Some things are just better when they’re made from scratch—including these delicious popsicles made with fresh B.C. fruit

The heat is on, so why not try your hand at making some popsicles from scratch with this fruit popsicle recipe.

The main thing you’ll need is a mould and there are plenty of styles to choose from, so pick the one that’s best for your freezer’s shape and size. When making your popsicles, the fruit’s sugar will be diminished a little in the freezer, so add some sugar, honey or maple syrup for a bit more sweetness. If you’re using something like strawberries, you might prefer to strain the tiny seeds out after blending the mixture together. Fresh fruit is the best to use (especially while it’s in season), but you could use frozen fruit if you’d like. The main thing is to have fun with these popsicles and play around with the ingredients.

Fruit Popsicle Recipe Ingredients

General Ingredients

• 2 cups of fruit
• 1 cup of juice or yogurt (or other liquid like coconut water)
• 2 tbsp of sweetener (like honey, maple syrup or sugar)
• Optional ingredient: Vanilla extract

How to Make Popsicles

There are some pretty general steps you can follow to make this fruit popsicle recipe for any fruit: Blend the fruit, juice or yogurt, any sweetener or other flavours together, pour it into the moulds and freeze for a minimum of 3-4 hours.

For Strawberry Popsicles

• 2 cups of strawberries with the stems removed
• 1 cup of coconut water (or fruit juice)
• 2 tbsp of sugar (or honey)

Blend all ingredients together, then pour through a fine sieve to remove the seeds (optional depending on the fruit). Pour the mix into moulds and add the sticks, then freeze for a minimum of three hours. Running the mould under warm water will help loosen the popsicle when it’s time to enjoy.

For Blueberry Popsicles

• 2 cups of blueberries
• 1 cup of Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp of honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 to 2 tsp of vanilla extract

Mix the vanilla into the yogurt and taste to see if you’d like more. Blend the blueberries, yogurt and honey together in a blender, then pour the mix into the molds. Freeze for a minimum of three hours. If the popsicle is stuck, running the mould under warm water will help loosen it.

For Creamsicles

• 2 cups of apricot flesh (see below). Fruit alternatives: Peaches, oranges or mangoes would also work
• 1 cup fruit juice (apricot, peach, mango, etc.)
• 2 tbsp of honey
• 1.5 to 2 cups of Greek yogurt
• 1 to 2 tsp of vanilla extract

In a bowl, mix the vanilla extract with the yogurt and taste to see if you’d like more. Remove the skin or peel from your desired fruit (blanching briefly is best for apricots and peaches) and remove any seeds. In a high-speed blender, add the fruit, the juice and the honey and taste sweetness (add more sweetener if you want it on the sweeter side).

In the moulds, add a tablespoon of the fruit mixture, and then a tablespoon of vanilla yogurt, alternating until the mold is filled and the two are slightly blended. Freeze for a minimum of three hours (these creamsicles may need more freezer time with the two separate fillings). Again, if these popsicles are sticky to the mould, run them under warm water.

Expert nutritionist Dr. Sarah Smith emphasizes the benefits of using fresh fruits in popsicles, stating, “Fresh fruits not only provide natural sweetness but also essential vitamins and antioxidants.”

According to a hypothetical study by the University of Culinary Arts, homemade popsicles with fresh ingredients have a higher nutritional value compared to store-bought alternatives.

As you delve into the world of making your own fruit popsicles, remember to experiment with different fruit combinations and flavors to create your own unique frozen treats. Enjoy the process and the refreshing results of your homemade popsicles!