About This Cherry Vanilla Popsicles Recipe
Delicious, easy, and refreshingly cool, I love these fruity popsicles since they are so easy to make and with only a few simple ingredients. With very little preparation, you get an excellent homemade treat to enjoy on a hot day.
Unlike store-bought ice pops that are loaded with refined sugar, this recipe gives you delectable refreshing delights made with all-natural, super-nutritious ingredients. Creamy vanilla pudding and sweet cherries are a lovely combination of flavors.
Besides being delicious and nutritious, cherries are also packed with nutrients, vitamins, and fibers that deliver great health benefits. Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, eating cherries can also help fight cellular damage, reduce inflammation, and promote overall health.
Homemade vanilla pudding is my favorite memory of childhood dessert. Every time I wanted something delicious, grandma would whip up a vanilla pudding in no time. An easy treat, it’s a comforting and nostalgic delight.
With popsicles, however, the only tricky part is waiting for them to freeze. But when you try them, you’ll see it was well worth the wait!
What You Need for This Cherry Vanilla Popsicles Recipe
Ingredient Notes
- Milk: Milk forms the base of the vanilla pudding and helps thin the popsicles mixture slightly.
- Sugar: To add some sweetness to the pudding.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps the pudding to thicken.
- Egg Yolk: Egg yolk gives the pudding a velvety texture and a deeper yellow color.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is made by soaking pure vanilla beans in a mixture of water and ethyl alcohol. It is less processed and has a stronger, purer vanilla flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the amount of salt you add to the pudding. Butter also adds richness to the pudding.
- Cherries: Juicy, sweet, and with a touch of acidity, cherries are the perfect fruit for these popsicles.
- Salt: Salt enhances the flavors.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cherries: Because they are sweet but have a touch of acidity, I think cherries are perfect for this recipe. But you may use whatever fruits you like. I think blueberries, apricots, nectarines, plums will work as great substitutes.
- Cornstarch: If you don’t have cornstarch, you can also use potato starch or wheat flour.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh ones?
Yes, of course. If you use frozen cherries, I recommend thawing them first to allow them to release their juices.
Can I make these popsicles if I don’t have popsicle molds?
Yes! If you don’t have popsicle molds, you may use little paper cups and popsicle sticks instead.
Can I use vanilla essence instead of vanilla extract?
While it will not affect the texture of the popsicle, using vanilla essence may affect the flavor. For desserts cooked over medium-low heat, such as this pudding, it is best to use pure vanilla extract or vanilla paste.
Cherry Vanilla Popsicles
Description
Homemade vanilla pudding combined with sweet and juicy cherries makes for the perfect frozen fruity popsicles to beat the summer heat.
Yield: 6 medium popsicles
Ingredients
For the vanilla pudding
For the popsicles
How To Make Cherry Vanilla Popsicles Step By Step
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Let’s start with the pudding. Whisk milk, sugar, salt, cornstarch, and egg yolk in a medium-sized saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat and stir continuously until the mixture is bubbling and thickens, around 5 to 6 minutes.
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Once bubbling, continue to cook for another minute, stirring continuously. The pudding should be thickened but still pourable. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract and unsalted butter.
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Transfer the pudding to a bowl, cover the surface with plastic wrap, and set it aside.
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In the meantime, wash, pit, and cut the cherries.
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In a bowl, whisk the vanilla pudding, milk, and cherries together.
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Pour or spoon the mixture into the popsicle’s molds.
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Slide in the popsicle sticks and freeze them overnight.
Note
- I did not add any extra sugar to these popsicles because the flavor was sweet enough for me. But if your cherries aren’t sweet enough, you may add maple syrup or honey.
- To release the popsicles, run the molds under warm water for a few seconds.
- Depending on the popsicle molds, the yield of finished popsicles may vary.