To make the best cherry popsicles all you need is cherries, honey, and yogurt. If you love cherries these popsicles are sweet, juicy, and refreshing just like this cherry raspberry smoothie!
Dark sweet cherries have been a favourite of mine since eating them as a child in my Grandparent's cherry orchard, now I love eating cherries in the form of popsicles with my kids!
Why you'll love this recipe:
- You only use healthy ingredients to make these frozen ice pops (aka popsicles), just like my dragon fruit popsicles!
- They are super friendly for so many diets - gluten free, vegan, refined sugar free, (for dairy free use dairy free yogurt)
- These popsicles only take 15 minutes to prepare! They are quick, just like my recipe for bright yellow mango popsicles!
- These red juicy popsicles are the best because of their soft texture, just let them sit for 5-8 minutes before enjoying the perfect softness.
- It's perfect to make in the summer because it a no bake recipe, so you don't need to heat up the house with your oven to have a treat.
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Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes prep
Freeze Time: 5-8 hours freezing
Dietary: Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Refined Sugar-Free
Note: Easy to make, three simple whole ingredients, popsicle mold needed
Ingredients
Let's chat about the real food ingredients needed to make these tasty delicious popsicles.
- Cherries: I used frozen cherries because they are easy to get (cherries don't need to be in season), they are already pitted (so much of the work is done!), and they are more affordable! I used pitted dark sweet cherries from President's Choice Brand. Fresh cherries will work too, you will just need to freeze these popsicles longer!
- Honey: The flavour combo of honey and cherry together is so magical! I like to use raw local honey for its health benefits.
- Yogurt: Use vanilla yogurt, or plain yogurt and add a bit of maple syrup or honey to sweeten it. We dip the cherry popsicles into the yogurt to have a creamy yogurty outside layer! To make these dairy free, use dairy free yogurt or coconut cream.
See recipe card for quantities.
Nutrition Of Cherries
Key nutrients in cherries include:
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
Eating cherries has been shown to help support gout, arthritis, obesity, and paralysis. It supports the glandular system, the liver, and the gallbladder with toxic waste removal. This information is gathered from Prescription for Dietary Wellness by Phyllis A. Balch.
How to Make Homemade Cherry Popsicles
Honestly, homemade popsicles are so easy to make! The hardest part is waiting for them to freeze! Follow along with the pictures to see how to make your very own cherry popsicles.
If using frozen cherries: start by softening your frozen cherries. Place the cherries in a colander in the sink and pour boiling water over them. Alternatively, let the cherries sit at room temperature for an hour.
Place the honey and the soft pitted cherries in a blender container.
Blend until everything is smooth and liquidy.
Carefully pour the popsicle cherry mixture into a mold. Add popsicle sticks and freeze for 5-8 hours.
Dip in yogurt: After the popsicles are frozen, place the yogurt in a tall glass, hold it at an angle and dip the popsicle in the yogurt. Place the popsicles on a silicone mat or parchment paper, and freeze for 10 more minutes.
Top tip
- I have tested how long popsicles take to freeze in two freezers, the fastest was 4.5 hours. Allow the popsicles 5-8 hours to freeze. However it's best to plan and expect to eat them tomorrow.
- Let the popsicle sit out for 5-10 minutes before eating. This gives them the soft juicy texture.
Substitutions and Variations
You can make these healthy popsicles with other fruit!
- Strawberry: I have tested this recipe with half frozen strawberries and half frozen cherries and it was so incredible! You could also make it with just strawberries!
- Mango: do you prefer a yellow popsicle? Use this recipe and then dip them in yogurt if you choose!
- Dragon Fruit: instead of red you can make bright purple or pink popsicles, use this recipe for dragon fruit popsicles, lastly dip these in vanilla yogurt if you choose!
Equipment
Blender: To make popsicles at home you will need a blender or a food processor to blend the cherries into a thin mixture before freezing.
Popsicle Mold + Wooden Popsicle Sticks: This is a key piece to make popsicles! If you don't have a mold, many things can work in a pinch (little yogurt cups, dixie cups, muffin tray). However, I got my popsicle mold from amazon.ca two years ago, the reason I love this silicone mold is that it easily pops out the frozen icy popsicle!
Storage and Freezing
Freeze these cherry popsicles for at least 4.5 hours and up to overnight until they are fully frozen. To get them out of the mold run them under warm water. To store longer, wrap them in saran wrap, wax paper, or parchment paper, so they don't stick together. Place the frozen popsicles into a Tupperware, or glass container, or sealing bag before placing them into the freezer. They will stay good for 4 months. After 4 months the popsicles may become icy and not taste as fresh but they won't be bad.
FAQ
To make softer popsicles limit the water content! Water content (like juice) makes popsicles more solid and hard when frozen. Sugary foods and alcohol do not fully freeze making something more soft when frozen, therefore for this recipe we use sweet cherries and honey. Lastly let the popsicles sit for 5-7 minutes before eating.
Fill a popsicle mold almost full, leaving ¼ inch at the top as liquid expands when it freezes.
Fruit popsicles can be healthy, it depends on all of the ingredients in the popsicle. Stay away from any fruit popsicles with added refined sugars, dyes, and ingredients you cannot pronounce. A healthy popsicle will be made with real fruit especially whole fruit (including fiber not just juice).
No Bake Treats
Looking for other recipes to try in the hot weather? Try these:
Like this post about the best cherry popsicles? Give this recipe a star rating and let me know down below the recipe! I love hearing from you, honestly, it makes my day.
Best Cherry Popsicles
Equipment
- 1 blender
Ingredients
- 5 cups frozen pitted cherries or a mix of strawberries and cherries
- 3 tablespoon honey
- 1.5 cups vanilla yogurt or plain yogurt mixed with maple syrup
Instructions
- Place the frozen fruit in a colendar in the sink, and pour 1 kettle of boiling water over the frozen fruit to soften it.
- Put the softened cherries into the blender container. Add the honey and blend until completely smooth.
- Pour into popsicle molds (I got about 5, ⅓ cup popsicles). Freeze for about 5-8 hours.
- Remove popsicles from the mold, dip into yogurt, place them on a silicone mat or parchment paper on a baking pan. Freeze for another 10 minutes.
- Take them out of the freezer and let them soften for a few mintues or eat right away! Enjoy.
Frieda says
These popsicles are delicious. We live in an area with excess cherries so it’s great to have another cherry recipe!
I like things on the less sweet side so I’d likely use a little less honey when making it for my family (especially with the yogourt sweetened with maple syrup) but soo gooood!! LOVE!