A cool summer treat, popsicles have been especially hot the past few seasons—and with good reason! Homemade pops are fast, easy, and fun to make. With countless flavor combinations, you can create a new refreshing treat with just about anything in the fridge and it’s a great opportunity to sneak a serving of fruit into a tasty, low-calorie dessert. Here are a few tips for making your own. Plus, 5 fun ideas that put a twist on the frozen treats.
First, pick up a few essentials.
- Popsicle MoldsIf you plan on making popsicles all summer long, spending a few dollars ona moldis an investment that will pay for itself in no time. Drinking cups, empty yogurt containers and ice cube trays will also work in a pinch. If using a mold without a lid, insert sticks when pops are partially frozen, about 1 hour after they go into the freezer, and then freeze until solid.
- Wooden SticksIf your mold doesn’t have built-in sticks, definitely purchase some up. It wouldn’t be a popsicle without a stick, right?
- Blender:If you want to make popsicles with fruit purees, make sure you have either a standard or animmersionblender on hand.
Then, get creative!
- Blueberries + Fresh Lemon Juice + Vanilla Yogurt (picture above)
- Banana + Mango + Coconut Water
- Strawberry + Blood Orange Juice
- Avocado + Lime + Banana + Water
- Pineapple + Mint + Water
Need a little more pop-spiration? Search Pinterest for popsicle recipes, or pick up one of these lick-worthy cookbooks:People’s Pops:55 Recipes for Ice Pops, Shave Ice, and Boozy Pops from Brooklyn’s Coolest Pop ShopbyPerfect Pops: Perfect Pops: The 50 Best Classic & Cool TreatsbyPaletas:Authentic Recipes for Mexican Ice Pops, Shaved Ice & Aguas Frescasby
2. Take a biteFor a pop with a bit more bite, slice up fresh fruit and top with a refreshing liquid, like white grape juice, lemonade, or coconut water. (Dilute fruit juice with water for a lower calorie pop.) Pretty much any fruit will do: grapes, kiwi, strawberries, pineapple, peaches, or simply toss in a 5 to 6 whole berries—blackberries, blueberries and strawberries all taste great with lightened up lemonade.
3. Play with layersNot only are they beautiful,layered popsiclesbring out the best of every flavor when you’re combining more than one. To layer, simply freeze in stages!
4. Let the cookie crumbleSometimes cookies just make things better. I’ve found this to be especially true with popsicles, not only because they add texture and sweetness, but for the built-in portion control. For a true dessert pop, crumble one cookie directly into the mold, then add yogurt and fruit. Or roll an ever-so-slightly melted pop onto a plate of cookie crumbs for a delicious, crunch coating.
5. No mold? No problem!Try frozen fruit pops instead.Put half of a banana on a stick, or create a fruit “shish kabob” with slices of a few different fruits (think: kiwi, strawberries, banana), dip in chocolate and chopped nuts, freeze, and enjoy!
What are your favorite homemade popsicle combos? Share them in the comments!
Photo: Elle Penner
