Labor Day may signal the end of summer, but these Homemade Orange Creamsicle Popsicles give you the summertime vibes all year round! Made with layers of fresh, orange popsicle and homemade ice cream - these babies taste even better than they look.
Despite my favorite color being orange, I don't usually like the taste in drinks or food. However, I had a really strong, nostalgic craving for one of those citrusy creamsicle popsicles. And since I'm a bit of a popsicle pro - see my popsicle miniseries - I knew that I could knock a homemade version of these out of the park!
This recipe is a true nod to the store-bought kind, so they have distinct layers instead of just blending the orange and cream together. They come together perfectly for so little effort! You have to try these cool treats.
The Coined Breakdown
- Total Cost per serving: $0.39
- Total Cost (8 popsicles): $3.13
- Those Other Guys: $4.00 per popsicle
Ingredients
- Oranges - Grab some big juicy oranges for the base of this recipe. You want that fresh flavor that will shine in a popsicle, that you can't get from buying orange juice from a container.
- Heavy Cream - Heavy cream is working overtime in this recipe - we add just a bit to the orange juice layer, and then make a version of homemade ice cream for the creamsicle layer.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk - Sweetened condensed milk helps the creamsicle layers freeze beautifully, and also gives the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Honey or Agave - To sweeten up our citrus base.
- Vanilla Extract - For extra flavor in our creamy layers.
- Salt - Just a tad enhances all of our sweet ingredients!
- Orange Food Coloring Gel - Completely optional; but I added a couple drops of food coloring gel so that orange color could truly POP! It doesn't affect the taste or texture, so you're fine to leave it out if you prefer.
Variations and Substitutions
Homemade Miami Vice Popsicles: For another layered popsicle, you can turn a classic Miami vice into an adult sweet treat with strawberry and Pina colada sorbet.
Blueberry Crumble Ice Cream: What a fun twist on a classic dessert pairing! Using blueberry compote and a homemade brown sugar crumble topping, this one never lasts long at home.
4-Ingredient Mango Sorbet: Use up any extra fruit in a delicious, easy recipe for Mango Sorbet.
Cookies and Cream Ice Cream: In an ice cream mood instead? My cookies and cream ice cream, made without an ice cream maker, is perfect for the summer days.
How to Make Layered Orange Creamsicle Popsicles from Scratch
Step 1: To begin, peel and chop your oranges into even-sized pieces.
Step 2: Blend the orange pieces together with heavy cream, vanilla extract, agave/honey, and salt.
If you prefer, add a bit of orange food coloring to get a brighter color.
Step 3: Set the orange mixture aside, and whisk cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
Step 4: Next, gently stir in your sweetened condensed milk into the whipped cream.
Step 5: This is your creamsicle base - it should be silky smooth and will taste really good.
Step 6: Now it's time to assemble! Layer alternate spoonfuls of the orange layer and the cream layer until you get to the top of your mold.
Clean up the sides of the holes, add the top, and then stick popsicle sticks inside.
Freeze for at least 6 hours - but overnight is best.
Recipe Pro Tip
- Keep your whisking tools cold. Part of the homemade ice cream base involves whisking heavy cream to create whipped cream. Adding your bowl and whisk attachment to the fridge for about 10 minutes beforehand helps the cream firm up faster!
Recipe FAQs
To easily remove popsicles from their mold, simply run some warm water over the bottom of the molds for about a minute. Using silicone molds, you can also slightly “peel” the mold away from the edges. Pull the popsicles out, and you’re good to go!
I don't recommend, as you won't get that beautiful, fresh orange flavor. We haven't tested this, but I bet you could substitute in some orange concentrate!
Most popsicle molds come with individual cellophane bags to wrap them in. You can store them, wrapped, right in the freezer.
In a pinch, feel free to add the popsicles to a large freezer-safe bag.
Other Tasty Frozen Treats You'll Love!
If you tried this Homemade Orange Creamsicle Popsicles Recipe, or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you! Thanks for visiting!
Homemade Orange Creamsicles
Equipment
- Chef's Knife
- Blender
- Strainer
- Mixing Bowl
- Hand Mixer with whisk attachment
- Popsicle Mold
- Popsicle Sticks
- Cellophane Bags optional
Ingredients
Orange Portion
- 3 count large oranges
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ⅛ cup agave
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- orange food color gel optional - for an extra pop of color!
Creamsicle Portion
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
To Make the Orange Portion:
- Start out by peeling and cutting your oranges into small pieces.
- Add the cut oranges, heavy cream, agave, vanilla, and salt to a blender and blend until combined.
- If you want, you can add some orange food coloring gel for a bigger pop of color on your popsicles. This is completely optional and doesn't affect the taste!
- Strain the mixture if you really dislike pulp, and set the liquid aside.
To Make the Creamsicle Portion:
- To a cold bowl, add the heavy cream and vanilla.
- Whisk it using a hand mixer or stand mixer, until you have stiff peaks.
- Fold in the sweetened condensed milk; this mixture will be a silky smooth texture.
To Layer in the Popsicle Mold:
- Add the orange mixture and cream mixture in alternating layers to a popsicle mold.
- Cover the mold with the included top, and add in popsicle sticks.
- Freeze for at least 6 hours, but overnight is best.
- To remove the popsicles from their molds, run warm water over the bottom of the popsicle mold. Remove the popsicles and serve immediately.
- Any excess popsicles can be wrapped in cellophane bags & added to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. Enjoy!
Neelie518 says
Hi
Thanks for the recipe 🙂 I too have been craving a creamsicle 🙂
I have them chilling in the freezer and cant wait to try them.
Could you give a weight measurement on the oranges. I noticed in the store that they vary greatly size.
Thank you
Shani W. says
Thank you for commenting! A large orange usually weighs about 170-180 grams, so I'll say around an average of 525 grams total!
Danielle says
This recipe was awesome!
At first, before freezing I tasted both parts and felt a little disappointed. Once it's frozen, the flavor completely changes. I will DEFINITELY be making this again. Brings back great childhood memories.
I think my oranges were too small but it's ok! We had a lot of the cream part left over so I gave a bit to the dogs as a special treat. I made 10 popsicles out of this recipe. I think next time I would double the orange part. I did use a drop or 2 of gel color to get that vibrant orange.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Shani W. says
Thank you Danielle - so glad your family & the doggos loved it!
Debra Holeman says
Your directions say to peel and cut oranges. So, no orange zest goes in?
Shani W. says
Through the taste testing process, I've found that you get a great orange flavor from the flesh without having to zest the peel. Feel free to try out a bit of orange zest if you prefer, and let me know your thoughts!