Help your blood pressure with low fat pudding pops

You can cut the fat and calories in traditional pudding pops and still enjoy a frozen treat. Here's how:

• 125 g (1/2 c) turbinado (raw) sugar
• 50 g (1/4 c) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 65 g (4 1/2 tbsp) cornstarch
• 1 egg
• 750 ml (3 c) reduced-fat milk
• 50 g (2 oz/1/3 c) bittersweet chocolate, broken into pieces
• 15 g (1 tbsp) butter
• 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
• 500 g (1 pint) strawberries, hulled

Preparation time: 10 minutes, plus 8 hours freezing. Cooking time: 10 minutes. Serves 12.

1. In a medium pot, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder and cornstarch. Put the pot over medium heat and whisk in the egg until fully incorporated (the mixture will be very thick).
2. Gradually whisk in the milk and cook, whisking frequently, until the mixture bubbles and thickens, about 10 minutes. Cook one minute longer. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate, butter and vanilla until the chocolate is completely melted.
3. Meanwhile, puree the strawberries in a food processor. Stir the strawberry puree into the chocolate pudding.
4. Cool slightly, then pour into a dozen 75 millilitre (three ounce) plastic or paper drinking cups. Insert wooden craft sticks or small metal spoons, holding the sticks or spoons briefly until they stand upright as the pudding cools.
5. Cover with plastic wrap, poking the wrap right through the stick or spoon. Freeze until solid, about 8 hours or up to one week. To unmold, hold by the stick or spoon and run warm water over the outside of the cup just until the pop comes free.

• If strawberries are out of season, go with 500 grams (two cups) of pitted sweet cherries such as Bing or Royal Ann.
• A set of plastic frozen dessert cups and sticks can be used, as well as paper cups.

Per serving:

• 120 Calories
• 4 g Fat (2 g Saturated Fat)
• 19 g Carbs
• 3 g Protein
• 1 g Fibre
• 21 mg Cholesterol
• 47 mg Sodium
• 81 mg Calcium

It's a good summer day when you can pull homemade pudding pops from the freezer. We put a healthier spin on traditional pudding by using just one egg, and a combination of cocoa powder and solid chocolate.