Introduction
Hey there, sweet friend! Let’s talk about summer, shall we? You know, those lazy, hazy days filled with sunshine, the scent of freshly cut grass, and the sweet, sticky goodness of perfectly ripe peaches? There’s just something magical about them, isn’t there? They taste like pure sunshine in fruit form.
Well, what if I told you you could capture that feeling, that perfect peach flavor, in a frosty, refreshing treat? Yep, we’re making homemade peach popsicles today, and trust me, they couldn’t be simpler. If you’ve got ripe peaches and a blender, you’re basically already there. These aren’t those overly sweet, artificial-tasting things from the store; these are pure, peachy perfection on a stick. They’re the kind of treat that brings you right back to childhood summers, and they’re so easy, you’ll want to make them all season long!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, we’re talking maybe 5 minutes of active time before the freezer does the rest.
- Easy: Blend, pour, freeze. That’s it! No cooking, no complicated steps.
- Giftable (sort of!): Okay, maybe not literally gifting a frozen pop, but they are the perfect treat to share when friends stop by on a hot day. Everyone lights up when you offer a homemade popsicle!
- Crowd-Pleasing: Who doesn’t love a refreshing, fruity popsicle? This simple peach flavor is a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike.
- Made with Real Fruit: You know exactly what’s going into these – just fruit, a touch of lemon, and a little sweetness.
Ingredients
Gather ’round, this is a short and sweet list!
- 4-5 large ripe peaches, unpeeled: The star of the show! Make sure they are really ripe. Like, the kind you have to eat over the sink because the juice runs down your chin. Ripe peaches mean maximum flavor and natural sweetness. Don’t worry about peeling; the blender handles it, and leaving the skin adds color and nutrients!
- Juice of 1/2 lemon: Just a little squeeze! This isn’t to make them lemony, but the acidity brightens the peach flavor and helps keep the color vibrant.
- 2 Tbsp sugar: This amount is just a suggestion. Depending on how sweet your peaches are, you might want a little more or even none at all. Taste the mixture before you freeze it and adjust to your perfect sweetness level. You could also use honey, maple syrup, or your favorite sweetener.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s turn those beautiful peaches into frozen sunshine!
- Combine all ingredients in a blender. Seriously, just toss your chunks of ripe peach, the squeeze of lemon juice, and the sugar right into your blender container.
- Blend until smooth. Secure the lid and blend away! Start on low and gradually increase speed until you have a perfectly smooth, pourable mixture. Make sure there are no chunks left. You want that creamy, pureed texture for a smooth popsicle.
- Pour the mixture into popsicle molds. Grab your popsicle molds. You might need a funnel or a steady hand and a measuring cup with a spout to avoid drips. Pour the peach mixture into each mold, leaving a little bit of headspace at the top (don’t fill them right to the brim, as liquids expand slightly when freezing).
- Insert popsicle sticks and freeze until solid. If your molds have slots for sticks, pop them in now. If they require partial freezing first, follow your mold’s instructions. Carefully place the filled molds in your freezer on a level shelf. Now, the hardest part: waiting! It usually takes at least 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight, for them to freeze solid.
And just like that, you’ve made homemade peach popsicles! See? I told you it was easy!
Substitutions & Additions
Want to mix things up? Get creative! These popsicles are a great base for experimenting.
- Make it a Peach Berry Blast: Add a handful of strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries to the blender along with the peaches.
- Creamy Peach Pops: For a richer, creamier texture, blend in about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt, coconut milk, or even a splash of heavy cream.
- Spice it Up: Add a tiny pinch of cinnamon, ginger, or a dash of vanilla extract to the mix before blending for a little extra warmth.
- Sweetener Swaps: Instead of sugar, try honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or a sugar substitute. Taste and adjust as needed!
- Boost the Flavor: Add a tiny splash of orange juice or a bit of lime juice instead of or in addition to the lemon.
Tips for Success
Even though this recipe is super simple, here are a couple of things I’ve learned:
- Use RIPE Peaches: I can’t stress this enough! The flavor and natural sweetness come from the peaches. If they aren’t ripe, your popsicles will taste bland and you’ll need way more sugar.
- Blend it SMOOTH: Make sure there are no little chunks left. A smooth puree makes for the best popsicle texture.
- Don’t Overfill Molds: Leaving a little space prevents overflow as they freeze.
- Be Patient with Freezing: Let them freeze completely. Trying to unmold them too early is a recipe for broken popsicles.
- To Unmold: If your popsicles are sticking, run the outside of the mold under warm water for just 10-20 seconds. Don’t let them melt, just enough to loosen them.
How to Store It
Once your beautiful peach popsicles are frozen solid, the best way to store them depends on your molds.
If your molds have lids and can be kept upright without spilling, you can certainly store them right in the molds in the freezer. However, space can be an issue!
My preferred method is to gently remove the frozen popsicles from their molds (using the warm water trick if needed) and then transfer them to a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container. Layer them with small pieces of parchment or wax paper between them to prevent sticking. Stored properly, they should last in the freezer for 1-2 months, though honestly, they probably won’t last that long because you’ll eat them all!
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Do I have to peel the peaches?
Nope! The skin blends up beautifully, adds color and nutrients, and saves you time. Just make sure your peaches are ripe and your blender is capable of handling it.
Can I use frozen peaches?
Yes, absolutely! Frozen peaches work great and are available year-round. You might need to let them thaw slightly or add a tiny splash of water or juice to the blender to help get them going, but the result will still be delicious.
Can I omit the sugar?
If your peaches are incredibly ripe and sweet, you absolutely can! Taste the blended mixture before freezing. If it’s sweet enough for you from the fruit alone, feel free to skip the added sugar.
How long do they take to freeze?
It really depends on your freezer and the size of your molds, but typically plan for at least 4-6 hours. For best results and easy unmolding, letting them freeze overnight is ideal.
Easy Homemade Ripe Peach Popsicles
Equipment
- Blender
- Popsicle molds
- Funnel Optional, for pouring
- Measuring cup with a spout Optional, for pouring
- Freezer
- Freezer-safe zip-top bag For storage
- Airtight container For storage
- Parchment paper Optional, for storage
- Wax paper Optional, for storage
Ingredients
Popsicles
- 4 large ripe peaches or 5 large ripe peaches, unpeeled; The star of the show! Make sure they are really ripe. Don't worry about peeling; the blender handles it, and leaving the skin adds color and nutrients!
- 0.5 lemon Juice of 1/2 lemon; Just a little squeeze! This isn't to make them lemony, but the acidity brightens the peach flavor and helps keep the color vibrant.
- 2 Tbsp sugar This amount is just a suggestion. Depending on how sweet your peaches are, you might want a little more or even none at all. Taste the mixture before you freeze it and adjust to your perfect sweetness level. You could also use honey, maple syrup, or your favorite sweetener.
Optional Additions/Substitutions
- Strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries A handful to add along with peaches
- 0.25 cup Plain Greek yogurt, coconut milk, or heavy cream Or up to 1/2 cup for a creamy texture
- Cinnamon, ginger, or vanilla extract A tiny pinch or dash
- Honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or sugar substitute Instead of sugar
- Orange juice or lime juice A tiny splash instead of or in addition to lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender. Seriously, just toss your chunks of ripe peach, the squeeze of lemon juice, and the sugar right into your blender container.
- Blend until smooth. Secure the lid and blend away! Start on low and gradually increase speed until you have a perfectly smooth, pourable mixture. Make sure there are no chunks left. You want that creamy, pureed texture for a smooth popsicle.
- Pour the mixture into popsicle molds. Grab your popsicle molds. You might need a funnel or a steady hand and a measuring cup with a spout to avoid drips. Pour the peach mixture into each mold, leaving a little bit of headspace at the top (don't fill them right to the brim, as liquids expand slightly when freezing).
- Insert popsicle sticks and freeze until solid. If your molds have slots for sticks, pop them in now. If they require partial freezing first, follow your mold's instructions. Carefully place the filled molds in your freezer on a level shelf. Now, the hardest part: waiting! It usually takes at least 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight, for them to freeze solid.
Notes
Blend it SMOOTH: Make sure there are no little chunks left. A smooth puree makes for the best popsicle texture.
Don't Overfill Molds: Leaving a little space prevents overflow as they freeze.
Be Patient with Freezing: Let them freeze completely. Trying to unmold them too early is a recipe for broken popsicles.
To Unmold: If your popsicles are sticking, run the outside of the mold under warm water for just 10-20 seconds. Don't let them melt, just enough to loosen them.
Storage: Once frozen solid, you can store them in the molds if space allows. Alternatively, gently remove from molds and transfer to a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container. Layer with small pieces of parchment or wax paper between them to prevent sticking. Stored properly, they should last 1-2 months.