9 Popsicle Recipes to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again (2024)

Is it possible to think about popsicles without immediately being transported to the summers of your childhood? Whether it was the syrupy freeze-pops you managed to suck all the juice out of or the rocket-shaped red, white, and blue ice pops you grabbed from the neighborhood ice cream truck, you probably had your fair share of popsicles back in the day. And while there’s no shame in indulging in these treats as an adult, there’s plenty of fun involved in making your own at home. It’s easy to conjure up whatever flavor your heart desires (especially the yogurt variety, thanks to our handy guide), but this list is a great place to start. We’ve put together an array of fruity popsicles, along with DIY Fudgsicles, pudding pops, and a special boozy treat. So grab your popsicle molds (our review of the best molds is right here) and get ready to rejoice in the flavors of your childhood.

  • Ultimate Strawberry Popsicles

    9 Popsicle Recipes to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again (1)

    A trio of fresh strawberries, strawberry jam, and freeze-dried strawberries join forces in this flavor-packed popsicle. The addition of the jam leads to a soft, lush texture that balances the brightness of the fresh strawberries while offering a sweeter fruit flavor. Though the freeze-dried powder is optional, it really works to intensify the strawberry taste.

    Get the recipe for Ultimate Strawberry Popsicles

  • Boozy Piña Colada Popsicles

    9 Popsicle Recipes to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again (2)

    These boozy popsicles bring with it the feeling of a tropical vacation that no other popsicle on this list can match. Rather than offering a buzz, the rum adds a spiciness that helps balance the sweetness of the pineapple while cutting through the fattiness of the coconut cream. You can double the amount of booze, but don’t go too crazy, as too much rum can lead to a slushy mixture with an unpleasantly overpowering flavor.

    Get the recipe for Boozy Piña Colada Popsicles

  • Virgin Piña Colada Popsicles

    9 Popsicle Recipes to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again (3)

    If you want a tropical popsicle that’s more kid-friendly, virgin piña colada popsicles are the way to go. Using fresh pineapple is the best way to get that perfect sweet-tart flavor, but both frozen and canned pineapple can be used as a substitute. For an ideal balance between sweet and bright flavors, we mix the pineapple with equal amounts of unsweetened coconut cream, plus a bit of lime juice. This ratio yields a popsicle that’s sweet, rich, and loaded with tropical tang.

    Get the recipe for Virgin Piña Colada Popsicles

  • Blueberry Yogurt Popsicles

    9 Popsicle Recipes to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again (4)

    Blueberries are rightfully incorporated into many baked goods, but they’re just as good, if not better, in frozen treats. Here we blend them with Greek yogurt, sugar, and heavy cream for a rich, refreshing, and flavor-packed popsicle. The key to extracting the most flavor from the blueberries is to cook them first, bringing out their sweet, tart, and floral notes. Meanwhile, lemon juice works to brighten the pop up. The blended and frozen mixture yields a luscious, creamy popsicle with an irresistibly fruity taste.

    Get the recipe for Blueberry Yogurt Popsicles

    Continue to 5 of 9 below.

  • Raspberry Yogurt Popsicles

    9 Popsicle Recipes to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again (5)

    Not only do these popsicles let raspberries shine all on their own, but they also make one seriously eye-catching treat. We start by simmering the berries to tame their tartness and draw out their natural sweetness. The subtle citrus notes of raspberries are further enhanced with the addition of orange juice. Though we opted for blending the raspberry purée with the yogurt for a more balanced flavor, you can also swirl the two bases together for a different look and more distinct taste.

    Get the recipe for Raspberry Yogurt Popsicles

  • Mango Yogurt Popsicles

    9 Popsicle Recipes to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again (6)

    If you prefer a tangier popsicle, try this mango version. Though Tommy Atkins mangoes are the most popular in the US, they don’t offer the intense flavor that’s needed to make these treats shine. Instead, we reach for the Ataulfo variety, which brings with it creamy sweetness and a bold tropical flavor that’s complemented by the addition of lime juice. The fruity pop is reminiscent of mango lassi, but in frozen form.

    Get the recipe for Mango Yogurt Popsicles

  • Tamarind and Palm Sugar Popsicles With Chili Salt

    9 Popsicle Recipes to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again (7)

    Inspired by the sticky, sweet taste of Pelon Pelo Rico, a tamarind-flavored candy, these popsicles turn the confection into a grown-up treat. The mixture is made up of nutty, caramelized palm sugar, tart tamarind paste, and tangy malic acid—a list of ingredients that may be difficult to source, but can mostly be found online. We also add a bit of gelatin to keep the ice crystals smaller, for a softer bite. Once frozen, the popsicles are dipped in chili salt spiked with more malic acid for a sour, mouthwatering flavor.

    Get the recipe for Tamarind and Palm Sugar Popsicles With Chili Salt

  • DIY Fudgsicles

    9 Popsicle Recipes to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again (8)

    Our recipe for homemade Fudgsicles offers a deeper chocolate flavor than the real deal, thanks to Dutch cocoa powder. Skim milk enhances the chocolatiness of the pops, while brown sugar works to get just the right flavor, and by adding gelatin to the mix, we’re able to mimic the unique texture of a Fudgsicle. For a clean release from the popsicle molds, we recommend lightly greasing them first.

    Get the recipe for DIY Fudgsicles

    Continue to 9 of 9 below.

  • DIY Pudding Pops

    9 Popsicle Recipes to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again (9)

    We took pudding and made it into a dessert pop that’s as refreshing as it is rich. Using tapioca starch helps keep the frozen pudding smooth and thick, and skim milk offers a crisp, icy quality. While the base is vanilla, you can dip the frozen pops in chocolate and sprinkles for a little something extra. The result is a light, creamy, and chilly treat that’s perfectly satisfying on a hot summer’s day.

    Get the recipe for DIY Pudding Pops

9 Popsicle Recipes to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again (2024)

FAQs

What ingredient makes popsicles soft? ›

To get a slightly softer texture, add more sweetener or a fatty milk product like heavy cream. Both lower the freezing point of the puree and gives it a less icy final finish.

How to make popsicles that aren't icy? ›

The secret to making no “icy” popsicle is adding cornstarch to the recipe!

How to avoid ice crystals in popsicles? ›

Fortunately, there's an easy way to prevent this unwanted outcome by using an unexpected ingredient: cornstarch. When you're creating the mixture for your popsicles, you can add a few teaspoons of cornstarch. Blend it with the rest of your ingredients, then pour the liquid into the popsicle molds as usual.

Do popsicles melt faster than ice cream? ›

The ice cream melts faster. That is because there is milk in ice cream, while there is water in a popsicle. There is ice coating on the popsicle, while there is none on the ice cream, therefore making the ice cream melt faster than the popsible.

What makes popsicles softer than ice? ›

While fresh fruit popsicle recipes abound, this recipe has a uniquely pleasing texture that comes from a (not so) secret ingredient: pectin. The pectin makes the pops smoother, less icy, and softer to bite.

Does alcohol freeze in popsicles? ›

Alcohol has a lower freezing point than other liquids, meaning you can't just make pure boozy popsicles and assume they'll freeze.

Why do you put cornstarch in popsicles? ›

“If you're making a cream-based popsicle, add in a few teaspoons of cornstarch to keep the popsicle from becoming too icy and to give it a creamy texture,” Passante says. “It's our secret ingredient in popsicles.”

Are ice pops healthy? ›

Because these frozen treats are mostly liquid, they can help you meet your daily hydration goals. But commercially made ice pops often offer little more than water, the occasional artificial food dye, and a whole lot of sugar, which is usually the first or second ingredient listed.

How to make popsicles slushy? ›

Once they're frozen, pop them out and blend them in a blender with a bit of sugar (or other sweetener) to create a slush.

Are ice crystals in freezer bad? ›

It is normal to see some frost or ice crystals especially on frozen food. This is caused by moisture inside the food itself or inside the freezer.

How to make homemade ice cream? ›

How to Make Homemade Ice Cream
  1. Cook the milk, cream, and sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
  2. Transfer the mixture to a measuring cup, then add the vanilla extract. ...
  3. Pour the mix into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's directions.
  4. Serve immediately or ripen in the freezer before serving.
Jun 22, 2023

Does Dollar Tree have popsicle molds? ›

A favorite warm-weather snack is popsicles... and we have the perfect molds to help you create your own chilly treats.

Why are some popsicles soft? ›

The fast melting, “softer” qualities of commercial popsicles come mostly from a high sugar content.

How do popsicles stay soft? ›

“If you're making a cream-based popsicle, add in a few teaspoons of cornstarch to keep the popsicle from becoming too icy and to give it a creamy texture,” Passante says. “It's our secret ingredient in popsicles.” She also advises leaving about a quarter-inch space at the top of the mold before placing the stick in.

Does gelatin make popsicles softer? ›

Does gelatin make popsicles softer? Jello does make the popsicles a little less icy. The major factor is that they don't melt as much as they thaw and leave a mess. Instead, they are more jello texture.

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