Homemade Fudge Pops
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One of my goals for this summer, along with jumping on the canning bandwagon, was to start making homemade popsicles and other assorted frozen treats. I love homemade ice cream, but sometimes there is nothing better on a sweltering, 90-degree summer day than an ice-cold popsicle. Any time I get to enjoy a popsicle as an adult, it reminds me of summer days spent playing with my sister and our cousins at my grandma’s house. The neighborhood ice cream truck was a fixture there, and when we heard those bells, we were like Pavlov’s dogs. We ran for money and then ran to the truck. The decision about which frozen treat to feast on was newly agonizing each time the truck showed up. The red, white, and blue rocket? The creamsicle? The ice cream sandwich? A fudgsicle? The Drumstick? It’s a good thing the ice cream truck showed up frequently – it gave us ample opportunity to sample a variety of treats. I still get excited when I hear the jingle of an ice cream truck during the summer, but this year I’m looking forward to creating my own homemade versions – delicious, and I’ll know every single ingredient that’s in them!
When my Chief Culinary Consultant and I got down to Florida a couple of weeks ago, we quickly found out that his dad had been enjoying fudge pops. There was a constant stream of the health-food variety in the freezer. I had packed up a stack of cookbooks that I’d been meaning to read, figuring that I could go through them leisurely while we were relaxing. I got to On a Stick! (which is awesome – I think I bookmarked at least 60% of the book!) and discovered a recipe for homemade fudge pops. Score! Perfect timing. I set out to get the popsicle molds I had been meaning to buy for the summer and whipped these bad boys up.
They couldn’t have been easier to make and tasted incredible. While I’ve found most store-bought versions to taste like little more than chocolate-flavored ice milk, these are the polar opposite. They are rich, decadent, and bursting with chocolate flavor. You actually feel like you’re eating frozen fudge. That is the purpose of a fudge pop, right?! The recipe calls for semisweet chocolate, but you could definitely use milk or dark, based on your personal tastes.
Since the diet fudge pops in the freezer boasted that they were only 100 calories, I was curious about the homemade ones and calculated how many calories they contained. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they came in at 157 calories. Yes, that’s a bit more, but it’s not outrageous and totally worth it to me to eat something without any fake ingredients. Whole, natural ingredients always trump chemicals for me. These are definitely going to be a summer staple in my freezer!
What was your favorite ice cream truck treat?
Homemade Fudge Pops
Yield: 8 fudge pops
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips
2/3 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder
2½ cups whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
8 wooden popsicle sticksDirections:
1. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave on 50% power in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.
2. Combine the melted chocolate, sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, add the vanilla and butter, and stir until well combined.
3. Let the mixture cool slightly (it should still be warm but not hot to the touch), and then pour into 8 popsicle molds. Freeze for 30 minutes, and then insert sticks. Freeze completely before serving.
Note: I used the Progressive International Freezer Pop Maker.
(Recipe adapted from On a Stick! by Matt Armendariz)
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You’re ready for summer! These definitely sound good – I’ve found the store bought ones to be a bit lacking as well… they’re too watery! I’m excited to give these a try!
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You just brought a small window of my youth into full technicolor view. Wow. Thanks for the memories
I tried once to use my ‘toy’ money (cuz my mom would not give it up that day) and sadly that didn’t work. Drumsticks were my hands down favorite, and still are to this day.
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I love Matt & On a Stick!
And I jumped on the canning bandwagon a few months ago but need to jump on the popsicle making bandwagon, pronto.
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This is my plan for the summer too! I normally just make popsicles by freezing fruit juice but I’m excited to experiment more and this looks like a great start!
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Full-Flavored Life on March 27th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
Same here! I love fruit juice popsicles, can’t wait for summer!!
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Starred this one!
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Wow! What an exciting idea! Now I just need to shop for molds!
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Oooh, looks delicious!
I should try these.
I was always one for cookie sandwiches!
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The fudge pops look fantastic! Thanks for including the calorie information. I tend keep the 100-cal ones in the freezer for a quick chocolate fix. It is very refreshing to know you can make something homemade, with real ingredients, and is reasonable to snack on! I can’t wait to try the recipe!
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Oh wow that looks yummy. I want one plz
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Wow…these look incredible. I have a box of those chemical ones in my freezer right now. Michelle, if you keep this up…I’ll never get out of the kitchen lol.
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While the chocolate fudge pop always took my heart, I have a spot for the orange creamcicle as well! Hope to see a recipe for one of those guys, soon!
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Love how easy these are! Such a great treat for summer!
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Chocolate-flavored ice milk indeed – I love when a fudge pop actually tastes like rich freezing cold fudge. Yum!!
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Hi Michelle:
These look like the ones we had when I was young.
Before “Ice Milk” popped it’s head out.
Perfect!
Charlie
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Fudgesicles were always my favorite frozen dessert. I’ve never seen a recipe like this before but I’d really love to try it! Thanks!
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Totally the Nestle Toll House Chipper Sandwich. Vanilla ice cream between two chocolate chip cookies, rolling in mini chips. Pure bliss!
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And, you know what? I was trying to think of ice cream treats that I’d love now, in semi-adulthood, and I realized there are few if any peanut butter ice cream treats. You, oh peanut butter and chocolate queen, must attempt something to fill said void, please
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I absolutely love those molds, thanks for linking to them! Fudge pops were always one of my favorite treats as a kid, but I haven’t had them in forever. It’ll be so much fun to whip up a homemade version once the temperature climbs above 40 again here
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Fudgesicles are my son’s favorite!! Can’t wait to try these.
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We always have homemade popsicles in the freezers — all summer long. I have lost a lot of my plastic pop sticks from my sets and looked at the molds you bought. They got some bad reviews regarding getting the sticks in and pops out. Have you had any trouble?
PS when I was little (and I am way older than you) the ice cream man — Mr. Frosty– had real soft-serve ice cream. Yum!
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Michelle on March 31st, 2012 at 7:59 pm
Hi Barbara, I didn’t have any issues. I just ran the individual pop mold under running water for like 30 seconds, and the fudge pop slid right out.
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OH! MY!!
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Fantastic! I can’t wait to give these a try this summer.
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ohhhhh my gosh those look amazing. I loovve fudge bars and I love making things from scratch!!
These go well with marathon training, right? Right. Sold.
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Do you think they would work with 2% milk?
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Michelle on March 31st, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Yes, I think that would be okay.
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I love fudge popsicles…can’t wait to make them. The chocolate chip cookie was one of my favorites too.
Can I use fat free milk?
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Michelle on March 31st, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Hi Elaina, I don’t ever use fat free milk, so I’m not sure well it would thicken up. I’m guessing since cornstarch is used it should be okay, it might just need to cook longer in order to thicken. Let me know how it works! Also, I calculated the difference between whole milk and non-fat and it was only 10 calories per fudge pop
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We’re about to go into Autumn here, and you know what, I don’t care, I’m making these, or getting them made, whichever will be quickest!
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oh fudgicles! They look wonderful, I have to make these, I have to get the molds!
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This post reminded me of how much I love fudge pops! Such a reminder of summer & childhood.. love!
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com/
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These look wonderful! I am going to try choc soy milk to cut the fat and calories down without losing flavor or anything artifical.
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I might have to make these this summer… yum! I also have to order that popsicle mold. Thank you for the link!
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MMMMmmmmmm….Fudge pops are my favorite frozen treat! Can’t wait to try these this summer!
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when I was a kid, back in the 60′s, we had a Mr. Softee truck come around & we would get cones with sprinkles
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I want to make these right away! I’m known to eat an entire box of fudge pops in about one sitting
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We have some similar “pop” making plastic things at home, too, given to us some time back but without instructions so I’ve never tried them, yet. Never thought of making chocolate treats in them though, always figured I’d use juice or lemonade.
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These look incredible! The perfect summer treat for my six-year-old and her friends! And another fun use of our Popsicle molds!
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Yum,I just bought popsicle molds, this may have to be the first recipe I use to break them in! Thanks for sharing!! and the On a Stick Book sounds amazing, I am going to have to look into it!
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These look delicious!!! And quite light too!!!
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Love me some fudge pops! When I was a kid, I remember the ice cream man saying that I was going to turn into a fudge pop! So yes, I do have a problem.
Question: do you think these could be made with 1% or 2% milk instead of whole? Thanks for this recipe!
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Michelle on March 31st, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Hi Sarah, Yes, I think you could use 1% or 2% without a problem.
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Growing up I drooled over the butterscotch pops and fudge pops. It was agonizing trying to decide which one I wanted. But I usually went with the butterscotch. Got to try your recipe. Thank you for sharing.
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These are awesome! Can’t wait to try these out this summer… I agree – nothing better than homemade and KNOWING what is in the food you eat
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My favorite!! These look great and somehow less “guilty” than a lot of other things. Must try! Now if it would just warm up again.
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If it wasn’t so chilly here right now I’d make some of these. Will have to wait for warmer weather but they certainly look delicious.
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Well, seems like my chocolate craving has revved up YET AGAIN, thanks to your site haha… No really, thank you
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Will the recipe still work if I use rice milk or almond milk?
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Michelle on March 31st, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Hi Amber, I think that it should.
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Ooh…fudgesicles are one of my favorite summer treats. Creamsicles and Fat Boys are also pretty awesome. Definitely need to give these a try.
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Alright! I can’t wait to try these. These will be great for my little guys birthday party this summer
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Woah! I’m in love with fudge pops, and I definitely want to try them with bittersweet chocolate. What a fantastic suggestion!
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I would definitely love one of these any time of the year! And only 157 calories?? how awesome! I really want to start making more frozen treats too, they’re better than having to turn on your hot oven and all that jazz. My favorite ice cream truck treat would have to be the red, white, and blue rocket popsicle!
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Love fudge pops. I wonder if you could use Stevia or another sugar substitute.
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Michelle on March 31st, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Hi Susan, I think you could use a substitute without a problem.
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Oh my. I haven’t had a fudgesicle since childhood due to sensitivity to certain foods and chemicals, so I don’t buy them or ice cream. I eat homemade ice cream all year long. I’ll be making these very soon. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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I seriously cannot wait to make these. Adding those popsicle moulds to my list!!
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Awesome! There no other words that come to mind but awesome!!!
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Love these!!! I’ve been wanting to try making frozen treats for my boys..this would be perfect!
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oh wow, the ice cream truck brings back so many hilarious and wonderful memories. my younger brother and i would be playing out in the front yard and as soon as we heard the familiar tones of the truck about to come around the corner we would BURST into the house shrieking “mommy! mommy! the ice cream man! the ice cream man!” as we dove for the quarter stash that was kept under dad’s desk. my brother ALWAYS got the “bomb pop” – the red, white and blue popsicle shaped like a missile rocket, haha. i liked to change it up – but i remember fudge pops being a frequent choice. thanks for the recipe – i can’t wait to make these today!
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Thanks for the great fudgesicle recipe. My favorite of all time is a coconut bar. Sort of the consistency of a fudgesicle but with coconut milk and coconut and I can’t guess what the other ingredients are. They are smooth creamy and with the best coconut flavor ever.
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this is super tempting. thank you for the recipe!!
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I made these last night and we are enjoying them right now. They are so tasty on this 85 degree day! They have the right amount of chocolate, sweetness, and creaminess. Thanks for the recipe.
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i was just wondering what could be used instead of cornstarch..would love to try these but no cornstarch
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Michelle on May 26th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Hi Eva-May, You could substitute a few different things. This website is a great resource for how to go about making the changes. I’m not sure what you have on hand, so I would check it out and go from there: http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/substitute-cornstarch-for-baking.html
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Danielle B on June 7th, 2012 at 6:14 am
I only use arrowroot powder in my home. It’s a lot healthier, no talc in it.
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Made these the other day and they were wonderful. I love how rich they taste, better than the store-bought ones, and how much better they are for you!
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I have a daughter with a milk allergy, so I’m wondering if these can be made with almond milk??
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Michelle on June 10th, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Yes, definitely! Enjoy!
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I finally got around to making these and they were great! I used 2% milk instead of whole milk and I’m wondering if whole milk would be better (of course it would be!). LOL. They were very easy to make. My boyfriend’s 5-year-old daughter loved them too and asked if we could make them together next time. For anyone looking for good fudge pop holders, these worked well for me (although they are quite large). Thanks for the great recipe!
http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Groovy-Ice-Molds-Yellow/dp/B000G32H3Y/ref=cm_cr-mr-title
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thanks so much for posting this
I’m so excited to try it out.
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Making the 3rd batch of these THIS WEEK! We are totally nuts over them. The texture and chocolate flavor is spot on. I even forgot the butter and vanilla in one batch and they were still great. THANK YOU! My babies would say the same, but our laundry would not. Holly mess chocolate faces!
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KELL on July 4th, 2012 at 8:13 am
mine are not coming out of the mold. froze them over night and the sticks pulled right out after a few minutes on the counter. HELP!!
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Michelle on July 4th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Hi Kell, I’m not sure what type of popsicle mold you’re using, but if the stick pulled straight out, the popsicles were either too frozen when the sticks were inserted, the popsicles weren’t frozen long enough, or you pulled on them really hard. Usually you just need to run the plastic mold(s) under some water for a minute or two, then gently slide them out of the mold.
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Any idea how these would work with 2% milk? It is all I keep in the house and I was wondering if I really needed to grab some whole milk the next time I am at the store or if I could make them with what I’ve got on hand! Thanks!
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Hey, I just saw your question about 2% milk and thought I’d respond since I had the exact same question awhile back. I have made these with 2% milk and with whole milk and there wasn’t much of a difference. There was maybe less of a creamy taste with 2%. The ultimate taste-tester (and the one who insists I make these all the time), my boyfriend’s 5-year-old daughter, doesn’t detect any difference when I use 2% vs. whole milk.
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Jennifer on July 10th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Thanks! My taste testers are 5, 4 and 21 months – I am sure they will not see any difference! I will, hopefully, be making these tomorrow:)
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Michelle on July 24th, 2012 at 11:52 am
Thanks Sarah! That was going to be my response!
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I just made this with whole milk and it is totally amazing!~ It tasted like you where eating a bar of rich chocolate……..so glad I made it~!
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Thanks so much for this! I have grandkids now, and I love it so much I already bought the molds! Fudge pop making…my kitchen…all welcome.
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Wow. I had actually been thinking about fudge pops and was wondering if there was an easy recipe. You must have read my mind!! I am so going to make these this summer. I am an absolute chocoholic and with the 100+ temp outside, these will hit the spot! You rock! Thanks!!
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