Low-carb chai tea ice pops

Skip the store-bought sugary ice pops and make your own healthy frozen treats at home.

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t It’s summer and temperatures are on the rise. Nothing beats a frosty ice pop to help cool you down on a hot summer day. But store bought ice pops can derail the healthiest of diets, as they typically contain huge amounts of added sugar. Thankfully, ice pop molds are inexpensive and a great way to make your own healthy frozen treats.

t These low-carb chai tea ice pops have a wonderful, sophisticated flavor and you can sweeten them to your own liking. I found that they really didn’t need much sweetener at all to be a refreshing summer treat. My kids loved them too. They melt quickly in the heat, though, so grab plenty of napkins.

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Low-carb chai tea ice pops

t Serves 6-8 medium ice pops

Ingredients:

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• 2 cups water

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• 2 cinnamon sticks

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• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced

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• 1/2 vanilla bean, split down the middle

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• 1 star anise

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• 8 cardamom seeds, gently crushed

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• 6 whole peppercorns

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• Pinch ground cloves

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• 2 bags black tea

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• 1-1/2 cups whipping cream

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• 1/4 cup erythritol sweetener, such as Swerve or 1/4 teaspoon liquid stevia extract

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• Additional sweetener to taste

Directions:

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1. Combine water, cinnamon sticks, ginger, vanilla bean, anise, cardamom, peppercorns and cloves in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low and simmer 15 minutes.

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2. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Let steep 5 to 10 minutes.

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3. Pour mixture through a strainer and let cool completely.

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4. Stir in cream and sweetener. Add additional sweetener to taste.

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5. Pour mixture into ice pop molds and freeze one hour.

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6. Insert wooden ice pop sticks about 2/3 down into the molds and continue to freeze until solid, another 2 or 3 hours.

t Nutritional Facts per serving (6 servings): 117 Calories; 11g Fat; 2g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; 0g Dietary Fiber; 39mg Cholesterol; 24mg Sodium.