Orange Push Pop Pudding

INGREDIENTS:

3 oz of orange-flavored gelatin mix

1 cup of water, heated to boiling

½ cup of water, chilled

3.4 oz of instant vanilla pudding mix

2 teaspoons of zested orange peel

8 oz of frozen whipped topping, thawed

Extra whipped cream and fresh orange slices for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Start by taking a sizeable mixing bowl and add the orange gelatin mix to it. Carefully pour in the boiling water and whisk vigorously until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Then, introduce the cold water into the mix.

Place this gelatin mixture into the refrigerator for about 12 minutes to let it cool slightly.

After the designated cooling time, retrieve the mixture from the refrigerator. Now, incorporate the vanilla pudding mix, stirring continuously until the mixture attains a smooth consistency.

Return the mixture to the refrigerator for an additional 15 minutes to set a bit more.

After this period, remove the mixture from the fridge again. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping along with the fresh orange zest, ensuring an even distribution throughout the mixture.

Cover the mixture and let it refrigerate. It is recommended to refrigerate it overnight, but if pressed for time, a minimum of 2 hours should suffice to achieve the desired consistency.

Before serving, garnish each portion with a dollop of extra whipped cream and a slice of fresh orange for a visually appealing and flavorful finish.