Ice Cream Pop Extravaganza

It's wedding season and part of the fun that comes with it is bridal showers!! Our family hosted a shower for my cousin and his soon-to-be bride this week and I signed up to bring the ice cream dessert. But as soon as I started looking for recipe ideas, I knew that one kind would not do.  Seeing as its summer and there were going to be kids at the shower, I wanted to come up with something fun and easy to eat outdoors. My kids were beside themselves when they wandered into the kitchen and asked what I was making: Ice Cream Pops!  We chose 5 different kinds and they were delicious.

And here is a picture of the whole spread, including a yummy peanut butter brownie cheesecake pizza.

And, because it was one the favorite, I decided to post the recipe for the Mint Chocolate Pops.

Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Pops

1/2 cup crushed chocolate mint cookies (I used chocolate mint Oreos)

1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk

1 1/4 cups mint chocolate ice cream

6 tablespoons quick-hardening chocolate shell ice cream topping

6 dixie cups

6 pop sticks

 Step 1: Crush Cookies
I took 5 cookies and broke them up into large chunks.  Then, I ran them through my food processor until the consistency was a nice fine crumb. You shouldn't be able to see any large chunks or bits of icing.

Step 2: Make "Crust"

Add 1 tablespoon milk to the crumbs and mash them together with a fork until evenly distributed. Then, divide the cookie crumbs evenly between your 6 dixie cups (about a tablespoon per cup), and using either a spoon or your fingers, press them firmly onto the bottom of the cup.

 Step 3: Ice Cream Layer

In a blender, combine Ice Cream and remaining 1/3 cup milk until smooth and frothy. Pour into cups over cookie base.
Freeze for 1 hour.

Step 4: Insert Sticks

Remove pops from freezer, and cover each cup with tinfoil. Then, lightly press a popsicle stick into each cup, taking care not to press through the bottom cookie crumb layer. Freeze for 1 more hour.

Step 5: Topping

Take tinfoil off of cups, and drizzle 1 tablespoon of the quick-hardening chocolate onto each pop, ensuring that the entire surface is evenly covered.  Place back into the freezer, uncovered, for 4-6 hours until firm.

Step 6: Remove and Enjoy!
To serve, gently twist frozen pops out of paper cups without pulling on sticks. If you need to loosen them a little, run them under hot water for just a second or two, but not longer or you will melt your ice cream. Now you are ready to enjoy your delicious treat!