Ah, the classic Creamsicle. It may not surprise you to learn that the basics of this nostalgic summertime staple were dreamed up by an 11-year-old. Here’s how it happened, and why weather was such an important factor in its creation.

In 1905, an 11-year-old northern California resident named Frank Epperson accidentally left a wooden stick in a cup of soda he’d been drinking outside on a cold day. The temperatures dropped enough overnight that, by the next morning, the child discovered that the soda in the cup had frozen, allowing him to use the stick to pull it out of the cup and eat it. After sharing his discovery with all the kids in his neighborhood, Epperson would eventually patent it as something he called the “Epsicle.” While that name wasn’t exactly catchy, when Epperson eventually had children of his own, years later, they came up with a name that did catch on: they referred to his tasty treats as “Pop’s sicles,” which eventually became, of course, popsicle.

By the 1930s, Epperson sold his popsicle company to the Joe Lowe Company, who created the creamsicle innovation, in which the a creamy-centered ice cream treat is surrounded by a layer of fruity coating, in 1937. And the rest, as they say, is delicious summertime history.

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If you’re like me, you’ve probably enjoyed many a creamsicle without ever thinking about making your own at home. But it’s actually quite easy. Here’s how you can make your own in just ten minutes! Pro tip- it might seem more gourmet to use fresh orange juice rather than concentrate, but the concentrate actually packs the best orange punch, which is crucial to achieve the perfect nostalgic taste with these.

Dairy-free option: If you (or your kids/ family) are dairy-free, just put in coconut milk instead of heavy cream, and substitute vegan yogurt.

Classic Orange Creamsicles

Orange Base

12 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/8 tsp. kosher salt

Orange food coloring (optional)

Vanilla Yogurt Base

1 cup full-fat plain yogurt

1 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/8 tsp. kosher salt

Necessary Equipment

10 3 oz. popsicle molds

Directions:

Orange Base

Start by making the orange layer in a blender. Combine orange juice concentrate, cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt, then blend on medium-low speed until everything is well mixed. If you want a more vibrant orange color, add a small amount of food coloring and continue blending until you reach your desired shade. Pour the mixture into a medium bowl, cover it, and refrigerate until you're ready to assemble the pops.

Vanilla Yogurt Base and Assembly

For the vanilla layer, whisk together yogurt, cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt in another medium bowl until smooth. Cover and refrigerate this mixture as well. When you're ready to make the pops, pour one heaping tablespoon of the yogurt base into each 3-ounce ice pop mold, followed by one tablespoon of the orange base. Continue alternating between the two bases until you've filled all ten molds and used up both mixtures.

Freezing and Serving

Cover the molds and insert the popsicle sticks, then freeze overnight until completely firm. When you're ready to serve, briefly dip each mold in warm water to help easily release the pops.