Strawberry Shortcake Dream Pops

Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles offer a delightful twist on a beloved classic, transforming the timeless dessert into an irresistible frozen treat. Imagine a creamy, luscious interior bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, enveloped by a perfectly crumb-coated exterior that delivers a satisfying crunch with every bite. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s a nostalgic journey back to simpler times, reminiscent of the cherished Good Humor bars that defined childhood summers.

This popsicle recipe captures all the magic of that iconic ice cream truck treat, now reimagined for your home kitchen. It’s a classic that transcends generations, adored by both kids and adults alike. Prepare to make these homemade strawberry shortcake bars your go-to recipe for the perfect, refreshing indulgence. Beyond this delightful recipe, you can also explore our collection of easy strawberry desserts for more inspiration. For another fun dessert featuring similar flavors, our Strawberry Crunch Cake is an absolute must-try!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Popsicle Recipe

There are countless reasons why this Strawberry Shortcake Popsicle recipe will quickly become a cherished favorite in your household. Firstly, its simplicity is unmatched. Crafting these frozen delights at home is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet-quality treat without the hefty price tag of store-bought alternatives. This recipe truly offers significant savings without compromising on taste or quality.

The secret to its incredible flavor lies in the use of fresh, vibrant strawberry puree. Unlike many commercial products that rely on artificial flavorings, our recipe champions the bright, authentic taste of real strawberries, blending harmoniously with other wholesome ingredients to create a truly delightful experience. Having made these for years, I can confidently say they far surpass anything you’ll find in the grocery store aisle. The natural sweetness and rich texture of the homemade version are simply unparalleled, making every bite a celebration of fresh, fruity goodness.

Furthermore, these popsicles are incredibly versatile. You can easily adapt them to suit various dietary preferences or simply experiment with different flavor profiles, ensuring everyone in the family can enjoy a personalized treat. They are the perfect cooling indulgence for warm summer days, family gatherings, or just a simple afternoon snack. The satisfaction of knowing you’ve created such a delicious and wholesome dessert from scratch adds an extra layer of enjoyment that makes this recipe truly special.

Essential Ingredients for Your Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles

Creating these magical Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles requires just a few key ingredients, thoughtfully selected to deliver both incredible flavor and texture. We’ll break down what you need for both the creamy popsicle base and the signature crunchy topping.

For the Creamy Popsicles:

• Fresh Strawberries: The star of our show! It’s crucial to use ripe, juicy fresh strawberries for the most authentic and vibrant flavor. Ensure they are thoroughly cleaned, hulled, and diced before blending to create a smooth, rich puree. The natural sweetness of fresh berries is what truly makes these popsicles shine.
• Whole Plain Greek Yogurt: This ingredient is key for achieving that luxurious, creamy texture and a delightful hint of tang that balances the sweetness of the strawberries. Whole milk Greek yogurt provides a richer mouthfeel and more body to your popsicles, making them wonderfully satisfying.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of pure vanilla extract elevates all the other flavors, adding a subtle warmth and depth that complements the bright strawberries beautifully. Using pure extract, rather than imitation, makes a noticeable difference in the overall taste profile.
• Granulated Sugar (Optional): While ripe strawberries often provide ample sweetness, you might find a little extra sugar enhances the flavor, especially if your berries aren’t at their peak sweetness. We recommend tasting your strawberry and yogurt mixture before adding sugar, and then adjusting to your preference.

For the Iconic Crunch Topping:

• Freeze-Dried Strawberries: This is a non-negotiable ingredient for achieving the authentic crunch and intense strawberry flavor of the classic shortcake bar. Freeze-dried strawberries retain their vibrant color and concentrated taste, and when crushed, they provide the perfect crisp texture that fresh strawberries simply cannot replicate in a coating.
• Vanilla Wafers: These delicate, buttery cookies form the bulk of our delightful crunch topping. Their mild vanilla flavor and crumbly texture create the ideal base when pulsed into fine crumbs. They absorb the melted butter beautifully, ensuring a cohesive and delicious coating.
• Unsalted Butter (Melted): Melted butter acts as the binding agent for our crunch topping, holding the cookie and freeze-dried strawberry crumbs together. It also adds a rich, buttery flavor that rounds out the shortcake experience. Ensure it’s fully melted before combining.

You can find the complete ingredients list with precise measurements in the detailed recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Creative Variations & Delicious Additions

One of the joys of homemade treats is the freedom to customize them to your exact liking. This Strawberry Shortcake Popsicle recipe is incredibly adaptable, allowing you to experiment with flavors and textures. Here are some fantastic variations and additions you might consider:

• Ice Cream Base: While our recipe uses Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier popsicle, you can easily incorporate ice cream for an even richer, more decadent treat. Using strawberry ice cream in place of the yogurt will amplify the berry flavor, making the popsicles intensely fruity. Alternatively, vanilla ice cream offers a classic creamy backdrop, allowing the strawberry crunch to truly stand out. If using ice cream directly in the molds, you might need to slightly soften it or thin it out with a splash of heavy cream or nonfat milk to ensure it’s pourable into your molds.
• Sweetness Adjustment: The natural sweetness of strawberries can vary greatly. If your fresh berries aren’t as sweet as you’d like, feel free to add more sugar to the popsicle mixture. Start with ¼ to ½ cup of granulated sugar and gradually add a few tablespoons at a time, tasting as you go until you reach your desired sweetness level. This allows for perfect customization based on your berries and personal preference.
• Honey as a Sweetener: For a more natural and nuanced sweetness, honey can be a wonderful substitute for granulated sugar in the popsicle base. Its distinct flavor pairs beautifully with strawberries and yogurt. Start with a smaller amount than sugar, as honey is generally sweeter, and adjust to taste.
• Coconut Oil for Butter: If you’re looking for a dairy-free option or simply prefer the taste, melted coconut oil can be substituted for the unsalted butter in the crunch topping. It provides a similar binding quality and imparts a subtle coconut flavor that can be a delightful complement to the strawberries.
• Frozen Strawberries: Don’t fret if fresh berries aren’t in season or readily available. High-quality frozen strawberries work perfectly for the popsicle base. Simply thaw them completely before blending. You may need to drain off some of the excess liquid that accumulates during thawing to maintain the desired consistency of your popsicle mixture.
• Cookie Alternatives for Crunch: While vanilla wafers are traditional, consider experimenting with other cookies for your crunch topping. Golden Oreo Cookies, when crushed, offer a richer, more buttery, and slightly more complex vanilla flavor. Shortbread cookies provide a classic, crisp, and buttery crumb. Any butter-type cookie that crumbles well can be a delicious alternative, allowing you to fine-tune the crunch to your liking.
• Different Fruit Crunch: Broaden your flavor horizons by trying different freeze-dried fruits in the crunch topping. Freeze-dried blueberries or raspberries can create entirely new and equally delicious popsicle variations. Imagine a Blueberry Shortcake Popsicle with a vibrant blue crunch, or a tangy Raspberry Shortcake Popsicle. Making an assortment of flavors is a fantastic idea for parties or when you simply can’t decide!
• White Chocolate Drizzle: For an extra touch of indulgence and visual appeal, consider drizzling melted white chocolate over your coated popsicles before the final freeze. The white chocolate hardens to create a delicate shell, adding another layer of sweetness and a beautiful contrast to the pink crunch.
• Non-Dairy Dessert: To make these homemade strawberry shortcake ice cream bars entirely dairy-free, substitute coconut milk (full-fat canned for best creaminess) for the Greek yogurt in the popsicle base. Ensure it’s well chilled and shaken before blending for optimal texture.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles

Making these delightful Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles is a fun and rewarding process. Follow these easy steps to create your own batch of frozen perfection:

Step 3. Fill Molds and Freeze: Carefully pour the strawberry and yogurt mixture into your popsicle molds. Insert a popsicle stick into the center of each mold. Place the molds in the freezer for at least 4 hours, or ideally, overnight, to ensure the popsicles are completely solid and frozen through. This prevents them from melting too quickly during the coating process.

Step 4. Prepare the Crunch Coating: While the popsicles are freezing, begin making your signature crunch topping. Place the freeze-dried strawberries and vanilla wafers into a food processor. Pulse them until they are processed into fine, uniform crumbs. The freeze-dried strawberries will contribute a vibrant pink color and intense berry flavor to your coating.

Step 5. Add Butter and Combine: Melt the unsalted butter (or coconut oil, if using). Add the melted butter to the food processor with the strawberry and cookie crumbs. Pulse again until the butter is thoroughly incorporated and the mixture is well combined. The crumbs should resemble wet sand and hold together slightly when pressed.

Step 6. Spread the Coating: Once combined, spread the crunch mixture out evenly on a flat plate or a shallow dish. This makes it easy to roll and coat your popsicles evenly.

Step 7. Release and Coat Popsicles: Once your popsicles are fully frozen, run the popsicle molds under warm water for a few seconds to loosen them. Gently remove each popsicle from its mold. It’s helpful to let the popsicles sit for just a minute or two to slightly soften the very outer layer, which helps the crumbs adhere better.

Step 8. Final Freeze and Serve: Immediately dip all sides of each popsicle into the crumb mixture, gently pressing to ensure an even and generous coating. Work quickly to prevent the popsicles from melting. After coating, place the popsicles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and return them to the freezer for another 20-30 minutes. This final freeze ensures the coating sets firmly and the popsicles are perfectly chilled and ready to enjoy! Alternatively, you can store them for later.

Storage Tips for Your Frozen Delights

Proper storage is essential to keep your homemade Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles fresh, delicious, and perfectly crunchy for as long as possible. Once your popsicles have undergone their final freeze and the crumb coating is firm, they are ready for long-term storage.

To store, carefully place the strawberry shortcake ice cream bars in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. A crucial tip is to layer the popsicles with small sheets of parchment paper in between each one. This simple step prevents them from sticking to each other, making it much easier to grab a single treat without damaging the delicate coating.

When stored correctly in a freezer bag or container with parchment paper, these popsicles can maintain their quality and flavor in the freezer for up to 3 months. This makes them an excellent make-ahead dessert, always ready to curb a sweet craving or surprise guests.

Can You Make Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles in Advance?

Absolutely! These Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles are an ideal make-ahead dessert, perfect for busy schedules, parties, or special events. You can prepare the main popsicle bars up to 2 weeks in advance and store them frozen without the crunch coating.

When you’re ready to enjoy them or serve them to guests, simply prepare the crumb coating fresh. Then, follow the coating and final freeze steps outlined in the recipe. Adding the crunch coating closer to the time of enjoyment helps ensure that the crumbs remain delightfully crisp and fresh. This advance preparation strategy saves a significant amount of time on the day of your gathering, allowing you to relax and enjoy the occasion while still impressing everyone with a homemade treat.

Expert Tips for Perfect Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles

Achieving the perfect Strawberry Shortcake Popsicle is easy with a few insider tips:

• No Food Processor? No Problem! If you don’t have a food processor, you can still create a fantastic crunch topping. Simply place the vanilla wafers and freeze-dried strawberries inside a large, sturdy ziplock bag. Seal the bag, pressing out as much air as possible. Then, use the back of a heavy spoon or a rolling pin to pound and crush the ingredients into fine crumbs. It might take a little more effort, but the results will be just as delicious.
• Achieving Your Ideal Pink Hue: The crumb coating naturally takes on a beautiful pink color from the freeze-dried strawberries. However, if you prefer a lighter, less intense pink, you can adjust the process. Instead of blending the crushed strawberries and vanilla wafers together from the start, first crush the vanilla wafers by themselves. Then, gently fold in the crushed freeze-dried strawberries. This method allows you to control how much of the pink color permeates the entire mixture, giving you a more subtle shade if desired.
• Patience is Key: Overnight Freezing: While the recipe states a minimum freezing time of 4 hours, we highly recommend letting your popsicles set overnight. This ensures they are thoroughly and solidly frozen, which is crucial for a few reasons. Firstly, fully frozen popsicles are less likely to melt quickly during the coating process, making them easier to handle. Secondly, a very firm popsicle will have a better, less icy texture when consumed.
• Don’t Waste Leftover Crunch! It’s common to have a little extra crunch topping left over after coating all your popsicles. Don’t let this delicious mixture go to waste! It pairs wonderfully with many other desserts. Sprinkle it over a bowl of vanilla ice cream, layer it into a yogurt parfait for a delightful breakfast or snack, or even use it as a garnish for cupcakes or trifles. Its versatile flavor and texture make it a fantastic topping for almost anything.

More Delectable Strawberry Dessert Ideas

If you’re a fan of strawberry delights, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic recipes:

• Strawberry Jell-O Pie Recipe
• 3-Ingredient Strawberry Icebox Cake Recipe
• Classic Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
• No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake in a Jar

Explore More Homemade Popsicle Recipes

The fun doesn’t stop with strawberries! Dive into a world of refreshing homemade popsicles with these easy and delicious recipes:

• Homemade Blueberry Popsicles
• Refreshing Watermelon Popsicles
• Tangy Homemade Lime Popsicles Recipe
• Creamy Orange Creamsicle Popsicle Recipe
• DIY Dairy Queen Buster Bar Recipe
• Healthy Greek Yogurt Popsicles Recipe

It is so simple to make this nostalgic frozen dessert bar, a treat everyone will absolutely love. Give it a try this summer, and watch it become a new family favorite!

Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles Recipe

These delightful homemade Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles capture the essence of the classic dessert in a refreshing frozen format. With a creamy base and a vibrant, crunchy coating, they’re perfect for any occasion.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Freeze Time: 6 hrs 30 mins

Total Time: 6 hrs 45 mins

Servings: 8 popsicles

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Calories: Approximately 635 kcal per serving

Author: Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

For the Popsicles:

• 1 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, cleaned and diced
• 1/2 cup Whole Plain Greek Yogurt
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar (optional, to taste)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Crunch Topping:

• 2 cups Freeze-Dried Strawberries
• 2 cups Vanilla Wafers
• ¼ cup Unsalted Butter, melted

Instructions

1. Combine all the popsicle ingredients (fresh strawberries, Greek yogurt, sugar if using, and vanilla extract) into a blender and blend until completely smooth. Pour this mixture into popsicle molds and insert popsicle sticks. Freeze for 4-6 hours or until fully frozen; overnight is highly recommended for best results.
2. While the popsicles are freezing, prepare the crunch coating. Place the freeze-dried strawberries and vanilla wafers in a food processor.
3. Pulse on high until the mixture is processed into fine, even crumbs.
4. Add the melted butter to the food processor and pulse again until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture resembles wet sand. Spread this mixture evenly out on a flat plate.
5. When the popsicles are ready, run warm water on the outside of the molds for a few seconds to gently loosen and release them.
6. Allow the popsicles to thaw for about a minute to slightly soften the surface. Then, quickly dip all sides of the popsicles into the crumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure a thorough and even coating. Work efficiently to prevent the popsicles from melting.
7. After coating, place the popsicles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for an additional 20-30 minutes. This helps set the coating firmly.
8. Your Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles are now ready to serve! For longer storage, place them in a freezer bag or airtight container, separated by parchment paper, for up to 3 months.

Recipe Notes

For an extra boost of strawberry flavor, consider using strawberry ice cream as part of your base mixture. If you prefer a more classic shortcake flavor, vanilla ice cream works wonderfully too. Remember to adjust the consistency with a little milk or cream if using ice cream.

Nutrition Facts (Estimated Per Serving)

Calories: 635 kcal

Carbohydrates: 105g

Protein: 5g

Fat: 20g

Saturated Fat: 11g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g

Monounsaturated Fat: 3g

Trans Fat: 1g

Cholesterol: 50mg

Sodium: 182mg

Potassium: 1036mg

Fiber: 8g

Sugar: 48g

Vitamin A: 556IU

Vitamin C: 732mg

Calcium: 157mg

Iron: 13mg