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When you need the perfect snack or dessert on a hot summer day, there’s nothing better than Homemade Popsicle Recipes! Go back to your childhood and enjoy something frozen on a stick. These kid-friendly popsicles are easy to make and fun to eat!
Homemade Popsicles to Beat the Summer Heat
Ice pops have been around for ages. Some sort of liquid is poured into a mold then popped into the freezer until they are solid. That liquid can be a fruit puree, juice, or a blend made with yogurt, cream, or even pudding. So you can enjoy a treat that is refreshing and icy, or creamy and rich. But don’t forget the popsicle sticks. These frozen treats are hard to hold and eat without them.
We all may use the term ice pop and popsicle interchangeably, but Popsicle is actually a brand name. Popularized by Francis William “Frank” Epperson in 1923 when he filed the patent for his frozen treat on a stick, they were originally called “Eppsicles”. But his kids called them “Pop’s Sicles,” hence the term Popsicle was born and we’ve been enjoying them ever since.
Why Make Your Own Popsicles?
Sure, you can find an assortment of frozen ice pops in the grocery store. So you may wonder why you should go through the effort of making your own. While there are many varieties available, the possible flavor combinations are endless. So you can get creative and come up with your own combinations. Plus, you have control over the ingredients and can avoid preservatives, possible allergens, and even extra sugar, if you prefer.
Are Popsicles Good For You?
That all depends. Many storebought ones have lots of artificial colors and flavors, preservatives and chemicals, and lots of extra sugar. Sure, you can make your own indulgent ones if you like. But if you want to make better popsicles, you can use ingredients like fresh fruit, a bit of honey for sweetness, and even Greek yogurt if you want something creamy but wholesome too.
You can also ensure that your ice pops are gluten free! Yes, all of the popsicle recipes in this collection can easily be made without gluten.
What Do You Need to Make Popsicles?
Each popsicle recipe has its own required ingredients, but luckily that list is usually pretty short. Besides that, there are a few kitchen essentials that will come in handy”
- Blender. Many recipes start with some sort of puree, usually with fruit. So you’ll likely need a blender. While I love using my Blendtec, any basic blender is sufficient.
- Popsicle molds. You need something to freeze the popsicles in. While I like using these popsicle molds, you can use plastic cups in a pinch.
- Popsicle sticks. Either way, if your mold doesn’t have handles, make sure you have sturdy popsicle sticks that are food-safe.
Tips for Unmolding Popsicles
While I like to say that the hardest part of making your own popsicle recipes is waiting for the ice pops themselves to freeze, sometimes unmolding them might actually be the biggest challenge. What you’ll want to do is run cool water over the outside of the molds. You don’t want to use hot water or the popsicles will melt. You just want to warm up the mold enough for the popsicle to release. As the water runs over the outside, periodically give the stick a firm but gentle pull. You’ll start to feel it loosen up and then release.
Now that you have your supplies and tips, read on for some amazing popsicle recipes to try so you can cool off on a hot summer day. And don’t forget to get the kids in the kitchen. They’ll love making them as much as they love eating them.
30+ Easy Popsicle Recipes
You are going to love these homemade popsicles. They are so quick and easy to prepare that the hardest part will be waiting for them to freeze.
I love popsicle season!! Thanks for including my popsicles in your round-up! Pinning this for later.
I love this round-up because I am always craving popsicles during our hot Florida summers. Thank you so much for including my recipe!
I can imagine popsicles are always a hit down there!
Thanks for including my popsicles. My daughter and I always make different popsicles in the summer. She will love to see all of these recipes.
Can’t wait to see what new ideas you come up with!