Creamy Caramel Popsicle Recipe: Your Go-To Sweet Summer Treat
Indulge in the nostalgic delight of a homemade Caramel Popsicle! This simple yet incredibly satisfying treat, with a rich and creamy custard base made from milk and sugar, is an absolute must-have for those warm summer days. It’s not just a dessert; it’s a taste of sweet sunshine in every bite, promising to cool you down and put a smile on your face.
Celebrating National Dairy Month and the Heart of American Farms
June is a special time of year, designated as National Dairy Month, a celebration of the vital role dairy plays in our lives and the incredible dedication of dairy farmers. In our household, milk is practically a staple, disappearing at an astonishing rate. I often joke with my kids that we should simply acquire a few cows for our backyard, though I know it’s far from a realistic solution. For one, our local regulations wouldn’t permit hooved animals, but more importantly, the sheer amount of work involved in raising dairy cows is immense—a profound and daily commitment that sets it apart from many other forms of farming.
There are no “lazy” Saturday or Sunday mornings for dairy farmers; the cows are always waiting. They must be milked every single day, without fail. This unwavering routine, this deep connection to the land and the animals, is something that truly resonated with me while reading through The Dairy Good Cookbook. It brought back a flood of cherished memories from my childhood, for you see, my own grandparents once owned and operated a bustling dairy farm.
Life on a Dairy Farm: A Family Legacy of Hard Work and Heart
I distinctly recall those early morning visits to my grandparents’ farm as a child. Waking before the sun had even thought about rising, the rhythmic sounds of the farm animals were already a symphony. The cows were always there, patiently waiting for their turn. Breakfast was a reward, a communal meal that only happened after the cows were tended to, milked, and fed. Dairy farming is so much more than just managing cows; it encompasses the cultivation of crops like hay and corn, and the careful rotation of pastures to ensure healthy grazing land. Keeping up with 200 acres of land, come rain or shine, was a monumental task.
I remember the biting cold of winter mornings and the sweltering heat of summer afternoons, all part of the daily grind. With approximately 40 milking cows and an additional 25-30 calves and heifers, there was a constant stream of work to be done. It wasn’t just a job; it was a lifestyle, a continuous cycle of care and dedication that permeated every aspect of their lives.
This photograph shows my dad back in 1950, surrounded by our family’s beautiful black and white Holsteins. Dairy farming is rarely a solitary endeavor; it takes an entire family working together. Children contribute before and after school, spouses labor side-by-side, and every single day of the year is focused on the well-being of the cows and the precious milk they produce. As Julie Lourenzo of Silver Streams Jerseys farm in Tillamook, Oregon, beautifully articulates in The Dairy Good Cookbook, “The kids always have chores to do, they may not like them, but they do them anyway.” She and her husband Shannon meticulously “plan their whole day around what each of them are doing on the farm.” It’s a testament to their unwavering commitment and the profound sense of responsibility that defines their lives.
The Dairy Good Cookbook: More Than Just Recipes
Flipping through the pages of The Dairy Good Cookbook is an experience in itself. Beyond the gorgeous photography that brings the farm to life, you’ll find heartfelt family stories that speak of a deep love for the land, the cows, and the incredible array of products they produce. It’s not merely a collection of recipes; it’s a captivating read that offers a window into the lives of the dedicated individuals who bring us our daily dairy. From the foundational goodness of milk, we get an astonishing variety of products: rich cheeses, creamy butter, wholesome yogurt, decadent cream, tangy sour cream, versatile cottage cheese, and indispensable cream cheese (I simply can’t imagine a bagel without it!). And, of course, there’s the universally beloved ice cream. All these culinary delights exist because of the relentless effort and passion of these dedicated farmers.
The Dairy Good Cookbook: Everyday Comfort Food from America’s Dairy Farm Families is a true treasure. It features over 100 recipes, thoughtfully created by and for America’s 47,000 dairy farm families. This comprehensive cookbook covers every meal of the day, from hearty breakfast dishes and satisfying lunches to comforting dinners, along with tempting snacks, delightful desserts, and even special holiday recipes. I’m particularly excited to try the Fresh Berry Stuffed French Toast with a Vanilla Yogurt Sauce, and I know my kids will be eager for a taste of the Slow Cooked Beef Stroganoff. With summer practically here, I wanted to share a fantastic popsicle recipe from this very cookbook – a simple, creamy milk mixture beautifully swirled with rich caramel sauce, promising a delightful treat.
Crafting Your Own Creamy Caramel Popsicles: Tips for Success
Making these homemade caramel popsicles is a wonderfully rewarding experience, yielding a treat far superior to store-bought versions. The key to their creamy texture lies in the custard base. When you’re cooking your milk mixture, you’ll know it has reached the perfect consistency when it coats the back of a wooden spoon. This ensures a thick, luscious base that will freeze into a smooth and delightful popsicle.
Transferring the swirled mixture into popsicle molds can sometimes be a bit tricky, especially with smaller openings. To make this process as mess-free and efficient as possible, I highly recommend using a plastic bag. Simply pour your prepared mixture into a sturdy zip-top bag.
Once the mixture is in the bag, snip a small corner off. This transforms your plastic bag into a makeshift piping bag, giving you excellent control.
This technique makes filling those tiny openings in your popsicle molds so much easier than attempting to spoon the mixture in. Once filled, insert your popsicle sticks, and then simply freeze until firm, which typically takes 4-6 hours or can be done overnight. The waiting is the hardest part, but the reward is a perfectly creamy, delightfully caramel-infused popsicle, ready to be enjoyed on any hot day.
The Perfect “After Chores” Treat and More Serving Ideas
These creamy caramel popsicles are truly the perfect treat, whether you’re cooling down after a long day of work (or play!), or just looking for a sweet escape. Their rich flavor and smooth texture make them an instant favorite for all ages. You can also experiment with different caramel sauces – perhaps a salted caramel for a sophisticated twist, or a darker, richer caramel for an even deeper flavor profile. Don’t be afraid to swirl in a touch of chocolate syrup for a marbleized mocha-caramel effect!
These are not just for kids; adults will appreciate the balanced sweetness and creamy consistency, making them an elegant, yet simple, dessert for summer gatherings. Serve them alongside fresh berries or a light cookie for an extra touch of indulgence. No matter how you enjoy them, these homemade caramel popsicles are sure to become a beloved part of your summer tradition, embodying the simple joy of good dairy and homemade goodness.
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This delightful Caramel Popsicle Recipe is featured as “Caramelicious Milksicles” on page 124 of The Dairy Good Cookbook.
Caramel Popsicle Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup caramel ice cream topping, room temperature
Instructions
- Combine sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Over low heat, whisk in milk until combined. Increase heat to medium-high and bring mixture to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for about 2 minutes, until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Transfer to a shallow container or bowl. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 40 minutes to cool.
- Add caramel topping, placing spoonfuls on top of chilled milk mixture, then lightly swirling with a knife.
- Transfer swirled mixture to popsicle molds and freeze until firm, 4-6 hours or overnight.
Notes
This Caramel Popsicle Recipe appears as Caramelicious Milksicles in The Dairy Good Cookbook on page 124. For best results, ensure your milk mixture is thoroughly chilled before adding the caramel and swirling.
Did you make this recipe?
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Where to Find The Dairy Good Cookbook
If you’re inspired by the stories and recipes shared here, you can find The Dairy Good Cookbook wherever books and e-books are sold – including major retailers like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and through independent bookstores via Indie Bound. It’s a fantastic resource for anyone who appreciates the goodness of dairy and wants to support American farm families.
This recipe is used with permission from The Dairy Good Cookbook, published by Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC. This article is sponsored by Dairy Good. The opinions and text expressed herein are entirely my own, reflecting my personal experiences and appreciation for dairy products and the farming community.
Win a Copy of The Dairy Good Cookbook & a $75 Gift Card! (Giveaway Closed)
Through The Dairy Good Cookbook, dairy farmers generously share their cherished stories, traditions, and beloved family recipes, many of which have been passed down through generations. While this particular sweepstakes has concluded, it’s worth noting the spirit of community and sharing that the Dairy Good team fosters. Historically, they’ve offered readers a chance to win a copy of The Dairy Good Cookbook and a $75 gift card, by sharing a recipe or dish that celebrates their love of dairy (specifically including cow’s milk, cheese, and/or yogurt) and a personal story about how that recipe or dish has been passed down through the generations in their family, or how it is tied to a special tradition or meaningful occasion.
Historical Entry Instructions:
You may receive (1) total entry by selecting from the following entry methods:
1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway was open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners were selected via random draw, and were notified by e-mail. The notification email came directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. Winners had 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner was selected.
The Official Rules were available here.
This sweepstakes ran from 6/2/2015 – 6/30/2015.
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