The sweet-tart pairing of strawberries and rhubarb makes these creamy, dreamy creamsicles the ultimate summer delight. With the added richness of coconut milk and a swirl of natural honey, they offer a delicious balance of tang and sweetness in every frozen bite. These creamsicles are easy to make with just a few wholesome ingredients, making them the perfect no-guilt treat for warm afternoons. Whether you’re looking to cool down after a day in the sun or serve up a beautiful snack for your kids, these pops hit every mark dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and loaded with seasonal flavor.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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2 cups fresh or frozen rhubarb, chopped
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1½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
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¼ cup water
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3–4 tablespoons honey (adjust to taste)
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1½ cups full-fat coconut milk (or plain whole yogurt)
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions:
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In a medium saucepan, combine rhubarb, strawberries, and water.
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Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook until the rhubarb is soft and the strawberries have broken down about 10–12 minutes.
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Remove from heat and stir in the honey. Let it cool slightly.
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Transfer the mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender to blend until smooth.
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In a bowl, whisk together the coconut milk and vanilla extract.
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To assemble: alternate spoonfuls of the fruit mixture and the coconut milk mixture into popsicle molds. Use a skewer or butter knife to gently swirl the layers together for a marbled effect.
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Insert sticks and freeze for at least 6 hours or until fully frozen.
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To release, run warm water over the outside of the molds for a few seconds.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes (includes freezing time)
Kcal: 130 kcal | Servings: 6 creamsicles
Embracing Summer with Strawberry Rhubarb Creamsicles
As the days get longer and the air gets warmer, there’s something incredibly nostalgic and comforting about reaching for a cold treat. While ice cream and store-bought popsicles have their place, there’s nothing quite like creating your own frozen delights at home especially when they’re packed with seasonal fruit and natural ingredients. Enter Strawberry Rhubarb Creamsicles a refreshing, creamy, tangy-sweet treat that not only cools you down but also nourishes your body from the inside out.
These creamsicles are a celebration of two seasonal stars strawberries and rhubarb blended beautifully with a creamy coconut base and just the right touch of honey for sweetness. They’re free from refined sugar, gluten, and dairy, making them suitable for a wide variety of dietary preferences, and they can be a fun project for the whole family to enjoy.
Why Strawberry and Rhubarb Are a Classic Pair
The strawberry-rhubarb combination is one of the most beloved pairings in traditional and modern cuisine alike. What makes them so iconic together?
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Strawberries offer natural sweetness, bright red color, and juicy texture. They’re high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber.
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Rhubarb, on the other hand, brings a bold tartness that balances the sweetness of strawberries. It’s rich in vitamin K, calcium, and polyphenols that support heart and bone health.
When cooked together, they harmonize into a jammy, flavorful blend that’s versatile for everything from pies to sauces and in this case, frozen pops.
A Healthier Approach to Frozen Treats
Traditional ice cream bars or supermarket popsicles are often loaded with artificial colors, high-fructose corn syrup, and dairy-based creams that may not suit everyone’s diet. These Strawberry Rhubarb Creamsicles take a different approach by using whole-food ingredients and natural sweeteners to create a treat that’s just as satisfying but far more nourishing.
Instead of cream, these pops rely on full-fat coconut milk or plain whole yogurt for creaminess. Both provide healthy fats that help keep you feeling full and satisfied, and they also support nutrient absorption especially of fat-soluble vitamins in fruits like strawberries.
Honey, used here as a natural sweetener, is rich in antioxidants and has a lower glycemic index than refined sugar. This means it won’t spike your blood sugar levels the same way processed sugar does, making it a smarter option for both adults and kids.
Kid-Friendly and Allergy-Aware
One of the most beautiful aspects of this recipe is how family-friendly and allergy-conscious it is. Many parents today are navigating food allergies or simply looking to limit artificial additives in their children’s diets. This recipe ticks all the boxes:
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Gluten-free
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Dairy-free (if using coconut milk)
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Refined sugar-free
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Egg-free
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Nut-free (unless you choose to swirl in something nut-based)
That makes these creamsicles perfect for school-safe snacks, after-play treats, or backyard BBQs where multiple dietary needs need to be met.
Better yet, the process of making them is simple and fun. Kids can help swirl the layers into molds, sneak tastes of the fruit puree, and eagerly count down the hours until the pops are frozen. It’s a teaching opportunity disguised as dessert giving them early exposure to seasonal eating, basic cooking skills, and even kitchen science (how liquids freeze into solids!).
Seasonal Eating: A Win for Taste and Nutrition
Strawberries and rhubarb are some of the earliest fruits available at farmers markets and in backyard gardens in late spring and early summer. Eating with the seasons means your produce is:
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More flavorful (because it’s harvested at peak ripeness)
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More nutritious (vitamins degrade in long storage)
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More affordable (less transport and processing)
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More environmentally friendly (lower carbon footprint)
These creamsicles are a perfect way to use up extra berries and rhubarb stalks from your garden or CSA box before they spoil. You can even freeze a batch of the fruit mixture to make creamsicles later in the summer, keeping that early-season flavor going well into August.
A Visual Treat with a Swirled Surprise
One of the standout features of these creamsicles is how visually appealing they are. The alternating layers of bright strawberry-rhubarb puree and rich coconut cream create a swirling effect that looks like something from a gourmet dessert bar. Yet, it’s easily achieved in a home kitchen with nothing more than a spoon or skewer.
This makes the creamsicles not only taste delicious but also look Instagram-worthy. They’re ideal for blog photos, summer party dessert tables, or simply delighting your kids with a treat that feels special. Presentation goes a long way in how we enjoy food, and these are a feast for the eyes and the palate.
Versatility and Customization
While the classic strawberry-rhubarb combo is hard to beat, this recipe leaves plenty of room for creativity:
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Swap honey with maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
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Add a tablespoon of chia seeds to the fruit puree for added texture and omega-3s.
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Use Greek yogurt for more protein and a slight tang.
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Blend in banana for natural sweetness and a smoother texture.
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Drop in a few whole berries or pieces of rhubarb for texture contrast.
You can also experiment with different molds from traditional popsicle shapes to silicone molds in fun patterns for younger kids. And if you don’t have molds, even small paper cups and wooden sticks will do the trick.
Storage and Serving Tips
Once frozen, these creamsicles can last in the freezer for up to 2 months, though they’re unlikely to be around that long! For easy release, briefly run the mold under warm water to loosen the pops.
They’re best served immediately after unmolding to preserve their creamy texture, especially on hot days. You can also store them individually wrapped in parchment paper inside a freezer-safe container for easy grab-and-go treats.
Conclusion:
Strawberry Rhubarb Creamsicles are more than just a frozen treat they’re a celebration of the season, a healthier option for families, and a fun way to bring real food into your everyday moments. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a snack that’s not only indulgent and refreshing but also nutrient-rich and allergy-friendly.
Whether you’re looking to cool off on a sunny afternoon, stock your freezer with healthy options for the kids, or impress guests with a colorful summer dessert, these creamsicles check every box. They’re proof that good food doesn’t have to be complicated and that sometimes, the simplest recipes are the ones we come back to year after year.