Homemade Jell-O Pudding Pops

It's been years since the carefree summers of my childhood when I used to while away entire days watching soap operas, game shows and reruns of Three's Company in my parents' basement.  No homework, no swim practice, no bullies on the school bus, just long days stretching before me with nothing to do but whatever I wanted to at that moment.  Beside the television and stacks of teenage novels for nourishment, I had boxes of Jell-O Pudding Pops, which were usually the dessert to my lunch of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese or instant ramen noodles.

If you had them back in the day, you'll remember they weren't just frozen pudding.  They were something between pudding and a Popsicle, definitely creamy, but hard frozen so that they had a good tooth. And each one had a micro thin coating of ice that cracked slightly when you bit into it. They were the perfect summer treat to enjoy in a dark basement to the tune of "Come and knock on our door...".

I've been looking for them the last couple summers and, after some research, I realized they just don't make them anymore. So when Casey posted her version of scratch pudding pops I asked her if I could use instant pudding instead. Her response was, "I dunno...You'll have to try both and report back!"

So I did. Okay, I didn't try the scratch ones. Just the instant. Sorry Casey! I used a great set of popsicle molds from my travelin' friend, Ron, and they came out looking very professional. All I did was make the pudding according to package directions, but with a little extra milk to make them easier to pour into the molds.

But the question is, how were they? Well, they weren't the same as the mass produced ones, no crunchy outer coat, no creamy but firm popsicle. They were just...frozen pudding. But if you have a craving for a pudding pop they'll do. At least until they start making the originals again, hint hint.