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Oh summer! How I love thee! Kids outside playing. Pool is filled up. (Who cares if it’s just a kiddie pool? Don’t judge me.) Baseball is happening. (Course, isn’t always baseball happening? I mean, they start in March and go to October…what other sport does that?!) A lot of good is to be had during summer.
One thing that is REALLY good to do in the summer is to make homemade creamsicles. (Course, it’s really good any time of the year. Again, don’t judge me.) Now, I don’t know if there’s an official definition of what goes into a creamsicle versus a popsicle. But, to my little ol’ noggin, a creamsicle is ice cream based and a popsicle isn’t. So that’s why I’m calling these creamsicles. Whatever you call it, I love them!
Now, why make a homemade creamsicle instead just buying them at the store? They’re pretty inexpensive when there’s a good sale going on. The food producers out there make some really, really, really tasty treats. Why take the time and effort to make your own? Why mess with perfection!?!?
Why indeed! Several reasons, actually!
First, for me, I make our own because we’re dealing with food sensitivities here. Two of my sons are milk-free, which almost already eliminates any ice cream-based product out there. And it also eliminates most chocolate chips that you get. BUT…because I’m making my own, I can use “ice cream” made from rice milk or almond milk. And I can use chocolate chips that don’t have added milk. (Enjoy Life is the brand we use.)
Another reason to make them yourself is that you can customize them. I usually make them with chocolate chips, but I also have used chopped up Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. VERY GOOD! Since only a couple of us have the food sensitivities, I make some of them with the almond milk ice cream and some with just regular ice cream. Then everyone gets what they want!
Lastly, it’s just fun! It doesn’t take a special trip to the store as long as you have ice cream. Well, once you buy the molds that is. Kids like to watch you make them, dream about them and it’s a fun thing you can do together if your kids are old enough. Family bonding!
I picked up some cheap molds a couple of summers ago at Hobby Lobby and they were great! But in case you don’t have some, these have great reviews on Amazon:
The “recipe” isn’t complicated. Let the ice cream soften a bit. Stir in some mix-ins. Spoon the mixture into the molds. Put the lids on. Freeze. That’s it. What a fast recipe!
Homemade Chocolate Chip Creamsicles
Ingredients
- Ice cream - any flavor
- Mix ins - any kind such as chocolate chips, sprinkles, candy pieces or even freezer-friendly fruits like strawberries
Instructions
- Scoop some ice cream into a bowl. How much you need depends on the size of your molds and the number that you're making. For my small-ish molds, 3 scoops does it.
- Let the ice cream soften a bit. You can microwave it for a few seconds to hasten the process.
- Stir in some mix-ins.
- Spoon the mixture into the molds.
- Put the lids on the molds. Freeze.
- When ready to serve, I usually run the bottom of the mold under warm water for a few seconds, then they pull right out.
Jayme is a wife to 1 and a mother to four little boys. She coupons, price matches and meal plans. While she likes to cook, she’s in the stage of life where simple is usually better – she never knows how many hands she’ll have free at dinner time! You can find her at No Regrets Living.
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