The flavor of these cherry lemonade popsicles is pure, vibrant, fresh cherry with a touch of citrus — they’re super healthy and one of the joys of summer!
cherry lemonade popsicles are packed with fresh fruit
A popsicle doesn’t have to have a lot of bells and whistles to be gloriously delicious, and these cherry lemonade popsicles prove it. The cherry flavor is intense, and that’s because they’re made from nothing more than pure cherry puree with the tiniest touch of sugar, and fresh lemon juice.
should you add sugar to fruit popsicles?
In this case a little bit of sugar is used to enhance the flavor rather than to sweeten. I don’t add much, just enough to bring out that intense cherry flavor. I’ve never had a more vivid tasting, utterly refreshing popsicle!
method for making cherry lemonade popsicles
This is a formula you can apply to lots of summer fruit, and I plan to do just that, but it’s cherry season right now, so these need to happen asap.
- Grab your cherry pitter and a pound of cherries and remove the pits from the cherries. You can also use frozen thawed cherries for convenience.
- We’re going to puree the pitted cherries, sugar, and lemon juice in a food processor or blender. I strain it, but you don’t have to if you’d like more texture. I like to taste it at this point to adjust if necessary.
- The puree goes right into the popsicle mold, it’s that simple.
- Freeze until solid.
the popsicle mold I use
I love my popsicle mold, I use it at least once a week during the hot weather and it’s a life saver. It’s probably the best $20 I’ve ever spent. I make all kinds of fruit pops, of course, but I also make ice cream bars in it. You can get as healthy or as decadent as you want with your mold, it does both equally well.
The cherry flavor in these pops is really spectacular, I hope you try them. A simple frozen treat like this can make all the difference on a hot day! And because these pops are low in calories and high in nutrients, there’s no guilt involved.
cherry lemonade popsicle making tips
- Be sure to taste your puree and adjust it with more sugar or lemon if necessary. As always, the quality of your fruit will affect your final product, trust your instincts! Add a touch of vanilla or almond extract if you like. Even a bit of cherry liqueur would be fun to try.
- If you don’t have a popsicle mold you can make these with paper cups, just peel the cup away when you’re ready to eat.
- If you can’t get fresh cherries, use frozen, thawed cherries.
- Cherry pitters are inexpensive and worth their weight in gold, you can find them here.
it’s cherry season!
- Cherry Almond Crisp Dump Cake
- Sour Cherry Almond Bars
- Fresh Cherry Dessert Sauce
- Whitefish with Cherry Salsa
- Sweet Cherry Almond Bars
Cherry Lemonade Popsicles
Equipment
- popsicle mold purchase here
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh pitted cherries (you can also use frozen thawed cherries)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the machine as necessary.
- This next step is optional, but I did it — push the puree through a mesh sieve. Press firmly with the back of a spoon so you get as much as possible through.
- Fill the popsicle molds almost to the top. The puree will be thick enough that you can stand the sticks right in, without using the top to hold them.
- Freeze the popsicles until solid. To remove from the mold, immerse the mold up to, but not over, the top lip for just a few seconds in a sink full of hot water.
- To store the popsicles wrap well in plastic.
Nutrition
Ok, first of all I’m falling over at those fabulous photos!! Holy cow, Sue! Stunning work 🙂
Secondly, there’s nothing better than creating fabulous flavors with strong, simple flavors. A winner in every way!
We are able to buy the most delicious cherries at roadside stands right now, pinned. Making these delicious looking pops, my family will love these. Thanks Sue!
I love cherries! I could eat tons of these popsicles!
They taste just like fresh cherries, only better! 😉
These look so good! I love cherries, although I have to admit I’ve never tried a cherry popsicle. Something tells me I’d love this though. 🙂
I love doing recipes like this that aren’t things you can find out in the market. I think you don’t see real fruit cherry pops because cherries are so seasonal and fairly expensive.
What a gorgeous color! I love the intensity of the few ingredients. Fantastic!
I’m pinning this because I want to reach through the screen and eat one of these!! Love lemon with fruit — makes it so bright!!
I was surprised at how much the little bit of lemon helped the cherry flavor come alive, thans Nicole 🙂
These look so fantastic! I need a cherry pitter and a popsicle mold. What brand is your popsicle mold? I’d love to make this recipe! Great work on this!
I link to the popsicle mold at the bottom of the post, it’s one that’s marketed under several different brands, but it’s the one I like and use.
I just pulled my popsicle molds out of storage so I’ll definitely be trying these soon!
I love that moment every year — let the fun begin!!
The color has me mesmerized! I can’t believe there are so few ingredients – love it! Cherry lemonade is a personal favorite – sharing and pinning!
Any alternatives to the sugar? My husband can’t have sugar, honey, agave, etc. I frequently use a frozen juice concentrate and/or a no sugar added jam. I have apple concentrate, cherries, lemon. Will give it a try!
You really don’t need the sugar, there’s so little of it in there, but any other sweetener will do just fine, too!
Give your puree a taste and see if it needs anything, first 🙂