A couple months ago, the kids and I stumbled across a popsicle mold at the dollar store and I quickly snatched it up, promising homemade popsicles for a snack later that day.
The kids were thrilled… but I think Dave was even more excited when he walked in the door after a hot day at school to have homemade juice popsicles waiting for him in the kitchen.
Apparently he has VERY fond memories of making and eating “juice pops” as a kid and we heard all about them. 🙂
Based on Dave’s reaction when he came home from school and the kids reactions to trying these juice pops for the first time, I think my $1 popsicle mold was a good investment!
Of course, the fact that they are ridiculously simple to make is another plus in my book… they might just be our go-to simple summer snack this year!
If you’re feeling adventurous, you COULD get really fancy by adding fruit, using a complex recipe, or freezing individual layers of juice for a rainbow effect (search Pinterest for “homemade popsicles” and see what you find!)… or you could just dump in whatever juice or lemonade you have in your fridge and call it good.
You could even make your own juice with a juicer and then freeze it as a juice pop for a super nutritious afternoon snack.
Whatever you do, I’m pretty sure your kids (and maybe your husband) will enjoy this special frozen treat!
“Recipe” For Homemade Juice Popsicles
INGREDIENTS:
- Some kind of popsicle mold and stick (even a small food storage container with a spoon stuck in could work)
- Juice, smoothie mix, lemonade, Kool Aid, chocolate milk, baby food, yogurt, or any other liquid you think might taste good frozen
DIRECTIONS:
Pour liquid into molds almost to the top
Place stick into molds
Freeze for several hours
Let sit at room temperature for a minute (or run under hot water) and remove stick from mold
It takes roughly 10 seconds to fill the popsicle mold and a couple hours to freeze. I’ve already tried several different liquids, but so far the kids’ 2 favorites have been strawberry lemonade (Country Time) and Apple Juice (store bought).
My favorite is mixing up an apple, banana, berry smoothie (or even just using regular yogurt) and freezing that as a “juice pop” — however, friends of ours said we need to try making “grown up juice pops” with alcohol. Sounds like a fun idea for an adults-only summer party!
I’m certain we will continue to make a variety of juice pops all summer long — and maybe in 30 years, our kids will tell their children about making and eating yummy juice pops with their mom and dad on hot summer days.
Simple pleasures, my friends!
Do you have a favorite juice pop recipe?
Visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family friendly recipes!
Mary in Maryland says
We’ve been making Margarita popsicles, actually more like granita. Two tablespoons of tequila and a half cup of margarita mix in a six ounce jelly jar. In the freezer for about four hours.
Andrea says
yum!!
Christie says
This is great!
Unrelated, but I was wondering: Do you have a PO Box or other address you use for business-related mail?
Andrea says
No we don’t 🙂
Chris says
I’m so old- we made ours with dixie cups and popsicle sticks!
Andrea says
you don’t have to be old to make them in dixie cups — we’ve already done that too!
Sarah says
I bought some ice lolly moulds last summer & my kids were so excited. I filled the moulds with orange juice, made space in our freezer & eased the drawer shut. Whereupon they were too tall for our freezer, fell over & I had to spend ages unstickying the rest of the frozen food in there. Why didn’t I check first?! Sooo annoying but my kids thought it was hilarious. I do try…
Leigh says
I grew up with these too and loved them, as do my kids now. My mum would always add a little jello to the mix to help them stick together as they melted. It really helps the little ones eat rather than wear or spill the Popsicle.
Sheri D says
Here’s another idea to try. We love this one!
Fruit Cups
6 oz frozen lemonade
6 oz. frozen orange juice
1 can crushed pinepple with juice
3 or more diced bananas
1 cup sugar
8 oz. frozen or fresh strawberries
4 oz jar of Maraschino cherries
2 1/2 cups water
Partially thaw juices and fruit. Combine all and freeze in individual cups. Remove from freezer about 30 – 45 minutes before serving so that it is still ice cold and slushy. You can substitute any other fruit you wish.
Jamie says
The only popsicles I have made for my kids were strawberry watermelon. I had berries and melon that needed to be used quickly so I blended them together and froze in a mold. The kids loved them.
Rachel says
My mom made homemade popsicles for us ALL THE TIME when I was growing up. They are SOOOO much better than the ones from the store!! She used the molds from Tupperware … and through the years … I have found some at garage sales & thrift stores. I have kept the tradition & make these every summer for my kids now!!
Here is the recipe:
1 package jello
1 package koolaid
1 cup sugar
2 cups hot water
Mix. Add 2 cups cold water. Pour into molds & freeze. Makes 18.
(I like to mix & match flavors … for ex: orange koolaid & peach jello … or tropical punch koolaid & raspberry jello … whatever you like! I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad combination!)
These aren’t as healthy as using yogurt or orange juice … but they are DELICIOUS!
Give them a try & let me know how you like them!
Rachel
Christine @ The (mostly) Simple Life says
We had these all the time growing up! They were special because we would dig out the mold and make them ourselves. Such fun little things 🙂
Brenda says
Make pudding pops! Make pudding (I used instant, mix according to box directions), mix in whipped cream (i have used cool whip and real whipped whipping cream). Freeze in molds. Tastes just like the Jell-o pudding pops we used to eat when I was little. I think I ate more of them than my kids did!
Andrea says
yea, we did this growing up too. My kids LOVE pudding, so they prefer to just eat it as pudding, but I might have to try it in the molds too!
Stel says
My kids also love these!
Our favourite smoothie recipe = banana + 1 other fruit + small container matching joghurt + juice. We drink half and freeze the rest. They also clever and make their own lollies just by scooping joghurt in.
(Try to add peanut butter! Or Nutella. Ok…naughty, I know.)
Andrea says
YUM!!! And I think Dave would really like a mix of chocolate pudding and peanut butter!
Ann says
I skip the juice and just use fruit. Every time I have some fruit that is getting a little too ripe, I pull out the molds and fill them up. I’ve used kiwi, banana, strawberry, raspberry, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapes, oranges, apples, anything (and often in the same one!) They are beautiful and yummy. It is an excellent use for leftover fruit salad!