Creamsicle Popsicles (3 Ways)
Showing you how to make not one, not two, but THREE creamsicle popsicles today, from lemon and lime to classic orange creamsicles.
You know what, guys? We’re doing it. Popsicles. In February. Because when summer is taking forever to arrive, sometimes you just have to meet it in the middle, right?
These creamsicles were born last summer out of necessity. Living in northern Europe, where air conditioning is a rare commodity, I had to create practical ways of staying cool for the few weeks of heat we get each year. A fan is enough on most days, but others (like the 100 degree heat wave we had last summer) require more ingenuity.
So I sat and worked, one ice pack in my shirt, another on my chair, and with a popsicle in hand at all times. It wasn’t pretty folks, but it worked.
But chomping down on the sugar and fat filled store bought popsicles all day wasn’t an option (given my tendency to power through 3 or 4 in an effort to stay cool), so I worked out some recipes that make for ultra-delicious ice pops that are healthy too. (In fact, I worked out 75 recipes and wrote the book on popsicles!)
Ingredients for Creamsicle Popsicles
Plain Greek yogurt creates the base of these creamsicles. Greek yogurt is different from regular yogurt in that a lot of the extra water has been drawn out, making for a thicker, creamier kind of yogurt. This is perfect in popsicles, where more water leads to more crystallization (i.e. inedible ice blocks).
The banana adds natural sweetness and also contributes to the perfect texture. If you’re not a fan of bananas, feel free to substitute 1/4 cup of full-fat coconut milk per banana.
Finally, the fresh citrus juice give these pops their classic lemon, lime, and orange creamsicles flavor. And don’t forget the citrus zest! Flavors tend to become less intense when you freeze them, and the zest is going to pack a punch of flavor to give these pops there addictive taste.
Lemon Creamsicles
Lemons and cream is one of my favorite flavor combos! Something about the creamy acidity just works. To make the lemon creamsicles, you’ll just need:
- 1 banana
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Lime Creamsicles
These little flavor bombs taste like key lime pie (and for a more decadent pop, you could substitute some of the yogurt for cream cheese)!
- 1 banana
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Orange Creamsicles
And finally, the classic orange creamsicle. Is there any popsicle flavor more nostalgic?
- 1 banana
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
More healthy homemade popsicles
- Loaf Pan Popsicles
- The Ultimate Guide to Homemade Popsicles
- Buttermilk Lemon Thyme Popsicles
- Mint Chocolate Popsicles
- Check out our cookbook, For the Love of Popsicles!
Healthy Creamsicle Popsicles
INGREDIENTS
Orange Creamsicles
- ½ cup orange juice 120 mL
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1 medium banana
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt 120 g
- 2 Tbsp honey 30 g
- ½ tsp vanilla extract 2 mL
Limesicles
- ¼ cup lime juice 60 mL
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1 medium banana
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt 240 g
- 2 Tbsp honey 30 g
- ½ tsp vanilla extract 2 mL
Lemonsicles
- ¼ cup lemon juice 60 mL
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 medium banana
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt 240 g
- 2 Tbsp honey 30 g
- ½ tsp vanilla extract 2 mL
INSTRUCTIONS
- Blend: Choose the creamsicle recipe you want to make. Combine all ingredients for that popsicle in a blender until smooth.
- Freeze: Pour into molds, leaving a little space at the top for them to expand. Insert sticks and freeze until hard (at least 4 hours).
- Eat: Run the mold under warm water for a few seconds to loosen them up, then remove from the mold.
NOTES
NUTRITION
This recipe first appeared on Amanda’s Cookin, where I’m a contributor.
We made these today and they were a big hit! So great to find a treat kids and the adults at our brunch could really get excited about. Thanks for sharing!
So happy to hear, Joy! 😀