These homemade kefir popsicles with fresh strawberries are perfect in the summertime for toddlers, teething babies, and anyone else really. I love making healthy dessert recipes at the homestead using ingredients like kefir, with honey as a natural sweetener. Learn how to make homemade kefir popsicles with fresh strawberries to enjoy during the hot days of summer.
Kefir popsicles are easy to make and a great way to use up your kefir. The added probiotics make this a healthy popsicle recipe that babies, toddlers, and adults alike will all enjoy. Bring these to your summer BBQs or out to the garden during a hot day for a delicious and healthy snack. These were so good when I made them last week that my husband’s hand got in the photo as he couldn’t wait even a few more minutes to have another.
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IT’S STRAWBERRY SEASON!
Last weekend we took a trip to the strawberry patch. We were so excited to find out they opened early this year because of all the nice weather we’ve been having.
We picked a whopping 9 pounds of strawberries. I think that’s a record!
My husband John was ferociously grabbing strawberries left and right while I was taking one here and there. Meanwhile I kept telling my daughter Allison that yes, while we do love to eat strawberries, we’re supposed to put them in the basket and eat them when we get home!
Hand picked strawberries have to be used up quickly. I mean, I’ve picked raspberries before and those are even worse, but strawberries aren’t great either. If the stems are off, they only last 2-3 days before getting mushy and bad (assuming they’re organic). Raspberries only last about a day. I put those in the ice cream maker for homemade ice cream as soon as we pick them!
So, I filmed this recipe and photographed it for the blog right away after getting home from the strawberry patch. Some things just demand immediate attention! And I’m not complaining about having homemade popsicles on hand!
And for the rest of the strawberries, John and I stayed up until 1am that night making jam. Boy, was that fun. I guess some people just have a weird sense of what “fun” is, haha! 🙂
CAN HOMEMADE POPSICLES REALLY BE HEALTHY?
The answer is, of course! In this recipe we use no processed sugar, and there are added health benefits with the kefir, yogurt, honey, and fruit. You do not have to feel guilty about these popsicles. And, you’re getting added probiotics from the kefir, which is also very good for you!
WHY USE KEFIR?
Homemade milk kefir is a healthy, probiotic drink that is made by combining kefir grains with regular milk. I prefer to use raw milk because we have a raw milk dairy who delivers down the street from us. But you can even use goat’s milk, or lightly pasteurized store-bought milk.
Kefir grains are little balls of cultures and good bacteria that feed off the lactose in the milk. Once they eat all the lactose in your milk, they become hungry and need to be fed again. You don’t actually eat the kefir grains; you just use them in milk to activate the good cultures. Then you strain them and – voila! – you have kefir.
Kefir is slightly thicker than regular milk, but not as thick as yogurt. Milk kefir will have a slightly sour taste, similar to Greek yogurt (not sour like the milk has gone bad). The thickness and taste of kefir make homemade popsicles creamy and rich.
Anytime I can use my kefir, I do. We drink kefir smoothies every morning at our house, and my daughter loves them! So, it was no surprise that she loved these popsicles too. And it makes me happy as a mom to see her eating so many good probiotics from the kefir.
OTHER HEALTHY DESSERTS FROM THE HOMESTEAD
Sourdough Einkorn Peach Cobbler
Einkorn Cookies with Sourdough Discard
Einkorn Double Chocolate Brownies
Pumpkin Cookies with Sourdough Discard
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INGREDIENTS FOR STRAWBERRY CREAM KEFIR POPSICLES
(Makes about 10 popsicles)
1 1/2 cups whole fresh strawberries (you can also use any berries of choice)
1 cup kefir (or milk)
3/4 cup whole milk yogurt
1/8 cup heavy cream
Half a banana
1/2 lemon juice
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp honey (note: omit the honey if serving to a baby under 1 year old)
Equipment Needed
A smoothie maker or blender. I like the Nutribullet for this.
Popsicle Sticks
Knife, for cutting the strawberry stems.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY CREAM KEFIR POPSICLES
Strain the kefir if it’s not already strained. Learn how to make homemade kefir here.
Wash strawberries and remove the stems.
Combine all the ingredients in a blender or smoothie maker. I like the Nutribullet for this.
Pour the mixture into popsicle molds.
Add the popsicle sticks to the middle of the mold, pressing all the way down. Now if you’re using the same molds as I am, you can place the top over all the popsicles first, and then add the sticks. This helps keep them correctly in the center of the popsicle mold.
Freeze for at least 4-6 hours, remove from the mold, and enjoy! For these popsicle molds, you have to run them under hot water for about 1 minute until they easily come out of the mold.
FAQ
How do you make homemade popsicles that aren’t icy?
Sometimes popsicles can get icy instead of smooth to the taste. Generally this is caused by too much liquid ingredient and not enough smooth, thick ingredient. Adding yogurt or kefir to your popsicles helps thicken the texture, making it smooth and non-icy.
How to make kefir at home?
Make kefir at home by simply placing kefir grains in high quality milk in a jar and letting sit for about 24 hours. The grains will eat away at the lactose in the milk, and the good bacteria will spread, making it a healthy probiotic milk drink. You want to loosely cover the jar with a lid but not seal it, so that the fermenting air can escape out of the jar. Store the kefir on your countertop at room temperature for 1-2 days, or the fridge for longer storage.
What can I put in a healthy homemade popsicle for toddlers or teething babies?
Homemade popsicles are great for toddlers or teething babies. Simply add yogurt, kefir, fruit, and some honey for a basic healthy and naturally sweetened treat (omit the honey if serving to a baby under 1 year old). You could even sneak some homemade bone broth or fermented cod liver oil in these popsicles. The possibilites are endless. Kids will eat just about anything in popsicle form 🙂
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BEST HOMEMADE KEFIR POPSICLES
These homemade kefir popsicles with fresh strawberries are creamy, healthy, and delicious. With healthy ingredients, they make a great snack for toddlers and kids in the summertime.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups strawberries or fruit of choice
- 1 cup kefir (you can also use milk)
- 3/4 cup whole milk yogurt
- 1/8 cup heavy cream
- Half a banana
- 1/2 lemon juice
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp honey (note: omit the honey if serving to a baby under 1 year old)
Instructions
- Strain the kefir if it's not already strained. Learn how to make homemade kefir here.
- Wash strawberries and remove the stems.
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender or smoothie maker. I like the Nutribullet for this.
- Pour the mixture into popsicle molds.
- Add the popsicle sticks to the middle of the mold, pressing all the way down. Now if you're using the same molds as I am, you can place the top over all the popsicles first, and then add the sticks. This helps keep them correctly in the center of the popsicle mold.
- Freeze for at least 4-6 hours, remove from the mold, and enjoy! For these popsicle molds, you have to run them under hot water for about 1 minute until they easily come out of the mold.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 52Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 48mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 2g
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