Apple Cider #Paletas w. Cinnamon Sticks: Autumn #Popsicles!

It's getting chilly here in New York. But that doesn't stop me from making popsicles, which my son loves. It's a great way for me to get more fruits and veggies into his belly, since he'll pretty much eat any kind of frozen treat on a stick. One of his favorites is my Candy Corn Popsicles—perfect, even in chilly October.

I got inspiration for these particular ice pops from a CD of world music for kids: All Around This World: Latin America. The disc was given to me by a friend who provides these wonderful classes in my area. My son enjoyed the classes, which feature songs from around the globe and expose kids to music that you won't hear on Radio Disney.

Since we're up to our ears in apples and apple cider this time of year, I'm always looking for new ways to use them. And the Mexican music on the CD put me in the mood for paletas: Mexican ice pops made with fresh fruit and juice or water. Right up my alley!

Paletas get their name from the wooden stick—palo—frozen into each pop. I decided to switch it up a little bit and embrace fall by using a cinnamon stick instead. 

I used my Vitamix to really liquefy my apples, but if your blender isn't so powerful, you could try using applesauce instead, or just go with straight cider. You can use spiced cider, or not. Also, the amounts you'll need will depend on how big your popsicle molds are. Basically, just play around with it to suit your needs. Here's what I did:

Ingredients
makes about 8 two-ounce popsicles

• 2 small apples, cored (and peeled, if you want)
• about 1 1/2 cup apple cider
• 8 cinnamon sticks or craft sticks
• cinnamon, nutmeg, other spices, optional

Blend cider and apples (and spices, if using) until smooth. Pour into BPA-free popsicle molds. Freeze with cinnamon sticks. To hold the sticks upright: either freeze for a while until the mixture is icy enough to support the sticks, or you can cover the mold with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then push the sticks through (the wrap will hold them in place). I did the first option, since my molds were deep and cinnamon sticks relatively short.

The cinnamon adds a lovely autumnal flavor and is just a fun, seasonal twist on a regular popsicle stick. My son thought it was so cool—I just had to remind him not to try to eat the stick.

Were we immediately transported to warm and sunny Mexico? Nope. But the frozen pops and wonderful music provided a lovely afternoon daydream...