Make refreshing Jell-O Popsicles with just one package of gelatin, sugar, and water for a fun, colorful treat!
I grew up on popsicles made from juice, puréed fruit, and water. I did the same when my children were young. One thing I don’t remember seeing was this Jell-O popsicle recipe. I’ve made many recipes with Jell-O over the years, but never this one before. And, while my kids may no longer be little or even living nearby, I couldn’t help but try it out for myself. Besides, my decades-old Tupperware popsicle molds haven’t been used much lately.
I chose my favorite mango flavor when I made these popsicles. Now, I rarely eat Jell-O, let alone use regular sugar. But, for the sake of telling you about these treats, I decided to give it a try. Besides, there are always plenty of neighbors around to share them with. Everyone who tried them agreed that this would be a hit with the kids (and grandkids). You can also use sugar-free gelatin and your favorite sugar substitute when making these popsicles.
While it may seem odd to think about making popsicles in the winter, there’s no wrong time to enjoy a frosty treat. Besides, here in Florida, where I live, other than a few chilly days here and there, it feels like summer year-round. Since I enjoy hot chocolate in 90°F weather, there’s no reason Northerners shouldn’t enjoy a popsicle when the temperature dips into negative numbers.
One reason Jell-O is great for popsicles is that you have so many flavors to choose from. You can use this recipe with any gelatin brand or flavor. They are bursting with whatever fun, fruity flavor you prefer. Another benefit of using Jell-O for popsicles is that it reduces dripping, so you have less of a mess to clean up. I’m not exactly sure what it is about Jell-O that reduces dripping, but knowing how long it can take a youngster to devour a popsicle, this can be quite a benefit for moms of young children.
How to make Jell-O popsicles special
While this Jell-O popsicles recipe is already great, you can always find ways to make it even more special. Take your popsicles to the next level by adding chopped fruit. You can use the same fruit as the gelatin flavor or switch things up by combining different fruits and gelatins. I think chopped peaches or mangos would go great in strawberry Jell-O popsicles.
Another way to make these popsicles special is to layer various gelatin flavors and colors. To do so, pick complementary flavors, such as orange and cherry or strawberry and mango, and fill your molds halfway with one flavor. Place the molds in the freezer to let the gelatin set slightly, and then fill the molds the remainder of the way with the other flavor. You can even get creative around the holidays and use red and green gelatin for Christmas, red and pink for Valentine’s Day, and red and blue for July 4th.
How do I store leftovers?
After making this Jell-O popsicles recipe, store the frozen treats in the freezer for up to 2 months. I keep my popsicles in their individual molds, but if you need to remove them from the mold, store them in a freezer bag or container, using parchment paper to keep them separate so they don’t stick together. If the popsicles don’t remove easily from the molds, run them under warm water for a few seconds and try again. That usually loosens them from the mold. It’s also how I get frozen soup out of containers when I forget to take it out to defrost.
Serving suggestions
While you probably don’t need any serving suggestions for this Jell-O popsicles recipe, I want to share some meals I think end perfectly with an icy pop. First up is lunchtime, when a popsicle is ideal after a meal of 4-Cheese Baked Mac And Cheese, Hamburger Mac And Cheese Casserole, or even some delicious Mac And Cheese Bites. The popsicles are equally good to cool you down after a dinner of slightly spicy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas, this Spicy Chili Recipe, or a bowl of cheesy Buffalo Chicken Soup.
Jell-O Popsicles Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups water divided
- 1 package flavored gelatin dessert mix, any flavor (3 ounces)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Popsicle molds with sticks included
Instructions
- In a small pot, bring 1 cup of water to a rolling boil.
- In a large bowl, combine the flavored gelatin dessert mix, granulated sugar, and boiling water. Stir for about 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and the powder is completely dissolved.
- Stir in 1 cup of cold water to lower the temperature and prepare for freezing.
- Pour the mixture into popsicle molds, leaving a small gap at the top to allow for expansion.
- Place the molds in the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight until completely firm. When you're ready to serve, run the molds under warm water for a few seconds to loosen the popsicles, then carefully remove.
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