Homemade Cherry Popsicles | Low Sugar Recipe

These homemade cherry popsicles are the perfect summer treat. They are made with four wholesome ingredients, minimal natural sugar and the whole family will love them!

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Summer is in full swing. The fresh fruit is abundant, so why not use it! Popsicles are a great way to do that.

On a hot summer day (like today!), it's essential to have a few treats in the freezer to cool us all down, especially the kids!

Making summer snacks with minimal natural sugars is a high priority for me. The body can only handle 28 grams of added sugar a day (sugar in whole fruit doesn't count). These homemade popsicles only have 6 grams of added natural sugar each!

Most store bought popsicles and frozen treats are made with artificial flavors, refined sugar and food coloring. Not good! Making popsicles is easy and much healthier. The hardest part is waiting for them to freeze.

Are Cherry Popsicles Healthy?

This cherry popsicle recipe is made with simple, real ingredients that you can feel good about feeding to your family!

Coconut milk - Coconut milk is a rich, creamy substitute for dairy, but it's very enjoyable even if you can drink cow's milk! Normally it imparts a coconut flavor to whatever it's added to, but I don't notice that in this recipe. Coconut milk is high in fats and many vitamins and minerals, including copper, manganese, selenium, iron and folate. It may improve heart health, reduce inflammation and fight viruses!

Look for high quality coconut milk with minimal additives and without BPA (a chemical that can lead to cancer and reproductive issues) in the can lining. This is a good option. Hint: If it costs $0.88 for a can, it's probably not the best brand to buy...

Cherries - No matter the kind of cherry you use, it will be high in fibre, antioxidants, vitamins (lots of Vitamin C and potassium) and minerals. You can use frozen cherries or fresh cherries (have fun with the cherry pitter!).

Maple syrup - High in sugar, as we know, but there is so little in this recipe. Each popsicle contains ½ tablespoon of maple syrup, which is 6 grams of sugar, much less than most popsicle recipes. Storebought popsicles contain around 15 grams of sugar. You can get "sugar-free" ones, but those are filled with chemical sweeteners that aren't any good for you. Maple syrup is natural and also contains a small number of vitamins and minerals. I use the least amount of a natural sweetener possible to create a delicious end result!

Are Cherry Popsicles Vegan?

These are vegan popsicles, as coconut milk is used as the base instead of dairy milk and the popsicles are sweetened with maple syrup. If you aren't vegan, you could use honey to sweeten them.

WHAT CAN I USE IF I DON'T HAVE POPSICLE MOLDS?

• Dixie cups (paper cups)
• Plastic cups (disposable)
• Empty and clean used single serving yogurt or applesauce cups
• Ice cube trays
• Muffins tins

How Long do Homemade Fruit Popsicles Last?

Stored properly, these popsicles can last up to 3 months in the freezer.

TIPS FOR MAKING CHERRY POPSICLES

• You can taste test your mixture before pouring and make adjustments if needed, just remember that the pops will taste sweeter once frozen! Two tablespoons of maple syrup is the perfect amount for us, but some people may prefer three tablespoons.
• If using silicone molds, place them on a flat tray or dish for more stability when setting them down in the freezer.
• When ready to enjoy, run warm water over the popsicle mold for a few moments to help soften and release the popsicles.

Tools You May Need

Popsicle molds (I have this silicone mold)

Wooden popsicle sticks (if your molds don't come with reusable handles)

Blender (I love this one!)

How to Make Cherry Popsicles

Ingredients:

• 1 cup full fat coconut milk
• 2 cups cherries, pitted
• 2 tablespoon maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Add all ingredients into a high-speed blender or food processor.

Blend until smooth, stopping once to scrape the sides.

Pour the cherry mixture into popsicle molds and place sticks into popsicles. If your mold doesn't come with reusable sticks, or if they are unavailable (mine are often in use holding other popsicles!), freeze the mixture in molds for about 40 minutes. The popsicles will be frosty, but still soft enough to insert the popsicle sticks. Insert the popsicle sticks and freeze for a minimum of 4 more hours.

When ready to eat, run mold under warm water and wiggle popsicles to release them.

How to Store Cherry Popsicles

These cherry popsicles may be stored in the mold for up to 1 week. After that, they may start to take on freezer smells or become freezer burnt. Don't let that happen!

For longer storage (up to 2 weeks), remove all popsicles from mold and place in an airtight container or freezer bag.

For the longest storage (up to 3 months), individually wrap popsicles in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. But let's be honest, they never last that long in my house!

Did you try this recipe? If so, I would really appreciate a 5-star rating and your comments below! Thanks!

More Healthy Summer Treats

• Chocolate Fudge Popsicles
• Lemon Popsicles
• Dairy Free Brownies
• Creamy Lemon Bars
• Low Sugar Lemonade
• Maple No Bake Cookies