Fudge Popsicles

This is the quintessential summer fun treat. Fudge popsicles are unbeatable when homemade. These are creamy, supremely chocolatey, and the perfect way to cool off. (Courtesy of Amy Dong)

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Why This Recipe Stands Out

Here’s why this is our favorite ice cream recipe:

• Seriously Chocolatey: Every cool bite of this fudge popsicle satisfies the chocolate lover in us!
• Ideal Size: It’s a well-portioned and contained way of getting just enough of a chocolate fix without guilt—perfect for those of us who have eaten too many of these Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies.
• Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients like our Oreo Blizzards recipe.
• Make Ahead: You can make these popsicles ahead of time, so they’re ready whenever you need a deeply chocolatey, fantastically creamy frozen treat!

Key Recipe Ingredients

• Chocolate Chips—We use semi-sweet chocolate chips for a rich, chocolatey flavor.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder—A few tablespoons of natural unsweetened cocoa powder add a deep, intense chocolate flavor to the popsicles.
• Whole Milk—Whole milk is the base of our popsicles, providing a creamy, lusciously smooth texture.
• Vanilla Extract—A teaspoon of pure vanilla extract enhances the chocolate flavor and adds a sweet, floral note.
• Butter—We use a tablespoon of butter to add a hint of creaminess to the popsicles.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:

• Dark Chocolate: If you prefer a richer, more intense chocolate flavor, substitute the semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips.
• Liqueur: If you want to make these popsicles a little more grown-up, try adding a splash of your favorite liqueur, such as Kahlua or Baileys, for a frozen boozy treat.
• Nuts: Roll your fudge popsicles in chopped nuts or sprinkle them with colorful candy pieces after dipping them in chocolate!

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

• Place chocolate chips in a bowl and melt in the microwave.
• In a saucepan, combine melted chocolate, sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and milk. Stir over medium heat until thickened.
• Remove from heat. Add vanilla extract and butter. Let it cool slightly and stir.
• Pour into popsicle molds and freeze completely before serving.

How to Prep Ahead

Take a look at our best prep-ahead tip for this recipe:

• Make Them in Advance: You can also make these fudge popsicles well in advance. Once they’re frozen, you can store them in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. This makes them a great make-ahead dessert for parties or hot summer days.

(Courtesy of Amy Dong)

Fudge Popsicles

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins Cook Time: 10 minutes mins Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Serves 8

• 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2/3 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, natural unsweetened
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon butter

Place chocolate chips in a small glass bowl and microwave on 50 percent power for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until chocolate is smoothly melted.

In a medium saucepan, combine the melted chocolate, sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and milk. Stir over medium heat until mixture thickens, 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add vanilla extract and butter, stirring to incorporate.

Let mixture cool just until it is warm (not hot) and stir again. Pour into 6 large popsicle molds (or 8 smaller molds.)

Freeze completely and serve.

Notes

• To avoid lumps in your fudge popsicle mixture, make sure to thoroughly whisk together the dry ingredients (sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder) before adding the milk.
• When heating the mixture on the stove, stir constantly to prevent it from sticking to the pan and burning. This will also help the ingredients to combine evenly and thicken properly.
• Allow the mixture to cool until it is just warm, not hot, before pouring it into the popsicle molds. This helps to prevent the formation of ice crystals, giving your popsicles a smoother texture.
• If you don’t have popsicle molds, you can use small paper cups and wooden popsicle sticks. After pouring the mixture into the cups, cover them with aluminum foil and insert the sticks through the foil.
• This recipe can easily be doubled to make more popsicles. They can be stored in the freezer for up to two weeks, so why not make a big batch?

Nutrition (per serving)