from the queasineess of general anaesthesia, so this is a welcome treat.  

This is my very first video...I have never made one before and I'm just using my iPhone4 and the Splice App to see how it goes.  It's kind of scary...using YouTube and everything.  Next time, I'll actually make a video clip with my iPhone4 instead of just using still shots with the camera.  Tell me if you like videos and I'll make more Video BrainCandy.  

Video Braincandy:  Watermelon & Peach/Pear Creamsicle Zoku Pops by Cakebrain

CAKEBRAIN'S CREAMSICLE CORE POPS

INNER CORE CREAMSICLE LAYER: (adapted from Zoku QuickPops book)

• 1  4-oz container vanilla pudding
• 1/4 cup 2% milk
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons condensed milk
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Combine all the ingredients together and whisk until smooth.
2. Refrigerate until cold.
3. Use as the core filling for the following fruit puree variations:

WATERMELON CREAMSICLE POPS

Watermelon layer:

• 1cup cubed seedless watermelon, pureed and strained
• 1 1/2 teaspoons organic agave nectar
• inner core creamsicle filling (recipe above)

optional:  1/8 thinly sliced apples, cut into little hearts and stars

1. Combine watermelon puree and agave.  Stir to combine.  Refrigerate until cold.
2. Insert any fruit slice decorations in the prepared Zoku Quick Pops mold. 
3. Insert pop sticks in mold.
4. Fill the pop molds just below the pour line with watermelon puree
5. Allow to set about 30 seconds, or until you see the outer edges harden.  
6. Using a straw, or the handy suction tool from the Tool Kit, suck out the inner juice from the core.  
7. Carefully pour in the Creamsicle Filling.  Allow to set a further few minutes until solid.  
8. Use the Super Tool to unlock the ice pop.  Serve.

PEACH & PEAR CREAMSICLE ICE POP

• 4 oz Sunrype Peach & Pear Juice (any store-bought juice will do!)
• optional:  thinly sliced fruit decorations
• inner core creamsicle filling

1. Ensure you use cold juice preferably, for quicker set-up.
2. Insert any fruit slice decorations in the prepared Zoku Quick Pops mold. 
3. Insert pop sticks in mold.
4. Fill the pop molds just below the pour line with fruit juice
5. Allow to set about 30 seconds, or until you see the outer edges harden.  
6. Using a straw, or the handy suction tool from the Tool Kit, suck out the inner juice from the core.  
7. Carefully pour in the Creamsicle Filling.  Allow to set a further few minutes until solid.  
8. Use the Super Tool to unlock the ice pop.  Serve.

HANDY ZOKU TIPS:

• DO NOT rinse your Cold Zoku with water.  It will freeze up.  Instead, make sure you fully defrost and wash and fully dry before refreezing the unit.  You will not be able to remove pops if you rinse with water.
• Zoku recommends that instead of washing after every use, you just pop the Zoku back in the freezer to be refrozen and used again.
• The Zoku unit requires at least 24 hours in the freezer to freeze the unit properly.  If there's sloshing in the unit, it is not cold enough.  Either it needs more time in the freezer or your freezer isn't cold enough.
• DO NOT touch the Cold Zoku with wet fingers.  You'll get stuck.  
• Use a pair of chopsticks or a skewer to test the tops of the pops to make sure they are set properly before using the Super Tool to unlock the pops.
• DO NOT use Splenda or low-sugar/no-sugar ingredients or the pops will not pull out easily
• DO NOT use alcohol in recipes as the pops will not set properly
• DO use natural sweeteners like honey, agave and sugar.  You only need a little and it'll make your life easier pulling out the pops from the molds.
• DO use natural fruit juices straight from the bottle, without needing any additional sweeteners
• Chopsticks or tweezers come in handy when sticking the thinly sliced fruit decorations on the sides of the molds.  Dip in acidulated water to help adhesion.

Stay tuned for more Zoku Pops recipes from Cakebrain...this is easy and fun!

Cookworks 

1548 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 5K9(604) 731-1148 ‎cookworks.ca
C

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Williams Sonoma Inc 

2903 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3J6(778) 330-2581 ‎williams-sonoma.ca

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