Popsicles are a wonderful way to enjoy a hot, summer afternoon. But when I look at the store for a cooling treat, they are so full of junk! Or they are so expensive I wouldn’t want to buy them regularly. So I decided to make my own. Try my easy healthy homemade popsicles recipe for yourself!
Just because summer is here doesn’t mean you have to load your kids up with sugar. Many fun foods and treats are full of extra sugar, artificial colorings and artificial flavors.
This easy homemade healthy popsicles recipe is one treat you can always feel good about giving your kids, grandkids and your neighbor kids.
Bonus: They don’t drip!
Back when I was little, we would make our popsicles out of Kool Aid. Not cool, I know. But that was what we knew, so that is what we did. No shame.
Because this recipe is made from only real, natural ingredients, it will actually help boost your children’s immune systems instead of crashing them.
But here’s the catch:
You have to plan ahead for this treat. Because real food takes time.
By planning ahead you can resist the temptation to grab that quick box of junk popsicles at the store.
The first time you make them you will have to build your supply of ingredients and supplies. But after that, it will be a breeze. The next thing you know you will have the recipe and process memorized and you can whip up a batch before you go to bed each night.
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What You Need for Easy Healthy Homemade Popsicles Recipe
Popsicle Molds – I keep my eye out for molds at garage sales and thrift stores. Otherwise ice cube trays work well with toothpicks.
One advantage of buying molds that take wooden popsicle sticks
Another easy solution is bathroom size Dixie cups
Juice – Next, you will need your favorite fruit juice
Because it is difficult to find strawberry juice (often a popular popsicle flavor) I use strawberry daiquiri concentrate from the freezer section at the store. Just know that it has added sugar! I save strawberry flavor for special occasions.
Gelatin – Most store shelve should have Knox plain gelatin
This is the ingredient that makes these popsicles no drip!
Yogurt or Cream (optional) – Grab some plain yogurt or heavy whipping cream to add to your popsicles. This just adds a bit of creaminess to them.
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Easy Healthy Homemade Popsicles Recipe Instructions
Step 1: Sprinkle plain gelatin over the cool water. Depending on the brand of your gelatin, you may be able to let it sit there and it will soak up on its own. Otherwise, give it a little whisk to incorporate it.
When the gelatin is soaked enough, there won’t be any dry powder left and it will all look like the inside stuffing of a saturated diaper. Blech! I know, but it’s the best description I can come up with!
Step 2: Pour in the almost boiling water and whisk. You don’t have to go crazy whisking as this will create lots of extra foaming. Just whisk gently until you don’t see the little gelatin fish eggs floating around anymore.
Step 3: Add the juice of your choice. When you are using real juices, though, you have to be careful of certain enzymes that will prevent the gelatin from firming up.
Don’t use:
- Pineapple
- Kiwi
- Fig
- Papaya
- Pawpaw
- Mango
- Guava
- Ginger Root
Step 4: If you want to add a little creaminess to the popsicles, simply stir in some plain yogurt or heavy whipping cream. Use flavored yogurt, too, but be aware that there is usually added sugar in flavored yogurts. Pour the mixture into the molds.
Step 5: If using ice cube trays for molds, cover the tray tightly with plastic wrap. Poke a toothpick through it into each cube. Let it freeze this way.
For larger popsicles, use Dixie paper bathroom cups. Fill each cup and stick a plastic spoon or popsicle stick in it. Take a piece of plastic wrap, wax paper or foil and poke it over the end of the spoon handle. Slide it down to the cup and wrap it tightly. This will hold the spoon upright. Line up the filled cups in a cake pan and place level in the freezer.
After a few runs, your kids will be making this easy healthy homemade popsicles recipe for you!
Easy Healthy Homemade Popsicles
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cool water
- 1 tbsp plain gelatin (You can use Knox packets. I just buy it in bulk because we use so much gelatin.)
- 1/4 cup almost boiling water
- 1 1/2 cup juice of choice
- 1/4 cup yogurt flavor of choice or whipping cream (optional)
Instructions
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Pour cool water in a bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over top. Whisk gently and let it sit for 10 minutes or until the gelatin has absorbed the water and thickened.
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Add the hot water and whisk until the gelatin is dissolved.
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Add the juice and whisk.
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If you are adding yogurt or cream, whisk it in.
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Pour into popsicle molds, paper cups or ice cube trays. Place in the freezer for 4 hours or until frozen solid.
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Run mold under hot water for a few seconds to loosen frozen popsicels before removing them. If frozen in a paper cup, simply rip the paper from the popsicle.
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