We are at the tail-end (no pun intended) of the Dog Days of Summer right now. These days referred to by the Romans as diēs caniculārēs was associated with hot weather and the star of Sirius. Dog Days extend from July 24 through August 24. Out here in Southern California, we may experience Dog Days like weather through September. {Sigh} I really do prefer cooler weather.
Besides using the air conditioner and floor fans, a nice break from heat can be appreciated and enjoyed by making and serving homemade ice cream or popsicles. I’ve mentioned in past posts that chai spices and chai spiced treats are a sense of comfort to me (see previous posts Organic Chai Tea Latte and Chai Spice Sugar Cookies). What I really liked about these popsicles was that I didn’t feel full and regretful of indulging in this frosty treat.
I’ve played with this recipe in two different ways, thus sharing with you two different methods. What’s the difference between these popsicles that are named the same?
Organic Chai & Vanilla Yogurt Popsicles – Method 1
This is a more creamier version with the chai flavors mixed in with the vanilla yogurt. The flavor meld results in a more “fudgesicle-type” texture.
Organic Chai & Vanilla Yogurt Popsicles – Method 2
This is a layered frosty treat that is seemingly like a granita meets creamy combination. The chai layer is almost granita-like in texture (instead of using water, we’ve used a milk-base). The vanilla yogurt layer is slightly sweet with a great, slightly creamy like texture.
So which method did I prefer? Seriously, without any bias…I liked them both. Even though they are similar and use basically the same ingredients, they are quite different in texture, and of course the presentation. Note: These popsicles are not lip-smacking sweet. They have a great flavor and sense of chai, but not an intense sweet that you’re going to need some type of neutral type liquid to chase it down afterwards.
If you like chai, or even if you’ve never had chai spiced treats before, I hope you’ll give these frosty, practically guilt-free treats a try. Enjoy the ending hours of the Dog Days of Summer 2011!
- Used Tazo™ Organic Chai concentrate (see previous post w/image of the concentrate: Organic Chai Tea Latte). Found the Tazo concentrate at both Vons and Target. There used to be a decaffeinated variety, but lately haven’t been able to find it. Update 9/15/2011: Target carries all three varieties of the Tazo™ conentrates – Chai, Organic Chai and Decaffeinated Chai in the 32 oz. cartons. Starbucks is no longer carrying the concentrates in their stores (which is odd since Tazo™ is part of the Starbucks company).
- Alternative to Chai concentrate: Brew two teabags/filterbags of chai tea with 1 cup of water.
- Used Dannon’s low-fat Vanilla flavored yogurt. You can find it in a generous 32 oz container.
- Greek yogurt could work well here too. Greek yogurt has a slightly different texture but it’s fantastic in popsicles too (see previous post Juicy Popsicles with Greek Yogurt Filling).
- Organic Chai & Vanilla Yogurt Popsicles – Method 2: Used lowfat-2% milk. Using whole milk or Soy Vanilla Milk would be a great substitution too, if you have it on hand.
- Used six 4-ounce popsicle molds that have their own handles. However, for these popsicles I opted to not use the plastic handles, substituting wooden popsicle sticks.
- Found popsicle sticks at Wal-Mart in the craft section and Michael’s. They’re more commonly labeled as craft sticks and are packaged in a variety of sizes. Wash and dry them before use.
- Using popsicle molds found at Crate & Barrel, they are similar to the Tovolo popsicle molds found on Amazon.com.
Organic Chai & Vanilla Yogurt Popsicles – Method 1
Makes 6, 4-oz popsicles
2 1/4 cups Lowfat Vanilla Yogurt
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 cup Organic Chai Concentrate (see Teenie Notes for alternative options)
In a medium sized bowl, combine the yogurt with sugar. Add the chai concentrate and using a whisk, whisk the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
Pour and evenly disperse the yogurt-chai mixture among six, 4-ounce popsicle molds.
- If your popsicle molds have the lid/handle combination, place the tops on the molds. Lightly tap molds on your kitchen counter to release any air bubbles.
- If you’re using popsicle sticks, very lightly tap molds on your kitchen counter to release any air bubbles. Place molds in the freezer for 30-45 minutes or until the mixture is more firm. Add popsicle sticks to the molds and return the molds to the freezer.
Freeze popsicles for 6 hours to overnight before serving.
Organic Chai & Vanilla Yogurt Popsicles – Method 2
Makes 6, 4-oz popsicles
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup chai concentrate
1 1/2 cups Lowfat Vanilla Yogurt
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
Combine the milk and chai concentrate, mix well. Pour 2 ounces/1/4 cup of the milk/chai mixture into each popsicle mold. Place in the freezer and freeze for 45 minutes or until the mixture is firm.
Combine the yogurt with the sugar. Using a small spoon, evenly disperse the yogurt mixture among the popsicle molds. Lightly tap molds on your kitchen counter to release any air bubbles.
- If your popsicle molds have the lid/handle combination, place the tops on the molds.
- If you’re using popsicle sticks, place molds in the freezer for 30-45 minutes or until the mixture is more firm. Add popsicle sticks to the molds and return the molds to the freezer.
Freeze popsicles for 6 hours to overnight before serving.
![[click to view] Cristina A-Moore Photography: Food Photography Video in HD on Vimeo](http://www.TeenieCakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/CAMooreFP-VideoDM-150x150.jpg "[click to view] Cristina A-Moore Photography: Food Photography Video in HD on Vimeo")
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
All of these look so good!
Wow! These look amazing!
Wow these sound so amazing and the photos make me want one so badly! What a great combination of flavors.
These are truly beautiful, I could eat one right now. Lovely photos!
Suzi
Yum!!!
We are just about to come into summer so this will go down a treat!
Great photo too!
My sisters also share a similar fondness for chai lattes…needless to say, these popsicles made me smile! I wish it was getting cooler here in Austin. We have another week of 100 degree heat ahead of us. Popsicle time!
oh you are a woman after my own heart. Chai is so high up on my comfort food/drink list. I keep a batch of my own chai seasoning mix in a jar for adding to all kinds of things. I made a big mug of chai tea on Monday because it was pouring out all day and it just felt necessary. I have to try these for sure.
Starbucks in Canada sells the Tazo chai concentrate – they use it in all their chai drinks (they still make the chai frappacino if you ask nicely!)
Totally drooling over these Tina! Great job with the photos too, obviously! :)
They both look fantastic! I doubt I could choose so one of each would be lovely :)
Hope you are having a wonderful week…
Oooh! I like the separated ones but they both sound lovely. Great summer treat :) Buzzed
I’m a Chai fan and would love to try these. Thanks for your notes also, they’re very helpful.
Wow these pops look so refreshing…love them both, although I think I would go for the yogurt version.
Hope you have a wonderful week ahead Cristina :-)
Very original popsicles, i would like to try both methods!
These look absolutely delightful!
I’ve never seen such beautiful popsicles! YUM
Totally digging the photo with the cute little bite mark! And love this recipe! Popsicles are EVERYWHERE!
What delicious popsicle recipes! I may just have to try both recipes. Thanks for sharing!
Ok, I am soooo making these. I LOVE chai anything! What a great idea! Thanks for the recipes!
Love that you gave us 2 methods to chose from. They both look wonderful. Now if I could only decide which? Ok both!
Love that you gave us 2 methods to chose from. They booth look wonderful. Now if I could only decide which? Ok both!
Oh Cristina…. I want this SO BAD…. I love chai…and together with vanilla yogurt. I will secretly eat 2-3 a day. I think I won’t be able to stop eating these popsicles… I make my own chai…I wonder if I can pull this off. =P Beautiful photos and I always enjoy looking at them!
These look and sound wonderful. I will have to try and make some for sure.
These look amazing and props to you for taking gorgeous pictures of popsicles!