By Amanda Hill

This week marks the “official start” of summer, but the temperature makes me feel like we’re already weeks into the season. But, if you’re looking for an excuse to celebrate summer this weekend, do I have a treat for you!

When I was a kid, summer brought a few certainties—swimming, camp and Frozen Fruit Cups. Each summer, Mom would make a batch (or two, or three) of Frozen Fruit Cups to store in the freezer. It was a sweet treat that my brother and I were free to grab and snack on during a hot summer afternoon. I don’t get to spend as much time at the pool anymore, but I still make Frozen Fruit Cups to enjoy on the patio during a hot Texas evening.

For Frozen Fruit Cups, you will need…Fruit Cup Ingredients
3 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 can frozen orange juice concentrate (no pulp)
3-4 bananas
2 cups green grapes
2 pkg. frozen strawberries, unsweetened
1 pkg. frozen raspberries, unsweetened
1 can (large) sliced pineapple
2 cans (small) mandarin oranges

This is a very simple recipe—perfect if you have any “little helpers” in the kitchen. Begin by making a simple syrup. Combine the water and sugar in a large pot over medium heat. (Be sure to use a big enough pot to fit all of the ingredients. It fills up fast!) Stir until the sugar starts to “disappear.”

While the simple syrup is heating, thoroughly wash the grapes and slice the bananas. Set aside. When the syrup has combined and thickened slightly, add in the frozen juice concentrate. Stir slowly until the juice mixes with the syrup. Once the mixture is well combined, remove from the heat and let cool for a few minutes before adding the fruit.

Once the juice mixture has cooled, add in all of your fruit. Do not drain the canned pineapple and mandarin oranges before adding to the pot. The extra juice blends with the orange juice mixture and makes a wonderful citrus base.

Fruit Cups_in pot

Mix to evenly combine the fruit and juices. Stir well to be sure each cup gets a bite of all of the different kinds of fruit. It will start to look like a “fruit soup” of sorts…

Fruit Cups_mixed 

Next, ladle the fruit mixture into individual plastic cups. If desired, cover each cup with a small piece of plastic wrap. Put the fruit cups in the freezer overnight.

Fruit Cups_cups

Before serving, remove a cup from the freezer. The fruit may be too frozen to eat right away, so let it thaw for 10-15 minutes before eating.

To me, nothing says summer more than Frozen Fruit Cups. It’s a fairly guiltless treat that I’m happy to make for my family to beat the Texas heat. I hope you and your family will love them, too. From all of us at Texas Table Top, enjoy!

 

[print_this]

[box]

Recipe: Frozen Fruit Cups

Summary: A refreshing, fruit-filled summer treat

Pool Snack - Frozen Fruit Cups

Ingredients

  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 can frozen orange juice concentrate (no pulp)
  • 3-4 bananas
  • 2 cups green grapes
  • 2 pkg. frozen strawberries, unsweetened
  • 1 pkg. frozen raspberries, unsweetened
  • 1 can (large) sliced pineapple
  • 2 cans (small) mandarin oranges

Instructions

  • Begin by making a simple syrup by combining the water and sugar in a large pot over medium heat.
  • While the simple syrup is heating, thoroughly wash the grapes and slice the bananas. Set aside.
  • When the syrup has combined and thickened slightly, add in the frozen juice concentrate.
  • Stir slowly until the juice mixes with the syrup.
  • Add in all of your fruit. Mix well.
  • Ladle the fruit mixture into individual plastic cups.
  • If desired, cover each cup with a small piece of plastic wrap.
  • Freeze fruit cups overnight.
  • Before serving, remove a cup from the freezer. Let thaw for 10-15 minutes and enjoy!

     

Cooking time (duration): 15 minutes

Number of servings (yield): 18-24

[/box]

[/print_this]

[pinit]