Introduction

Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles are a delightful way to enjoy the classic dessert in a cool, refreshing form. Combining sweet strawberry puree, creamy milk, and buttery shortbread bits, these popsicles offer layers of texture and flavor perfect for warm days.

The image shows five popsicles laid out on a white marbled surface. Each popsicle has three visible layers: a bottom crumbly light yellow layer, a middle creamy white layer, and a top bright pink layer with a textured ribbed pattern. Crumbs are scattered around the popsicles, along with several whole and halved fresh strawberries, which add bright red color and green leaves. Two round light yellow cookies are also placed near the center of the image. The popsicles are on wooden sticks, and the scene is brightly lit, giving a fresh and inviting look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup (240ml) milk
1/2 cup (104g) sugar
2 cups (480ml) strawberry puree (from about 3 1/2 cups halved strawberries)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
4-5 strawberries, sliced
1.7 oz package shortbread highlanders (such as Walkers brand)

Instructions

Step 1: Add the milk and sugar to a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring regularly until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Step 2: Place the halved strawberries into a food processor and pulse until smooth, yielding about 2 cups of puree. Pour this into a medium saucepan.
Step 3: Cook the strawberry puree over medium heat until reduced by half, about 1 cup in volume. Avoid letting it boil vigorously.
Step 4: Remove the strawberry mixture from heat and stir in 3/4 cup of the cooled milk mixture. Set aside.
Step 5: Stir the vanilla extract into the remaining milk mixture and set aside.
Step 6: Place a few slices of fresh strawberries against the inside walls of each popsicle mold for decoration.
Step 7: Pour the strawberry mixture into the molds to fill about one-third of each. Freeze for around 1 hour until slightly firm.
Step 8: Crumble 3-4 shortbread cookies into small pieces and mix them into the vanilla milk mixture.
Step 9: Remove molds from the freezer and pour the milk-shortbread mixture into each mold, filling to about two-thirds full.
Step 10: Insert a popsicle stick into each mold, pushing it down so it reaches the strawberry layer. This helps when removing the popsicles later. Freeze for another hour.
Step 11: Add the remaining strawberry mixture on top of each popsicle and sprinkle with more crumbled shortbread.
Step 12: Freeze the popsicles until completely firm, 4-6 hours or overnight.
Step 13: To unmold, briefly dip the mold in room temperature water and gently wiggle the popsicle free. Serve immediately or wrap in parchment paper and store in a freezer bag.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor in the puree.
Substitute shortbread with graham crackers or digestive biscuits for a different texture.
For a creamier popsicle, replace some of the milk with cream or yogurt.
Press the popsicle sticks deeply to make removal easier and prevent the filling from separating.

Storage

Store the popsicles in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 weeks. Wrapping each popsicle in parchment paper before bagging helps prevent sticking. To re-soften slightly before serving, leave them at room temperature for a few minutes.

How to Serve

A close-up of a frozen popsicle held by a woman's hand shows three visible layers. The top layer is a smooth, bright pink with faint vertical ridges, followed by a creamy white middle layer that looks soft and slightly crumbly. The bottom layer has a mix of pink and white with some frosty texture, and it rests on a crumbly light beige crust at the base. In the blurred background, there are fresh red strawberries and other similar popsicles on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen strawberries can be used. Thaw them first and drain any excess liquid before making the puree for the best texture.

Do I need special molds for these popsicles?

While popsicle molds work best, you can also use small paper cups and wooden sticks as an alternative. Ensure the cups are sturdy and the sticks are inserted securely.