Saffron kulfi pops

1 1/2 qt Whole milk
    1/3 c  Sugar
   1/16 ts Powdered saffron
           -OR
    1/8 ts Saffron threads
      1 tb Boiling water
      8    Paper cups
           -OR
           Cooking parchment
           -OR
           Waxed paper
      8    Ice cream sticks (opt)
 
  In a 6-8 quart pan over high heat, stir milk and sugar until simmering.
  Over medium-high heat, boil until reduced to 2 cups, 25-35 minutes,
  stirring often; slide pan partially off heat if milk threaten to boil over.
  Let cool; to speed cooling, set pan in ice water.
  
  Place saffron in a small bowl. Add boiling water, stir, and let stand for 5
  minutes. Break up threads with a small spoon. Scrape mixture into warm
  reduced milk mixture.
  
  Set paper cups in a rimmed pan. Or, to make cones, cut 8 pieces of
  parchment or waxed paper into 7-1/2" squares. Fold each piece in half to
  make a triangle. With long edge toward you, bring 1 of the 45' angles to
  the top of the triangle, then roll toward other angle. To close hole at
  bottom, starting from the top, press 1 inside sheet to tyhe opposite side.
  Tape the cone in a few places to hold it together. Support each cone,
  pointed end down, in a cup slightly taller than the cone; set cups in a
  rimmed pan.
  
  Divide milk mixture among cups or cones. Freeze until kulfi is thick but
  not hard, 1 to 1-1/2 hours; then, if desired, push an ice cream stick into
  each container. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours longer. To eat, peel off
  paper. To store, seal kjulfi (still in cups or cones) in a parge plastic
  bag; freeze for up to 2 weeks.
  
  Per serving: 143 calories; 6 grams protein; 6.1 grams fat; (3.8 grams
  saturated fat); 17 grams carbohydrates; 90 milligrams sodium; 26 milligrams
  cholesterol.