Why You Should Trust Us
As the updates writer for Wirecutters kitchen and appliance teams, Haley Sprankle has touched on every kitchen topic from grill tools to ice cube trays. She has also tested products for our guides to kitchen towels, dish racks, and oven mitts and pot holders. While working on the 2021 update of this guide, Haley interviewed Fany Gerson, owner of La Newyorkina and author of Paletas: Authentic Recipes for Mexican Ice Pops, Shaved Ice & Aguas Frescas.
For our 2015 update, in order to ascertain which features were most important in an ice pop mold, which materials work best for a home cook, and how to make the best ice pops, writer Molly Simms interviewed Reuben Ben Jehuda, owner and co-founder of the Popbar chain, and Charity Ferreira, who penned the 2011 cookbook Perfect Pops. For the original 2013 guide, writer Jamie Wiebe spoke with Douglas Goff, a food scientist specializing in ice cream at the University of Guelph, and David Carrell at Brooklyn-based pop shop Peoples Pops.
Best Budget: Helistar Silicone Ice Pop Molds
What We Love: Easy-to-release pops, BPA-free, dishwasher safe
What We Don’t Love: Requires flat, dedicated freezer space
Silicones flexibility makes it easier for frozen pops to slide out of the mold simply by running them under warm water and lifting them out gently. These Helistar ice pop molds are not only made from BPA-free silicone but are also budget-friendly.
Each set comes with two bases that make six 3.3-ounce popsicles each, for a total of 12 popsicles. The kit also comes with a silicone funnel for ease of pouring, 12 sticks, and a cleaning brush . If you want to make more than a dozen popsicles, Helistar makes similar molds for 20 3.5-ounce pops and 24 3.6-ounce pops.
In addition to making popsicles with juices and other liquids, the manufacturer says these molds can be used to make frozen treats with purees, yogurt, gelatin, fruit, ice cream, pudding, jams, and jellies. Some reviewers note that because the silicone material is so flexible, its important to clear enough space in your freezer for the mold to sit flat to ensure that the sticks stay centered.
Material: Silicone | Popsicle Size: 3.3 fluid ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Dimensions : 5.5 x 4.9 x 3.5 inches
What We Love: Easy-to-release silicone, kid-friendly size, multi-use
What We Don’t Love: Requires dedicated space in freezer, small drip guard
Material: Silicone | Popsicle Size: 2.6 fluid ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Dimensions : 6.3 x 6.3 x 3.1 inches
These Kitchen Accessories Make It Easier To Whip Up Your Own Ice Pops
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
The Spruce Eats / Chloe Jeong
When the weather is warm, theres no better way to cool off than with an ice-cold popsicle. And if you have a popsicle mold at your disposal, you dont have to make a trip to the store or wait for the ice cream man to drive down your street. Popsicle molds, which are typically silicone or plastic sleeves in various shapes and sizes, make it easy to whip up a batch of homemade treats from whatever you have in your refrigerator. Think fruit, honey, yogurt, and even ingredients like granola. As an added bonus, making popsicles is a fun activity for the kids, plus a great way to teach them all about making their favorite snacks at home.
Here, the best popsicle molds for delicious frozen treats.
-
Shape doesnt fit comfortably in all freezers
This popsicle mold earns top honors for being functional and convenient. With six slots, youll be able to make enough ice pops for the average family, but you wont wind up with a ton of excess or a mold thats too bulky to fit in your freezer.
Material: Polypropylene | Number of Pops: Six | Pop Size: 3.1 ounces each
Also Check: How To Rid Mold In Basement
Best Popsicle Mold For Extra Hot Days: Goodcook Ice Pop Maker Sipper
Is there anything worse than working your way through a popsicle on a sweltering day, only to lose a chunk of it to melt? Avoid sticky fingers and wasting any of that sweet nectar with this handy reusable popsicle mold. The base catches the filling as it liquifies, and the attached straw makes catching every last drop a piece of cake.
Buy it: $5 walmart.com
Tovolo Penguin Pop Molds
The Tovolo Penguin molds hold about 2 ounces per pop, making an icy treat thats small enough not to be overwhelming for kids. And they come in unique, cute shapeseach penguin has its own lookthat are fairly easily removable from their individual silicone molds. The sticks are reusable, and each piece of this set is dishwasher safe.
Like the Tovolo Classic molds, these molds are designed to let you remove them individually from the tray. When filling the Tovolo Penguin molds, you must first place each individual silicone penguin in a cylindrical slot on the tray. But be aware that theres nothing to secure each silicone mold in place on the tray aside from the slots themselves: You need to fill the molds carefully so that the edge of the silicone mold doesnt tilt off-balance and slip through the slot in the tray, causing a spill. Once youve filled all the molds, you top each one off with a playful stick that looks like a little iceberg. Take care not to overfill the molds before placing the sticks if the molds are too full, the pops will freeze over the drip guard, leaving no barrier between your fingers and a melting pop. Its a good rule of thumb to fill the mold to right before it widens at the top, so the stick can fit snugly.
Recommended Reading: Sanding Mold Off Wood
Why You Should Make Your Own Popsicles
If you make your popsicles at home, you can be sure to use purely freshly-squeezed juice, freshly chopped fruit, and plain yogurt.
Take a quick stroll down the frozen aisles at the grocery store and you’ll find dozens of popsicle brands, which may lead you to think, “Why should I spend time making my own frozen treats?” Furthermore, many of those boxed varieties claim to be healthy. But here’s the problem: no matter how good you are at understanding the complicated nutrition labels on packaged foods, the FDA allows up to a 20 percent error in the numbers on those labels. Twenty percent is a pretty large margin of error too large in our opinion. If you regularly, accidentally ate 20 percent more sugar, fat, sodium, and calories than you thought you were consuming, your health would take a major hit. When you make popsicles at home, know exactly what you’re getting. If you measure out all of the ingredients yourself and take note of the amount of sugar, fat, etc., then you never have to wonder if the tasty treat you are about to enjoy is really healthy or not.
Other Good Popsicle Molds
The Zoku Classic Pop Molds, our former runner-up pick, were out of stock for most of the spring and summer of 2020. Although such scarcity can be common for seasonal items, the Tovolo Classic Pop Molds havent had that problem. We retested in 2021 when the Zoku classic molds became available again, and found they performed identically to our top pick, the Tovolo Classic, easily releasing the pops after 20-30 seconds under running water. If you can find the Zoku set in stock, we like that it makes six ice pops instead of the Tovolos five. But unlike the Tovolo molds, these arent dishwasher safe.
We also retested our former favorite, the Zoku Round Pop Molds, in 2021, and appreciated the unusual, chic shape and easy release of its pops. But again, the mold isnt dishwasher safe like most of our current picks. Readers have noted, too, that the resulting pop shape can be difficult to eat, and the drip catcher is relatively ineffective.
We also tested the Zoku Mod Pop Molds in 2021. They were comparable to the brands Classic Pop Molds, except the pops they made had more squared edges. Yet again, these are a great option and performed just as well as the Tovolo Classic molds with each of our testing recipes, but theyre not dishwasher safe.
Recommended Reading: Clean Mildew Off Ceiling
Best Mini Popsicle Mold: Zoku Mini Pops Mold
Sometimes you just want a little taste of something sweet, and these miniature lollipop-shaped molds are here to deliver that perfect bit of frozen goodness. They hold up to three ounces of liquid, which is ideal for small snacks or little hands. The sturdy mold won’t get knocked over in your packed freezer, and the silicone and plastic construction makes it easy to slide the treats out when the time comes. As a bonus, the mold can also be used to make chocolate lollies and other candies.
Buy it: $17 bedbathandbeyond.com
What Is Frosting In Pastry
Icing, or frosting, is a sweet, often creamy glaze made of sugar with a liquid, such as water or milk, that is often enriched with ingredients like butter, egg whites, cream cheese, or flavorings. It is used to coat or decorate baked goods, such as cakes. When it is used between layers of cake it is known as a filling.
Read also
Don’t Miss: Best Way To Clean Mold Off Bathroom Ceiling
Best Metal: Onyx Pop004 Stainless Steel Popsicle Mold
-
Removal can be more difficult
-
More expensive
If youre hesitant to use plastic or silicone , a metal popsicle mold is a great option. This six-cavity option is worthy of the task. Its crafted from 18/8 stainless steela material thats not only food-safe but also extremely durable and long-lasting. It also comes with a stand for storage, lids for each pop, 12 removable silicone rings to prevent spills, and a set of reusable bamboo sticks.
If theres any downside to using a metal mold like this one, its that removal can be a little more difficult. Its an easy fix, thoughsimply run the mold under warm water until things loosen up.
Material: Stainless Steel | Number of Pops: Six | Pop Size: 3+ ounces each
-
Requires sticks
To make a treat thats as close to what youd find in a supermarketthe classic shape on a wooden popsicle sticktry this BPA-free silicone mold.
The set contains everything you need to get starteda 10-cavity mold, 50 food-grade popsicle sticks, 50 popsicle bags for storage, and a silicone funnel for easy fillingso you dont have to shop around. The mold even has a lid with holes for the popsicle sticks to keep everything clean and in place while the liquid freezes into ice pops.
Perhaps best of all, this popsicle mold is extremely easy to cleaneven the nooks and cranniessince you can safely pop it right in the dishwasher.
Material: Silicone | Number of Pops: Ten | Pop Size: 3.4 ounces each
Also Great: Lku Tropical Fruit Ice Pop Molds
The quirky Lékué Tropical Fruit Ice Pop Molds charmed us during our recent tests. Theyre great for both kids and adults, offering something cute but not childish. The tropical-fruit set of silicone molds includes two shapesa watermelon slice and a pineapplethat are perfect for summer snacking. Though they have no tray, the lidded molds are small and stackable, leaving you plenty of freezer real estate. The silicone is easy to peel off the pops, the reusable stick fits securely in a slot, and each piece is dishwasher safe.
We found it pretty simple to fill these molds when making our different recipes. The main issue to look out for is that you need to put the reusable stick in its slot before you fill the mold with juiceotherwise the juice leaks out of the slot . You should also avoid overfilling each mold, so you can place the lid on top without making the liquid overflow. Keep in mind too that the flexible silicone molds are a little unstable, so you need to be careful not to spill the liquid when transporting them to the freezer. It might help to stack them on a tray first.
Lékués pop sticks also lack a drip catcher, so if youre serving these pops to kids, you may want to have some paper towels on hand. No drippage was too egregious during our tests with adultsthe results were similar to what you would get with any pop you might buy at the grocery store.
Recommended Reading: Clean Mold Off Of Leather
How Do You Freeze Kulfi Without Mold
Best For Toddlers: Nuby Garden Fresh Fruitsicle Tray
-
Easy for kids to handle
-
BPA-free
-
Only makes four popsicles
Pure fruit popsicles are undoubtedly one of the best snacks for babies and toddlers, but the classic variety can be top-heavy, making them difficult for little hands to hold onto. Thats where this clever mold comes in. It’s short and squat and creates four mini popsicles that are perfectly shaped for the tiniest set. Whats more, a looped handle makes the snack easier to grip, so babies as young as 6 months can enjoy a frozen treat .
Besides the impressive functionality, parents will also love the fact that each stick also has a wide popsicle-holder base that catches drips as the popsicle melts for a mess-free experience. Though plastic, the mold is entirely BPA-free.
Material: Plastic | Number of Pops: Four | Pop Size: 1 ounce each
-
Only makes two at a time
-
Expensive
If theres one thing every parent knows, its that sometimes kids arent the most patient of the bunch. With this popsicle mold, youre less likely to have kids pestering you about when the frozen treats will be readyit makes two 2-ounce ice pops in just seven minutes.
Its a great popsicle mold for anyone with limited freezer space, too, as the machine does all the freezing right on your countertopno electricity required. Simply pre-chill the base, fill it when youre ready and pop your treat out of the nonstick cast-aluminum mold.
Material: Metal and plastic | Number of Pops: Two or three | Pop Size: 2 ounces each
-
No bulky mold to store
You May Like: How To Remove Mold Bathroom Ceiling
Best Budget: Ikea Chosigt Ice Pop Maker
-
Too bulky for some freezers
When it comes to budget home accessories, what doesnt IKEA have? Like most everything else the Swedish company makes, its ice pop maker works great and comes at a price that cant be beaten. Is the mold rather basic? Yesbut it functions just as well as pricier options and comes in fun, vibrant colors.
Six classically shaped popsicle molds sit upright in a stand for easy filling and freezing. Simply pour in your liquidwhether it’s a unique ice cream creation or your leftover smoothieplace the sticks inside, then let them freeze. Because the stand has four sturdy feet, it sits comfortably in most freezers and wont tip over during the freezing process.
Despite the rock-bottom price, theres no need to worry about chemicalsthe set is entirely BPA-free.
Material: Polypropylene | Number of Pops: Six | Pop Size: Unspecified
Best Disposable Popsicle Mold: Zipzicle Ice Pop Molds
Whether you’re handing out popsicles to the neighborhood crew or just don’t want to keep track of reusable bases, this set of 36 disposable plastic sheaths is here to save the day. Simply fill with 3 ounces of filling, zip closed, and freeze until you’re ready to share. Reviewers love them for both a fun way to serve frozen adult drinks at parties, as well as keeping the little ones happy with kid-friendly flavors like strawberry and chocolate pudding.
Buy it: $7 bedbathandbeyond.com
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Bathroom Ceiling Mold
What Are The Best Popsicle Molds To Buy
The Best Popsicle Molds
- Our pick. Zoku Round Pop Molds. Best popsicle molds. These silicone molds were the easiest to use and the spherical pops held together best in our testing. …
- Runner-up. Zoku Classic Pop Molds. Runner-up. …
- Also great. Norpro Ice Pop Maker. For a crowd. …
- Also great. Zoku Fish Pop Molds. For kids.
How Do You Get A Popsicle Out Of A Mold
Its surprisingly easy to get a popsicle out of a mold, especially if youre using a food-safe silicone mold. These molds simply peel back slightly, allowing you to easily wiggle the frozen treat free. For plastic or metal molds , run the mold under warmnot hotwater until the ice pop begins to loosen. Pull gently to release.
Recommended Reading: How To Remove Mold Off Bathroom Ceiling
Why Are My Candy Melts Lumpy
If you find your candy melts are too thick, add a spoonful of shortening. The shortening will be clumpy at first, but once it is stirred in, let it sit for a few minutes. … If after about 5 minutes the clumps are still not gone, heat the candy melts in the microwave for another 20 seconds at 20% power.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers
Although the Tovolo Classic Pop Molds performed the best overall among the classic pop molds in our tests thanks to their great shape, compact tray, and effective drip catcher, plastic molds in general can sometimes be finicky to remove a pop from. Whereas some of our tested silicone molds allowed us to pull the pops right out without any hesitation or a dip in warm water, sometimes we had to work a little harder to jimmy the pops out of the Tovolo Classic molds. But since these molds were still better than many of the other plastic molds we tested, we dont consider that bit of extra effort to be a dealbreaker.
Recommended Reading: Remove Black Mold From Ceiling
