Over Labor Day weekend in my hometown, it's customary to throw on a bikini and float down the Sacramento River on inner tubes rented from the liquor store. Others head up to Lake Almanor to soak up their final summer tan (or in my case, cherry red burn). The first weekend of September in Chico feels like a warm summer hug in a way we don't normally get down in The Bay. By this time, the dog days of summer have come and gone, but the sultry heat still begs for a few drippy peaches and cream popsicles to cool you down.
I'm neither of these places this weekend. With Lucas in China (AGAIN!) and my mom texting me picture updates of the family card game score sheet from up at their peak-of-the-lake cabin, I'm home with the kitties, cooling off the house with the screen door. Summer is finally creeping its way in, and I'm sitting on the couch wearing less clothes than normal eating three popsicles a day. Right when school starts back, summer grabs on hard to lure me back in with a slightly uncomfortable bear hug.
The screen door lets in the song of the ice cream truck that occasionally comes down our street. You may remember, this was a very rare occurrence as a kid growing up in the country. So in the same way my cat's ears perk up as she quickly scampers in the moment she hears the tweeting birds of her favorite youtube video, the melody of the ice cream truck still give me a youthful trill. My eyes light up and I all but run into the middle of the street waving a dollar around (I have boundaries, folks).
The first time I heard it, I popped on my shoes and rushed right out to "water the plants" or "check the mail" (anything to mask the fact that I'm nearly 30 and still lose my cool when I hear the ice cream truck). Guys, the ice cream truck around here is shaddddy. A very very old soccer mom van, sloppily painted matte pepto bismol pink adorned with peeling stickers on one side. I can only assume they're selling popsicles out of a dingy ice chest. Definitely the kind of van every "don't talk to strangers" children's book taught us to avoid.
Instead, I've kept a constant rotation of fresh fruit popsicles in our freezer for the past month. And when I hear the sweet sound of the ice cream truck moseying down our street, I head straight to the ice box to pull out a homemade roasted peaches and cream popsicle. Each batch takes about 4 hours to freeze up, which is just about enough time to hold me over until I need another. Popsicle addict over here.
Sure, I could eat a bowl of non-fat yogurt topped with fresh peaches and a drizzle of honey for breakfast. Orrrrrrr, I could eat all that as a popsicle. It's no contest, really. Weather permitting, I've got no plans to let go of summer sweets anytime soon.
This popsicle recipe tastes like a seductively warm peach cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. When you roast peaches, they develop a deep caramel flavor that brings out the peaches' natural sweetness. Swirled together with vanilla-hinted yogurt, and you've got the quintessential summer ice pop.
So hot here these popsicles melted in about 5 minutes flat. Don't worry, I made sure to slurp up the peachy popsicle massacre.
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Recipe
Ingredients
- 3-4 large peaches, cut in half and pit removed
- 4 tablespoons honey, divided
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the halved peaches cut side up on a baking sheet. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of honey over the peaches. Roast the peaches for 20 minutes until tender.
- Transfer the roasted peaches to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pour the puréed peaches into a medium bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the yogurt, remaining 2 tablespoons of honey, and vanilla extract.
- Gently swirl the yogurt into the peach mixture (for the marbled effect, be sure not to over mix - just swirl enough to distribute the yogurt).
- Use a funnel to fill each popsicle mold with the peachy popsicle mix. (Note: Fill just under full because it will expand a bit when it freezes, which can make the lid difficult to remove).
- Place the lid over the mold and insert your popsicle sticks as straight at possible.
- Freeze for 4-6 hours, or until frozen solid. For best results, freeze over night.
- To help remove your popsicles from the mold, fill a large bowl with warm water and briefly dunk the bottom part of the mold in the bowl or briefly run the mold under running warm water.
Chi -
Oh Sarah, these popsicles are amazing. You've just put my 2 favorite things together in one amazing recipe. Lovely photos as always.
I would love to invite you to become a Chicory App recipe partner ( check us out at chicory(dot)co). Are you interested?
Katie | lovely letters -
These photos are SO stunning. And I am so fully in support of "checking the mail." Very clever of you to mask your enthusiasm in such a necessary task. Total reward system in action right there... pick up the mail, get some ice cream. All about a reward system.
xx Katie
lovely letters
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks, Katie! Haha - I'm totally into the reward system (ps. did you read my cracker jack post - because if not, it's super funny that you mention a reward system - how timely!:).
Chris @ Shared Appetite -
Oh man... shady ice cream truck. Bummer!!! Hahaha, and don't feel bad. This 30 year old always looks hopefully at Asheley whenever he hears the ice cream truck in the area. Unfortunately, she always shoots me down.
And Sarah, these popsicles are stunning! I wouldn't mind eating 3 of these a day :)
Sarah Menanix -
Haha - you're lucky you have someone that doesn't condone your ice cream addiction. I ask Lucas for ice cream and he'll head out to the nearest store and any hour to bring back a pint. I suppose I should simultaneously love and hate him for that;)
Shikha @ Shikha la mode -
I CAN'T BELIEVE I COULDN'T MAKE BRUNCH AND YOU MADE THESE. I am dying. Dead. Bye. Basically we have to cook soon.
Sarah Menanix -
Seriously - you missed out, girl. ;)
ellie | fit for the soul -
Roasting the peaches was the best idea. I think peaches are sometimes best when cooked, because the flavors are so explosive that way! And of course, awesome job with the photos. ;)
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you, Ellie! You totally got it - something about roasting them makes the flavors that much more powerful!
Suzanne @ Flour Arrangements -
All the ice cream trucks I've seen lately seem super shady as well. Were they that bad when we were kids? Anyway, can't wait to make these peach pops. Much better than anything for sale in an ice cream truck, that's for sure!
Sarah Menanix -
Yes!! I'm glad it's not just me. In retrospect, the one I frequented as a kid was probably also just as shady. He parked outside my junior high school and I went to visit him every day after school. I'll also take homemade popsicles over ice cream man pops any day though!
Kayley | The Kitchen McCabe -
These look perfect, Sarah! I love that you roasted the peaches. I thought peaches and cream on it's own was pretty awesome, but apparently you've changed that!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you, Kayley! Oh man - roasted peaches are my new favorite. It's like summer intensified.
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext -
These popsicles look absolutely gorgeous! Love the roasted peaches and cream- my favourite summer flavour! Bookmarking this recipe for next year! :)
Sarah Menanix -
Yay! Thank you Jess! Now you've got me thinking: I should figure out how to make and store these popsicles so I can eat them all winter.
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter -
I am so not ready to let go of summer fruit - especially peaches so these popsicles are perfect! Love that you roasted the peaches first. They look so so pretty and sound amazing! Pinning :)
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks for the pin love, Kelly! I hope the summer fruit sticks around for at least another few weeks too - keeping my fingers crossed.
dina -
great way to enjoy the last days of summer!
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks, Dina! It was so hot this weekend that I ate the whole batch:) Summer's going out with a bang.
Kelly - A Side of Sweet -
Tubing! That sounds like Wisco talk! I can fondly recall many a lazy summer weekend spent tubing down this or that river! As for the popsicles, they look delicious! I can't believe I still haven't made any this summer!
Sarah Menanix -
Sounds like next summer we're going to have to do a trip to Chico to tube down some of the rivers/creeks up there!
Thalia @ butter and brioche -
These popsicles look delicious! Totally love peaches and cream together.. so I can imagine how good they tasted.. pinned!
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks for the pin love, Thalia! Peaches and cream are a match made in heaven, right?
Annie | MontgomeryFest -
I felt like I put too much bad juju about my stingy clicks, so I'm here to make up for them.....alllovah your blog. I'm sorry we couldn't be as exciting as a liquor-filled ice chest floating in the tube next to yours, but we thoroughly enjoyed our first holiday back....even if it was soooo farrrr acccrrross the bay. I also totally regret not getting that shot of you in front of the mural wall....redo?
Sarah Menanix -
Dude, seriously. I was getting really anxious that you hadn't come by in awhile...
I feel absolutely no pressure at all with being the sole entertainer on your "first holiday back" - hopefully it wasn't so terrible that you'll withhold clicks. Also, you're WAY better than a liquor-filled ice chest (ultimate compliment, right there). Can't have ribs and ice cream tubing down the river. Just sayin'.
Definitely a redo. I guess it means we have to hang out again. I'll invite myself over as soon as you have your stationery dresser all ready to go ;)
Veronica -
Sarah this looks so yummy! I'm with you on the ice cream truck! There was a time that the ice cream truck was welcomed and we knew the people who owned It! So smart to roast the peaches! Love it!
Sarah Menanix -
I mean, I used to be FRIENDS with my ice cream truck man as a kid. No so much anymore....
Thanks, Mama V!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits -
So much yum going on in these popsicles right now! Wish I can have one!
Sarah Menanix -
Come over sometime and I'll make sure there's a batch in the freezer for you!
michael -
Taste like a peach cobbler in a popsicle, wow! I love peach cobbler, looks delicious Sarah!
Sarah Menanix -
Exactly like a peach cobbler...but without the guilt after eating more than one in a day haha. Thanks, Michael!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen -
Oh I love that you roasted the peaches before turning them into popsicles. Sounds divine! Happy last days of summer to you!
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks, Liz! And right back at you - I hope you're soaking in a bit of late summer sun this weekend!