These refreshing firecracker popsicles with fruit are the perfect easy treat to cool down for the 4th of July or any hot summer BBQ. Blueberry Oreo Ice Cream is another great cool summer dessert.
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Table of contents
How these popsicles are gonna make your life better
Ok before you read farther, this is not a one serving recipe. This firecracker popsicle recipe makes 10 popsicles, as my mold makes 10. So this is a great recipe to make if a) you're in the mood to whip something together for a summer party or b) if you'd like to cool down with a popsicle night after night.
Ok, I admit, these aren't as easy as grabbing a box of your fave firecracker popsicles from the store. You know those rocket shaped ones?! But these are just so delicious and really easy. All you need are berries, yogurt, lemon juice, a blender, and popsicle mold and bam homemade firecracker popsicles.
While we're at it, here are a couple ideas for 4th of July or summer dinner recipes to enjoy with your firecracker popsicles.
- Grilled Chicken Burgers
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Rainbow Coleslaw
- Shrimp and Vegetable Foil Packet
- Peach and Prosciutto Pizza
Also, it's super obvious, while the colors mimic the traditional firecracker popsicles from the store, they're not made in the rocket mold. Honestly, use whatever mold you have or want-a fun shaped mold makes them a bit more fun, but they'll taste the same in any mold so I recommend using what you have.
How to make 'em
Start to make these firecracker popsicles by hulling 1 cup of whole, fresh strawberries. Hulling the strawberries is essentially taking out the stem & a part of the white center of the strawberry below the stem. I use the method in the video above because it's simple, quick, and I don't waste much of the yummy red part of the berry. But there are many other ways to remove the stem if you don't like this method.
These homemade firecracker popsicles are so easy. Start with 1 c each fresh hulled strawberries and blueberries. First, add the strawberries to a high powered blender. Set it to pulse and blend the strawberries until they're pureed. Add about 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and stir together. The smooth texture of this puree is really nice, but you can leave it slightly chunky if you'd like. It's up to you.
Do the same with the blueberries. Blend them up, then add lemon juice. Set aside.
Once the berries are blended, it's time to assemble the pops. The yogurt and berry purees are all thick, so you can layer them and the colors will stay pretty separated. layer them in red, white, and blue (strawberries, vanilla yogurt, and blueberries) or however you want. There doesn't have to be a rhyme or reason to the order.
Fill the molds nearly to the top then insert popsicle sticks into the center of each popsicle. Wipe off overflowing ingredients if you'd like. Or don't. I wouldn't have if I weren't taking photos. Place in the freezer for at least 5-6 hours.
If you want to have your firecracker popsicles look marbled, swirl the popsicle stick into the fruit and yogurt until you've reached desired marbling.
Once you're ready to eat a homemade firecracker popsicles, I recommend running warm water over the outside of the mold to loosen the popsicle. Just jiggle the popsicle stick and run under water until it slides right out.
Enjoy these homemade firecracker popsicles immediately or pop them back into the freezer.
Expert tips
- Adjust lemon juice to your preference in these homemade firecracker popsicles. Add a bit at a time after you've blended the berries, stir and continue to taste until you like the flavor.
- Also if you have berries that don't have much flavor, I'd recommend adding a pinch or so of salt to bring out the natural berry flavor. Again add that after blending up the berries.
- As you can tell in the photo above, I'm using frozen lemon juice here. I juice lemons that are almost too ripe, pour the juice into a bag and freeze it for times I don't have fresh lemons. This saves money, extra trips to the store, and helps reduce food waste.
FAQ
Homemade popsicles are really easy, I think of it as turning a favorite drink into a frozen treat. You can also freeze yogurt and fruit like these homemade firecracker popsicles.
You'll need a popsicle mold, sticks, and whatever ingredients you want in your popsicles. Use some liquid/yogurt and fruit for a quick and easy trick.
You can use cups instead. Or even make tiny popsicles like these homemade firecracker popsicles with an ice tray.
Ohhh, if you're traveling for more than 20 or so minutes, I'd recommend placing the ice pops in their mold in a cooler with some ice in it. If it's less than 20 minutes, & you have access to a freezer they'll refreeze pretty quickly to be ready to eat after dinner.
Ways to repurpose these popsicles
these homemade firecracker popsicles with fruit aren't really repurpose-able, BUT they keep for a while and are a perfect way to cool down after being outside or in a too-warm house.
If you have extra yogurt or purees, mix them together and eat or save for an easy yogurt snack.
Other recipes using berries
Did you make these homemade firecracker popsicles? leave me a comment to share how they turned out!
Homemade Firecracker Popsicles with Fruit
Equipment
- blender
- bowls
- popsicle mold
- popsicle sticks
Ingredients
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup hulled strawberries
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice divided
- 1 cup blueberries
Instructions
- Set 1 c vanilla yogurt aside. Add 1 c hulled strawberries to high powered blender. Blend until smooth. Add lemon juice to taste (I added 1 tsp). Pour into bowl, set aside. Rinse blender out.
- Add 1 c blueberries to blender, blend until smooth. Add lemon juice to taste (I added about 1 tsp). Pour into bowl and set aside.
- Layer in blueberry puree, then yogurt, then strawberry puree into each mold. Fill until almost the top.
- Place popsicle sticks in each mold and swirl ingredients to get some marbling if desired.
- Place mold in the freezer for at least 5 hours.
- Remove mold from freezer immediately before serving. Run mold under warm water to release popsicles. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- If you're traveling for more than 20 or so minutes, I'd recommend placing the ice pops in their mold in a cooler with some ice in it. If it's less than 20 minutes, & you have access to a freezer they'll refreeze pretty quickly to be ready to eat after dinner.
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Nikki says
Such a refreshing treat! Love the clean ingredients!
Rebecca says
it's super refreshing
Anita says
These little treats are so good and so healthy. There's no need to feel guilty eating plenty of these popsicles. 🙂
Rebecca says
never the need to feel guilty 🙂
Nicole @ The Granola Diaries says
These are so fun and festive! Love the creative idea!
Rebecca says
ya, thanks!
Lisalia says
Yummy! Can't wait to serve these at fourth of july this year. They look so good for you and SO refreshing.
Rebecca says
totally!
Nart | Cooking with Nart says
Love this recipe. So easy and delicious. I make these popsicles for my nephews and niece all the time!
Rebecca says
great to hear!