We Tested Popsicle Molds To Find the Best Ones for Sweet Summer Treats
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/alr-popsicle-molds-allstars-june-24-test-group-shot-stacey-freeman-1-bf40e79419ca44fb8714f2c05def2efe.jpeg)
The flavor possibilities are endless.
Allrecipes / Stacey Freeman
If you want to beat the heat with a delicious treat, popsicles are a solid bet. And because homemade desserts are always better than store-bought, you can have the best of both worlds by creating your own popsicles. Using popsicle molds allows you to control the ingredients and flavors that go into your popsicles. You could make a popsicle with fresh watermelon and a hint of mint for a refreshing taste, or go old-school and recreate the classic and nostalgic fudgy pop. We researched various styles of popsicle molds on the market, selected several popular models, and sent them over to two of the Allrecipes Allstars—our dedicated team of trusted experts—to test them out at home. Together they’ve discovered the best popsicle molds to enjoy this summer and beyond. About Our TestsAllstars Amanda Scarlati and Stacey Freeman put multiple popsicle molds to the test in their very own kitchens. Each model went through the same methodology, which included making a fruit-based popsicle and a cream-based popsicle, setting them in the freezer overnight each time, and cleaning the molds per the manufacturer’s instructions. While testing, the duo paid close attention to a number of important factors, such as sturdiness and how easy each mold was to fill. Afterward, Amanda and Stacey ranked the popsicle molds based on certain criteria:Design: Does the mold feel like it's made to last? Are the pieces heavy or awkward to hold? Are the handles comfortable to hold? Is there a drip catcher?Performance: Are the molds easy to fill? Were there any spills or leaks? Were the popsicles fully frozen? Did the popsicles stick to the mold?Size and Versatility: Does it fit comfortably in the freezer? Did you feel like it would tip over, or did it seem sturdy? Are there any design features that make it easier to store?Cleanup: How easy was it to clean the molds? Did any pieces require extra effort to clean? Were any of the pieces dishwasher-safe?Our Top Pick: Lékué Stackable Popsicle Molds
Buy at Amazon.com
Buy at Surlatable.com
"Why It’s Great: Easy to fill; sturdy and stackable; vibrant design"Grain of Salt: Only 4 per pack
Our blue ribbon pick is the Lékué Stackable Popsicle Molds. Of the three different molds Stacey tested, she found these to be the easiest to fill, unmold, clean, and store. Wins across the board!Let’s start with Stacey’s first point: ease of filling. Since the open-face molds are shaped like a popsicle, it’s easy to pour ingredients straight into the silicone tray. Slide in the reusable stick (which Stacey also applauded), fill the mold with your ingredients of choice, pop on the plastic cover, and set it in the freezer. “The stacking of the popsicles was so easy,” Stacey says. She reported that they were incredibly sturdy, even when stacked on top of each other. They’re a great option for those who don’t have a ton of freezer space to spare. Now, onto the unmolding. Since the base is silicone, you can bend the mold away from the frozen treat. Then, grab it by the stick and push it through. This will require two hands. Unlike the other popsicle molds Stacey tested, the Lékué didn’t require any hot water to loosen the popsicle from its mold. It popped right out and the results were picture-perfect. She also appreciated the bright and round aesthetic of the molds, which invokes a sense of childhood nostalgia. The set comes with four colorful molds, which Stacey preferred due to her smaller household. Those with bigger families, or who plan on making a bunch of popsicles for a party, can either buy multiple sets or purchase the molds individually. “This is the one I would buy again,” says Stacey. “[The popsicles] were cute when unmolded, with a slightly rounded top. I love the reusable sticks!”The Details: 4 molds; silicone and plastic; holds 3.2 fluid ounces each; dishwasher-safeBest for Kids: Ozera Reusable Ice Pop Molds, Set of 6
Buy at Amazon.com
"Why It’s Great: Colorful sticks; drip guard handle; includes funnel and cleaning brush"Grain of Salt: Must run under hot water to remove from mold
Kids and popsicles go hand in hand. Kids and messes also go hand in hand. Luckily these ice pop molds feature a handy drip guard in the handle, so a melted popsicle doesn’t make a big mess on kids’ hands. There are six reusable molds in this set, which also comes with a sturdy plastic base, so it won’t tilt in the freezer. The stem, stick, and drip tray are all in one piece and come in an assortment of colors—including a rainbow set and single-color sets.While Stacey did find the Ozera set more difficult to fill due to the thin-slit shape of the mold, the set does come with a convenient silicone funnel to assist you with pouring. The other slight downside of the Ozera model is that it requires a quick pass beneath hot water for the popsicle to release cleanly from the mold. Most molds work this way and Stacey did note that after warming, the popsicle was still frozen and intact. The Details: 6 molds; premium plastic; holds 3 fluid ounces each; dishwasher-safe
Related: These Are the 5 Best Ice Cream Makers To Help Beat the Summer Heat
Best Compact: Zoku Classic Pop Molds
Buy at Amazon.com
Buy at Surlatable.com
"Why It’s Great: Simple to use; grippable sticks; sturdy and durable"Grain of Salt: Not dishwasher safe; stick may slip out of popsicle
Being short on space doesn’t mean you have to miss out on homemade popsicles. “This has a shorter, more compact design—plus it's thinner, so it fits much better in my freezer,” says Amanda. “You could probably stack this on top of something, but it would have to be fairly flat.”Amanda also praised the wide mouth of the molds, allowing for an easy and mess-free pour. Unlike the other mold models on this list, the Zoku Classic Pop Molds is one solid unit, which makes it nice and sturdy. The sticks have some pros and cons. On the positive side, Amanda found them easy and comfortable to hold, which is always a win. However, the sticks were prone to slipping out of the popsicle. First, she tried taking the popsicles out of the mold without warming it, which resulted in stick slippage. After running it under hot water (for quite a while), the fruit-based popsicle slid out, but the cream-based pop melted more and also lost its stick. Knowing that, we think this model is best suited for classic fruit-based popsicles.The Details: 6 molds; plastic; holds 3.1 fluid ounces each; hand-wash onlyBest Large: Tovolo Groovy Pop Molds
Buy at Amazon.com
Buy at Wayfair.com
"Why It’s Great: 4-ounce capacity; drip guard; sturdy base"Grain of Salt: Narrow mouth; larger footprint
Tovolo is well-known in the world of ice molds, so it’s no surprise that the Tovolo Groovy Pop Molds are on this list. They were the largest of all the molds tested, able to hold four fluid ounces of ingredients. “The mold has a nice fun design and gives you a larger popsicle,” says Amanda. “The set has six pieces, which is enough for our family of six, especially since the three younger kids are the popsicle lovers.” It’s a good thing that the drip guard is fairly large, too. While the bigger size of the mold yields a bigger popsicle, there are a few downsides. Amanda found that when all the molds were clicked into the base, it took up a ton of space in the freezer—so much so, in fact, that she had to remove the molds from the base to lay the popsicles flat to freeze. She did praise the base’s stability, however, liking how everything locked into place and felt secure. Amanda notes that you’ll need to run the molds under hot water in order to loosen things up. She tried pulling one popsicle out of the mold without warming it and the stick broke off in her hand. Another thing to know about the sticks: Even though the molds are large, the sticks are surprisingly small. Amanda said her young daughter had a tricky time holding one for an extended period, and ended up just eating the popsicle in a bowl. Maybe save this version for households with older kids. The Details: 6 molds; plastic; holds 4 fluid ounces each; dishwasher-safe
Related: Better Ice Means Better Drinks—These Are Our Allstar-Favorite Ice Cube Trays
Best Metal: Onyx POP004 Stainless Steel Popsicle Mold
Buy at Amazon.com
"Why It’s Great: Sleek design; pristine results; freezes quickly"Grain of Salt: Pricey; bamboo sticks may need replaced; tricky to fill
While many popsicle molds are made of plastic and silicone, this one is all metal. Both the molds and the base are stainless steel, giving them a sleek appearance. There is a bright silicone dot on top of each mold, however, which serves as a way to keep the stick firmly in place. On the topic of sticks, this is the only version we tested that uses traditional wooden sticks, specifically bamboo. While Onyx claims the bamboo sticks are reusable, Stacey had doubts and much preferred the plastic sticks of other models. The metal itself is both a blessing and a curse. Stainless steel certainly is gorgeous and durable, and it helps freeze the popsicles faster. However, Stacey also noted that her hands were incredibly cold while trying to unmold the treats due to the chilled metal. Where the Onyx model truly shines is the end result. “The final products looked really good, just like a store-bought popsicle,” Stacey says. The Details: 6 molds; stainless steel and silicone; holds 3.75 fluid ounces each; hand-wash onlyOur TakeawayAllstar Stacey crowned the Lékué Stackable Popsicle Molds as top pick thanks to the set's ease of use and adorable design. However, if you want more than a set of four (and a larger popsicle to boot), Allstar Amanda recommends the Tovolo Groovy Pop Molds.How to Pick the Right Popsicle MoldMaterialMost popsicle molds are made from either plastic or silicone. There are pros and cons to each kind. Plastic tends to be affordable, comes in a variety of shapes, and is easy to maintain, but may crack or require hand-washing. Silicone is durable, flexible, and tends to be temperature-resistant, but may be a bit pricier.There are a few popsicle molds made of metal. These stainless steel models are attractive and tend to freeze quickly, but people often complain about cold hands while removing the popsicles.Size and ShapeWhat kind of popsicle do you plan on making—a tiny treat or a full-sized dessert? Popsicle molds range in both size and shape, so knowing what you want the mold for is fairly important. Size can also refer to the number of molds included. There are molds that make just two pops and molds that can make up to 10 at a time. Keep in mind that these larger molds tend to take up a lot of freezer space.Shape also makes a big difference. Most popsicle molds on the market come in two basic shapes—a flat paddle or a round tube. However, if you want to add a bit more whimsy to your treat, there are a number of novelty popsicle mold shapes, such as cute dinosaurs, festive stars, or tropical fruits.Stick DesignWhen it comes to popsicle molds, don't overlook the stick. Many molds will come with reusable plastic sticks, which cuts down on waste. Sometimes, those sticks will be independent of the mold; some will be built-in. The main thing you want to look at is the stick length. Some sticks tend to be on the shorter side and are trickier to hold for longer periods of time. If you want a comfy grip, look for longer sticks.Another thing to look for is a drip guard. These guards extend out from the base of the popsicle and will catch melty messes. However, drip guards come in a range of sizes, and some are more effective than others. Thinner drip guards will prevent a few drops from reaching your hands, but wider ones can keep your hands cleaner if it's a hot day. Not all popsicle molds will come with drip guards, but if you have little kids or want to prevent sticky hands, you may want to go for that option.Common QuestionsHow do you get a popsicle out of its mold?Very few popsicles will slide straight out of their molds when taken out of the freezer. Most require a quick dip in a bowl of heated water, or being held beneath warm tap water to loosen it from the sides. It can be a delicate balance, however, since you don’t want to melt the treat. Try running the mold under warm water before gently wiggling the stem. It may take some trial and error at first, but once you find the right temperature-to-time ratio, you’ll have some pretty popsicles to enjoy. Some silicone mold models are a bit easier to unmold. Thanks to the flexible nature of the material, you can bend the molds away from the frozen treat and slide it free. You may not even need to warm it in water first. What are some homemade popsicle recipes I can try?Whether you prefer a juice-based popsicle for its sweet and tart flavor, or a cream-based popsicles with softer and richer vibes, there is a recipe for you. We’ve gathered up some of our favorites below: Watermelon PopsiclesOld-Fashioned Vanilla Ice PopsNutella Ice PopsTropical Kiwi Ice PopStrawberry Lime Smoothie PopsDouble Chocolate Frozen Fudge PopsMango-Tajin Ice PopsHow do you clean a popsicle mold?When the fun is over and done, it’s cleanup time. While many silicone and metal popsicle molds are dishwasher-safe, not all of them can go into the machine. Some models may even have removable parts, some of which are okay to go in the dishwasher, while the others are hand-wash only. The manufacturer will clearly indicate if it requires hand-washing. If that’s the case, it should be fairly simple to clean with soap and warm water. You’ll want to ensure your molds are thoroughly cleaned and dried before using them again. Make sure you get all the nooks and crannies. Why Take Our Word for It?Allison Wignall has brought her childhood love of popsicles into adulthood and almost always has a frozen treat in the freezer. Her work has been featured in the Spruce Eats, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, Southern Living, and more. Stacey Freeman is an Allstar and a lifestyle blogger with a penchant for stylish and unique party food recipes. She’s written a children’s book and has a PhD in education. Talk about impressive!As a trained chef, Allstar Amanda Scarlati knows a thing or two about making delicious desserts. She runs the Scarlati Family Kitchen blog, which is filled with Italian-American recipes to try. Want to know more about the Allrecipes Allstars? Learn about their favorite recipes, kitchen hacks, and product picks here.
Related: The Only Ice Cream Scoop You’ll Ever Need, According to Our Allstar
Read the original article on All Recipes.We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings