Nothing says summer like a popsicle, but the problem is that many store-bought frozen treats are high in refined sugar, artificial flavors, and food dye. When shopping for popsicles that are made with natural ingredients, they tend to be very costly and still might have additives that you don’t want. The simple solution is to make them yourself at home!
The only kitchen tool you need is a popsicle mold which you can pick up at most stores or from an online seller. The best mold to get is silicone, because they don’t crack like their plastic counterparts, and you can choose from a variety of fun shapes.
Making popsicles at home is easy and an excellent activity for both kids and adults. The ingredients are simple, and you can make up your own recipes based on what you have available.
You can use either fresh or frozen fruit if you decide on a whole fruit puree. The best popsicles are made with fresh ingredients that are bursting with flavor, like orange or another citrus, because then you don’t need to add refined sugar to make them satisfying. Pair the fresh fruit with fruit juice, coconut milk, or yogurt, and you can add in flavors like vanilla extract, almond extract, or fresh mint.
This recipe for an Orange Creamsicle uses only a couple of ingredients and is a very low-calorie option for a cold, sweet treat that’s ready for a hot summer day. Make sure to use full-fat coconut milk as stated in the recipe because that’s what gives the creamsicle its silky mouthfeel.
Orange Creamsicle Popsicle
Equipment
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1 popsicle mold silicone is recommended
Ingredients
- 4 naval oranges
- 14 ounces full fat coconut milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
Instructions
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Zest and juice the oranges. The zest should come out to about 1/4 cup and approximately 1 cup juice.
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Add all ingredients to a blender, or use an immersion blender, and process until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
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Carefully pour into your popsicle molds and freeze overnight.
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You can remove the popsicles from the molds and store them in a freezer bag that’s had the air removed, or you can use a vacuum sealer to avoid freezer burn.
Notes
Ingredients:
- 4 navel oranges
- 14 ounces full fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Instructions:
- Zest and juice the oranges. The zest should come out to about 1/4 cup and approximately 1 cup juice.
- Add all ingredients to a blender, or use an immersion blender, and process until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Carefully pour into your popsicle molds and freeze overnight.
- You can remove the popsicles from the molds and store them in a freezer bag that’s had the air removed, or you can use a vacuum sealer to avoid freezer burn.
Tip: You can add 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to the recipe to avoid any separation of solids and liquids.
Nutrition
Servings 12 | 74 Calories per Serving
0.3 g protein; 0 mg cholesterol; 11 mg sodium; 5.3 g fat; 4.4 g saturated fat; 5 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 4.3 g sugar