Blog

Stick with it: Pretty popsicles for every occasion

From popsicles and paletas to icy poles and ice-creams, chill out with these milky treats and dairy-free delights.

Summer popsicles

Summer popsicles Source: Bondi Harvest


Let's kick off with a classic. These three-ingredient popsicles (just milk, cream and chocolate) can be made with white, dark or milk chocolate (and if they’re for adults, try adding a tablespoon of your favourite liqueur – coconut liqueur with white chocolate, Cointreau with dark chocolate to make a jaffa flavour, or a coffee liqueur with milk chocolate for mocha ice pops). You can also dip them in melted chocolate if you love that cold crunch.
Milky ice pops
Milky ice pops Source: Petrina Tinslay
"These are the popsicle equivalent of the quintessential cocktail and are a perfect summer treat for adults (or hold the rum to make them kid-friendly), and they couldn't be easier to whip up. I use freshly squeezed pineapple and lime juice, and I always squeeze a little extra as a special drink for myself. These pina colada popsicles are insanely delicious; I promise they will wow," says Sam Linsell of these indulgent popsicles.
ice blocks
Pinas colada popsicles Source: SBS
"Kulfi, a traditional Indian ice-cream, takes hours to make. This is my great shortcut, using condensed milk and cream to create sweet creamy ice-blocks with lovely flavour," says Parveen Ashraf. "Once you’ve mastered the technique of making the kulfi, you can diversify. Sometimes I make it with just plain rosewater. Other times I make a plain almond one. Whatever the flavour, I promise you it will taste good."
Kulfi lollies
Kulfi lollies Source: Parveen's Indian Kitchen
"You know Black Forest cake, right? That delicious German creation stuffed with chocolate, cream and cherries? Well, this recipe is the same, except there’s no dairy and I skipped the maraschino cherries, which taste like cough syrup. Instead, I used a sour cherry compote and topped it all with dark chocolate shavings. I’m telling ya, this is good," says Gabriel Cabrera of these coconut milk-based pops.
Dairy-free Black Forest popsicles
Dairy-free Black Forest popsicles Source: Gabriel Cabrera
Planning a picnic? "These icy poles freeze to be quite solid, and melt rather slowly, so they're surprisingly transportable (and picnic-friendly). You couldn't exactly cross the Nullarbor with them... but they’ll hold for a good hour when packed in an esky with frozen cooler pads in place," says Leanne Kitchen of these eye-catching icy poles.
Matcha-avocado popsicles
Matcha-avocado popsicles Source: Leanne Kitchen
When strawberries are at the end of their season, these popsicles are a good way to use those last, tired-looking ones. Make them with coconut milk and water for a dairy-free version, or exchange the water for milk, if dairy isn't an issue for you.
Coconut, lime and strawberry popsicles
Coconut, lime and strawberry popsicles Source: Cristina Sciarra
These popsicles embrace the characteristic sweetness of syrupy iced coffees served in Vietnam.
Coffee ice-cream (kem cà phê)
Coffee ice-creams with coffee syrup Source: SBS Food
Make this creamy dessert as popsicles or, if you have an ice-cream maker, churn and freeze to serve in mini cones. Roll in crushed sugar arlmonds to serve.
gelato with praline
Mango gelato with praline Source: SBS

No popsicle moulds? No problem. You don't need moulds for these pops: Freeze the creamy white choc, cream and peanut butter mixture in a slab, insert popsicles, dredge in praline and you've got a cool treat ready to go (or freeze for up to two months).
Praline peanut butter pops
Praline peanut butter pops Source: Benito Martin
And this one is even easier! One of the many delicious ideas Sarah Graham whips up in Sarah Graham's Food Safari, these watermelon ice-blocks pair chunks of frozen fruit with a chocolate sauce and a scattering of nuts.
Watermelon iceblocks with dark chocolate drizzle
Watermelon iceblocks with dark chocolate drizzle Source: Sarah Graham's Food Safari
And sticking with fabulous fruit, here's another idea, a quick and easy popsicle that you can make with whatever mix of tropical fruit you have on hand: try papaya, pineapple, mango, star fruit, lychee, kiwi or passionfruit.
Homemade lemonade and tropical fruit ice pops
Homemade lemonade and tropical fruit ice pops Source: Petrina Tinslay
Get creative with your shapes - try old jelly moulds or small glasses.
Yoghurt berry icy poles
Yoghurt berry icy poles Source: Petrina Tinslay
Looking for some zing? These ice blocks are a sweet, sour and spicy Mexican sweet made using just three ingredients: tamarind pulp, sugar and chilli flakes.
Tamarind and chilli icebox (paletas de tamarindo y chile)
Tamarind and chilli icebox (paletas de tamarindo y chile) Source: Chris Chen
Three options here from Guy Turland, all vegan: mango and raspberry lassi; berry kombucha and chia seed; or dark chocolate.
Summer popsicles
Summer popsicles Source: Bondi Harvest
Just three ingredients - pineapple, avocado and milk (or dairy-free milk) - come together in these easy popsicles.
Pine avo pops
Pine-avo pops Source: Damon Gameau
These are dairy-free and delicious!
Blueberry and coconut paddle pop
Blueberry and coconut paddle pops Source: Benito Martin
Looking for more ideas? Take a look at the icy treat recipe collection

Share
Follow SBS Food
SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food
Have a story or comment? Contact Us

SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only.
Watch nowOn Demand
Follow SBS Food
4 min read

Published

Updated

By SBS Food bite-sized
Source: SBS


Share this with family and friends


SBS Food Newsletter

Get your weekly serving. What to cook, the latest food news, exclusive giveaways - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS On Demand
SBS News
SBS Audio

Listen to our podcasts
You know pizza, pasta and tiramisu, but have you tried the Ugly Ducklings of Italian Cuisine?
Everybody eats, but who gets to define what good food is?
Get the latest with our SBS podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch SBS On Demand
Bring the world to your kitchen

Bring the world to your kitchen

Eat with your eyes: binge on our daily menus on channel 33.