Did you know that ice pops were invented by an 11-year-old boy? In 1905, 11-year-old Frank Epperson accidentally left a soda mixture out in the cold all night. It froze, and in the morning he licked the tasty treat off the stir stick. He eventually patented the frozen treat. Like Epperson, you can make your own frozen treats to help you cool off this summer.
As you might have guessed, making ice pops involves a change of state. You start by making a liquid mixture with your favorite ingredients. In liquids, the particles of matter can slide past each other. You pour the liquid into a mold, and it takes the shape of the mold. You place the liquid mixture in the freezer and its particles slow down, and group together as it freezes into a solid. The particles in a solid only vibrate. If you remove a frozen ice pop from the mold, it will keep the shape of the mold. You can eat it right off the stick!
There are endless possibilities for making your own ice pops, and you probably already have everything that you need in your kitchen. Follow these simple steps to create your own fantastic frozen flavors.
1. Gather or locate the equipment you will need. This includes molds or paper cups, craft sticks, a freezer, a mixing bowl, and a spoon.
2. Gather your ingredients. These include fruit (sliced or pureed), a liquid (juice, water, yogurt, or cream), and a sweetener (honey or syrup work best). Be creative!
3. Mix your ingredients in a bowl.
4. Pour the mixture into the molds or paper cups.
5. Place the mixture in the freezer. If you don’t have a mold, insert the craft sticks after the mixture has started to freeze so they stand up. Tip: Stirring the mixture occasionally as it freezes will result in a softer texture.
6. Freeze your ice pops for 6 to 8 hours. Then remove them from the mold and enjoy your tasty treat!
Experiment with different ingredients to see what you like and what works best.
What Can You Do? What is your recipe for the perfect pop?
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