HOW TO MAKE ICE CUBE TRAY POPSICLES: There’s nothing better than a cold piece of fresh fruit on a hot summer’s day. Having a frozen treat ready to go, ready to lick, is refreshing and convenient. Homemade popsicles are fun to enjoy and easy to make!
Original recipe posted: July 2011 | Recipe updated: October 2019
When I was in middle school, I can remember taking full advantage of the fruit trees we had in our yard (I haven’t always lived in the Minnesota tundra). We had quite the selection. Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, tangerines and tangelos. In addition to eating and drinking large quantities of fruit, I would often put together elaborate fruit juice stands or come up with creative multi-fruit popsicles. I miss those fruit trees! Now all I have is snow!
I had no idea that watermelon and mint were such a great duo! If our fruit tree haven would have included a garden with watermelons, I may have already known about this.
These popsicles are a refreshingly delicious treat in this heavy, humid heat we are experiencing right now. I felt like a kid again as I filled up the ice cube trays and eagerly waited for the popsicles to freeze.
HOW TO MAKE ICE CUBE TRAY FRUIT POPSICLES
Skip the store bought popsicles because it’s fun to make ice pops with family!
STEP 1
In a blender or food processor, add seedless watermelon and sugar. Puree until smooth.
STEP 2
Stir in minced mint leaves and grated lemon zest, plus a pinch of salt
STEP 3
Pour the puree into 8 popsicle molds or 2 standard ice cube trays.
Freeze until hard, about 3-4 hours. Insert wooden popsicle sticks after an hour or so of freezing.
RECIPE TIPS
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Run warm water over the underside of the tray to help the popsicles release.
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Toothpicks are an alternative to wooden Popsicle sticks.
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A silicone ice cube tray is a great option to have fun shaped popsicles, too!
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An easy trick to helping the popsicle sticks stay upright is to place a piece of plastic wrap over your tray and get it as tight as you can. Then stick the toothpicks through the saran wrap into each cube. If using popsicle sticks, use a knife tip to pierce the wrap.
OTHER DELICIOUS COMBINATIONS TO TRY
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Using one flavor of juice is easy and tasty – try orange juice or lemonade!
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Yogurt + 2 cups your favorite fruit – puree the fruit and put a spoonful of yogurt to fill half the cube space and fill the other with pureed fruit.
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Coconut milk (unsweetened), 1 pureed mango + 1 tsp vanilla, pureed and poured into the tray.
MORE FUN FROZEN TREATS
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Easy Frozen Peach Yogurt – Three-ingredient homemade Frozen Peach Yogurt is perfect to have on hand for a healthy snack. Just as delicious as ice cream, but so much healthier! EASILY transform fresh peaches into a yummy frozen treat!
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Ice Cream Sandwiches with M&M’s Cookies – These delicious Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches are a delicious spring or summer treat. Use red, white and blue chocolate M&M’s for an added a touch of patriotic fun!
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Homemade Cherry Garcia Ice Cream – Skip Ben and Jerry’s and make your own Cherry Garcia Ice Cream!
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake – This frozen cake involves a giant baked cookie, cookie dough ice cream, hot fudge topping, cool whip, chocolate chips and COOKIES. It doesn’t get any better than this!
How to Make Ice Cube Tray Popsicles
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs. seedless watermelon without the rind, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
- 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup mint leaves minced
- 2 tsp. lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Instructions
- In a blender, puree the watermelon with the sugar until smooth. Stir in the mint, grated lemon zest and salt. Pour the puree into 8 popsicle molds or 2 ice cube trays (insert popsicle sticks halfway through freezing) and freeze until hard, 3 to 4 hours.
This sounds absolutely amazing! It's over 100 here in Boston today and I feel like I'm melting.
What a fun idea combining the mint and watermelon. Every Wedesnday I host a recipe spotlight where you can come and show off your best recipes. I'd love for you to stop by tomorrow!
I have been looking for recipes to utilize the massive amount of watermelon i'm going to have around after making watermelon rind pickle AND the ridiculous amount of mint I have in my garden now. And TADA! here you are with one that covers both bases!
I am however considering making this an adult beverage by adding rum and ice to the blender. Watermelon-Mint Daiquiris here I come!
Mint and watermelon make an excellent flavor combination! Fresh and summery.
You are like the Queen of cool recipes. In the past week alone, I've made your rocky road fudge thingy and your garlic pinwheels. Now these are destined to be frozen on the weekend! Keep them coming!
What a great idea! I love it. Sadly here it is too cold for it 🙂