Homemade Fudgesicles

Sharon is a human resources professional who enjoys sharing simple recipes that make mealtime deliciously easy!

Memories of My Grandma's Candy Store

I have fond childhood memories of eating fudgesicles from my grandma's candy store in Nova Scotia. She owned a corner store that had one of those big glass countertop cases full of penny candy.

You got a little bag and you filled it full of candy—but that was not my favorite thing, believe it or not. My grandmother also had a freezer full of frozen treats that included the most delicious treat I remember tasting as a child: the fudgesicle!

If it wasn't for my mom putting a limit on the number of fudgesicles I could eat, I am sure I would have made myself sick consuming them.

Fudgesicles Are Chocolate Heaven

The name "fudgesicles" is a brand name that refers to what are basically chocolate popsicles. They are, however, much richer and creamier, with a higher milk content than a chocolate popsicle, which is more water-based.

Fudgesicles are readily available in grocery stores but can be expensive. I would often only buy them when they were on sale. However, a great alternative is to make them yourself. It's easy to do with simple ingredients that are often already in your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

1. In a small pot, combine the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa, and milk.
2. Cook over medium heat until it becomes thick.
3. Remove from heat and add the vanilla and butter. Stir till it is well combined.
4. Place in popsicle molds and freeze until firm.

Fudgesicles Just Taste Good!

I could eat these frozen treats forever. As a child, I was always asking my mom to buy me just one more.

My mom had a strict rule about paying for the things in my grandma's store; after all, this was how she made a living. But my grandma would often treat us and sneak us the treats we liked best. That's what grandmas do.

I still love fudgesicles, but I would limit myself from buying boxes of them as I still have that terrible childhood desire to eat too many! I have no discipline when it comes to eating these treats.

I have tried a few fudgesicle recipes; however, nothing compares with the chocolate popsicle of my youth. I'm not sure why that is—perhaps the recipe was different back then or it was just that special youthful enjoyment of a favorite treat.

The History of Frozen Treats

Did you ever wonder how we came to eat these frozen treats on a stick? It all started with a mistake by a little boy in California in 1905.

Little Frank Epperson was enjoying some water mixed with soda powder on his front porch when he ran inside and forgot about his drink. He left it there all night with the wooden stir stick in the glass.

When young Frank found it in the morning it was frozen solid with the stir stick jutting out like a little handle. He ran some hot water over the glass (much like we do today when eating homemade popsicles) and out came the frozen treat.

He started to make them for his friends, and as an adult he made them for his kids. He called them "Eppsicles" after the first few letters of his last name, but his kids called them "popsicles" because their "pop" made them. That became the name that stuck.

Frank knew he had something worth patenting and filed for a patent in 1923; about 18 years after his childhood discovery. It was an instant success!

However, Frank never did become rich with his popsicles, and he eventually sold the rights to them to the Joe Lowe Company in New York City, At the time of selling the rights, Frank was penniless; he was obviously not a good businessman.

The company went on to grow the brand and even developed the double-stick popsicles during the Great Depression so children could split it in half and share it for the same price as a single ice pop.

Frank could probably have used some help from the Shark Tank back then!

Sugar-Free Fudgesicles: A Healthy Protein Option

The one drawback with fudgesicles is that the commercial variety tends to be high in sugar. When making them homemade, they still contain sugar but you can control the quantity or try using sugar substitutes.

If you are looking for a health-conscious no-sugar version, then watch this video. It demonstrates how to prepare super healthy protein fudgesicles.

Fun Melting Facts

When the temperature increases, the molecules that make up the object start to jiggle and dance and loosen their grip on each other.

They are still attached but much more loosely at this point, thus forming a liquid. If things keep heating up, they will eventually lose touch with each other altogether and evaporate!

More complex objects that contain more molecules do not melt, but if the heat is turned up long enough, they may just burst into flames!

More Homemade Ice Pops

• 10 Popsicle Recipes - Today's Creative Blog
  Ten very creative popsicle recipes. These are unique!

© 2012 Sharon Bellissimo

Do you like Fudgesicles?

Susan Zutautas from Ontario, Canada on July 29, 2013:

I've never thought of making my own Fudgesicle's before but will have to try this. Yummy lens!

Takkhis on July 02, 2013:

I want to have one right now, it is a bit warm here! :)

Angela F from Seattle, WA on May 25, 2013:

Fudgesicles are always in the freezer in the summer.

WebWriteGirl LM on February 10, 2013:

I sure do!

Magda2012 on November 24, 2012:

I want to try your recipe. looks yummy :)

Joan Haines on September 02, 2012:

Are you kidding? They're one of the best things ever! I can't believe how easy they are to make. What a good idea, so you can make sure the ingredients are the ones you want! "Squid Angel blessed."

malena10 on August 09, 2012:

Great lens, congrats for purple star!

GeekGirl1 on July 30, 2012:

Thanks for sharing this. I will make some for myself.

GeekGirl1 on July 30, 2012:

Thanks for sharing this. I will make some for myself.

JoshK47 on July 25, 2012:

I love 'em, and I'd certainly love to make them for myself! Great lens! Blessed by a SquidAngel!

Onemargaret LM on July 23, 2012:

I grew up eating Fudgesicles. Never made them though. I might do so after reading your lens. Thank you.

catbehaviors on July 21, 2012:

Oh yes, I love them!

gavin-harris-904 on July 21, 2012:

THEY TASTE AMAZING

MartieG aka 'survivoryea' from Jersey Shore on July 20, 2012:

These are my husbands very favorite - Must try making them :>)

MermaidDoc on July 19, 2012:

Yes, they're very yummy but I think I like Revolo's better :)

getmoreinfo on July 19, 2012:

I love Fudgesicles, now I can make my own with this recipe.

queenofduvetcover on July 19, 2012:

Yes I do!! Great lens. =)

Gayle Dowell from Kansas on July 18, 2012:

What a great recipe for these hot summer days!

Close2Art LM on July 18, 2012:

thanks for the recipe and instructions, this will be fun to make, BLESSED!!!

Mickie Gee on July 17, 2012:

I love fudgesicles! Especially the Weight Watchers' brand.

Erin Hardison from Memphis, TN on July 17, 2012:

I like them a lot! This looks like a great recipe

MoniqueDesigns on July 17, 2012:

Great lens, I love them.

Senditondown from US on July 17, 2012:

Yes, they sure hit the spot on a warm day.

purpleslug on July 17, 2012:

Love them!!!!!

SheilaMilne from Kent, UK on July 17, 2012:

I've never tried one but I'm sure I would. My grandmother had one of those shops too, but hers was in Ireland. Memories, memories.

gatornic15 on July 16, 2012:

I do love fudgesicles, and now I am hungry for one. Blessed

ryanhx64 on July 16, 2012:

off to the store now cya

TamarWrites on July 16, 2012:

My favorites are the white ones!

Rose Jones on July 16, 2012:

Excellent lens - informative, personal. The science was great - no one else tried that as far as I saw. Squid angel blessed and congrats on front page honors.

TheresaMarkham on July 16, 2012:

Love fudgesicles & love this lens! Great work!

bordercollieluvr on July 16, 2012:

great lens - do you happen to have a recipe for DOG frozen yogurt popsicles - I want some of those stainless steel popsicle makers.

AJ from Australia on July 15, 2012:

Delicious. A recipe, a little bit of science and calories all in one! Congratulations on your Purple Star recognition. Blessings.

Rosaquid on July 12, 2012:

Thanks for the recipe. these look delicious!

Mary Crowther from Havre de Grace on July 10, 2012:

I still love fudgesicles to this day!

Sharon Bellissimo (author) from Toronto, Canada on July 10, 2012:

@VeseliDan: Thank you for the blessing, it seems fudgesicles were a popular childhood treat!

VeseliDan on July 10, 2012:

I just love Fudgesicles, they are great. I ate them my whole childhood and this was a remember to my childhood. Blessed.

Sharon Bellissimo (author) from Toronto, Canada on July 09, 2012:

@Ramkitten2000: Hahaha great idea!

Deb Kingsbury from Flagstaff, Arizona on July 09, 2012:

LOVE Fudgesicles! I used to eat way too many of them when I was a kid. I'm glad they make a light version now that actually tastes really good. So now I can eat TWICE as many. :)