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I have a slight addiction to all things sugary. Gummy bears, sour straws, and Twizzlers are almost always within my reach. But when I’m feeling particularly self-conscious about my sugar intake, my favorite (guilt-free) way to satisfy my sweet tooth is to whip up some homemade Popsicles — which you definitely do not need to be a chef (or even an amateur cook) to prepare. My love for making my own Popsicles started as a kid, when my mom and I would make dupes of my favorite kind — the classic red-white-and-blue firecracker — using real fruit juice. Eventually, I graduated to trying my hand at making other ice pops — including pureed vegetable, ice cream, and smoothie-based pops, and then boozy ones (when the law allowed). Many think of them as a strictly warm-weather treat, but I snack on them year-round (including on weekend mornings, when my favorite post-wake-up ritual is grabbing a pop from my freezer and getting back into bed to eat it). Prototype Mold
In my years of Popsicle making, I’ve learned the one thing more important than the ingredients is the type of mold you freeze the stuff in — not only because certain materials can be easier to use than others, but because the style of a Popsicle mold can instantly set the mood when you pull them out of the freezer. My growing collection includes silicone, stainless steel, and plastic molds (I always look for ones that come with sticks, so there’s one less thing to buy). But I’ve got my eye on a lot more, especially now that peak Popsicle season is about to kick off. Below, a list of molds I own — and more I want to own — to make Popsicles for practically any occasion (including lounging in bed on weekend mornings).
Medical Injection Moulding This silicone mold is perfect for a first-time maker — it’s easy to use, clean, and works well with a variety of ingredients. I love it because frozen pops slide out smoothly and in one piece without having to run the mold under warm water. I’ve used it for freezing everything from fruit juice–based pops, to ones I make with veggie purees (when I’m on a serious health kick).