Beat the Heat with Creative Homemade Ice Lollies

We’re making our snacks work hard for us this summer. Hydrating, cooling and energising, ice lolly recipes are unrivalled as hot day pick-me-ups. Easy to create and to customise, there’s an ice lolly for everyone in the family – even the dog!

Some of our best-loved homemade ice lolly recipes are the simplest. From frozen fruit squash, icy fruit slices and yoghurt dipped lollies, there’s plenty to explore. You can find all the ice lolly making equipment you need with Lakeland, and keep effortlessly cool all summer long!

How to make your own ice lollies

Refreshing homemade ice lollies can be whipped up using healthy ingredients – although the more indulgent ice pop recipes aren’t half bad either! Most will be based on fruit, yoghurt or even just squash. When you’re in control of the ingredients you can make them to your taste, and they’re likely to be a whole lot cheaper and more nutritious than shop bought.

Of all the possible recipes, the most straightforward is for squash ice lollies. From this simple starting point, you can add personality and flare to your frozen treats. Add some fruit pieces to be suspended in the ice for a picture-perfect treat, or experiment with filling your moulds in sections to create a multi-coloured layered ice lolly.

To get you started on making your own homemade ice lollies, you’ll need ice lolly makers, ice pop moulds and lolly sticks. At Lakeland, you’ll find a wonderful array of lolly moulds, from traditional plastic ice lolly holders to silicone ice lolly moulds and even wilder options like Monster Ice Lolly Moulds!

Just remember, to get your goodies out in one piece it’s best to dip the container in warm water. This will help loosen the whole lolly and allow you to pull it out whole.

We’ve got plenty of lolly sticks to go with those moulds too, including traditional wooden lolly sticks that are both nostalgic and environmentally friendly.

How to make ice lollies with juice

If you’re looking for a more filling snack, then a good creamy alternative is to blend yoghurt with your favourite fruits. Blueberries and Greek yoghurt or peach with vanilla yoghurt are excellent combinations. These homemade fruit ice lollies are good at breakfast lunch and dinner – and anytime in between!

If you want to go for a 100% homemade outcome, why not make your own yoghurt too! We’ve got great recipes for lollies using EasiYo yoghurt and fresh fruit.

Healthy strawberry and yoghurt ice lolly recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 part fresh strawberries, chopped, to 2 parts of Greek yoghurt
  • 3 tablespoons of honey or agave nectar
  • 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

Method:

  1. In a blender, combine the fresh strawberries and half the honey/agave nectar, and blend until you have a smooth puree.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix the Greek yoghurt with the remaining honey/agave nectar and the vanilla extract until well combined.
  3. Start filling the lolly moulds by spooning a layer of the yoghurt mixture into each one, then a layer of the strawberry puree. Repeat these layers until the moulds are filled, leaving a little space at the top for the lollies to expand as they freeze.
  4. Using a skewer or the handle of a spoon, swirl the mixtures together to create a marbled effect. This step is optional but adds a fun touch to the lollies.
  5. Insert the lolly sticks and freeze for at least 4-6 hours, or until completely frozen. They’ll stay chilling until the moment you fancy sampling this fresh homemade treat!

How long do ice lollies take to freeze

Typically, ice lollies take about 4-6 hours to freeze completely, but for best results, you might want to leave them in the freezer for up to 8 hours. If you’re using a deep freezer or larger moulds, the freezing time could extend a bit longer so always check the instructions.

To remove the ice lollies from the moulds, follow these steps:

  1. Take the tray from the freezer and rinse the pop mould tray under warm water for 30-60 seconds. This is particular important for more detailed moulds like Zoku’s Shark Ice Pops.
  2. Gently twist the sticks to remove the pops and enjoy!

Dog Ice Lollies for Furry Friends

Our summer ice pops aren’t just for human consumption, dogs will love them too! It’ll keep them cool and hydrated during the dog days of summer.

Use a food processor to a blend of dog-friendly fruits like bananas or apples and add a splash of water. That’s how easy it is to make doggy ice lollies. As an alternative to the lolly stick, try using an edible alternative or dental chew. You could even use our giant ice cube tray as your lolly mould. A summer treat for the whole household!

Creating your own lollies is a fun, effective way to beat the heat. They’re perfect for an summer day boost and will make those sweaty working-from-home weeks more bearable! Don’t forget to have a look out our ice cream makers too, for a heartier chilled treat. You can find our guide on how to use an ice cream maker and lots of recipes on our blog.