Mango Citrus Popsicles

           It's FINALLY warm outside,after an incredibly, despicably wet and cool June. It's a very good thing that sun showed up, because people around here were starting to turn on one another after 9 months of being pent up in their houses in their long johns. The much anticipated heat means there will be as little oven use as possible here at the Third Story Bake Shop, since it is on the third floor after all. We have one small air conditioner that does nothing to cool our super long apartment, and since it's only really hot about 15 days a year here, we make due without baked foods.
     
The last few summers I've lived here I've made several wedding cakes in this heatbox. But last summer my boyfriend made me swear I'd never do it here  again, for a multitude of reasons,  including getting a 5 tier cake down 3 narrow flights of stairs is stress inducing for everybody involved..... However, the show must go on, and  there are many hot weather treats to be made.
      
Anyone whose talked to me for the past week knows how excited I've gotten recently about popsicles.  They're incredibly easy to make, delicious and pretty darn healthy too.  I got some silicone popsicle molds at Target for like 5 bucks and decided to get busy. I truly, deeply love mangoes, and decided to use this amazing Mango Lemonade that you can find at almost all grocery stores, especially a Co-op or Natural foods store: 
     
You will love it, I swear. Unless you're an alien who doesn't like mangoes or lemonade.
If you can't find this, a Mango Orange juice will work just fine, and I know there' several companies that make a good mango O.J.
         Mango Citrus Popsicles
                                                 
-3 cups mango lemonade or mango orange juice
-1/2 cup orange juice
-Zest and juice of two lemons
-zest and juice of three limes
-1 mango, peeled and cut into small chunks
Directions:
  Combine all ingredients  and pour into popsicle molds or ice cube trays. Place sticks in or toothpicks for ice cube trays. Freeze for at least 3 hours. this made 6 popsicles with the mold, and I figure it'd make about 1 and a half ice cube trays.

 Can you say "Freakin' Yum?"

  It really doesn't get any easier than that folks. This is also a stellar recipe to make with kids, because it's easy and is near impossible to mess up. The mango is so sweet that it really keeps it from being overpowered by the citrus. It's also  a really healthy and refreshing summer snack, that doesn't require turning on that blasted oven. I ate mine with a glass of black sun tea, and it was a perfect combo. If you don't want to buy popsicle molds, you can just use toothpicks and an ice cube tray, that works just fine too. Stay tuned, because my mind is reeling with new popsicle ideas, and if you've got any suggestions for flavors or ideas for recipes, feel free to share the popsicle love with the rest of us!