Orange Creamsicle Popsicles

Wohhaaa!! It has about time that there is an ice cream recipe on the blog… and we are starting off with these beautiful Orange Creamsicle Popsicles 😍.

I do not know about you, but ice cream is truly a vice of mine. In all forms as well – scoop it, package it, popsicle it – I am here for it 🤣! It definitely is my kryptonite. Back in the day, my mother used to pour orange juice in little popsicle moulds and would freeze them for us to have. This was possibly the most “healthiest” it got around ours… things were different in the 80s and early 90s 😉.

Technically, these Orange Creamsicle Popsicles are not that different. But – instead of orange juice (which is higher in sugar and lacks nutrients), I am using the whole fruit, which includes fiber and other important nutrients. The “creamy” bit comes from the addition of cashews that are blended together with the fruit. I am then adding a touch of maple because frozen things tend to taste way less sweet. You will also notice that I have added a sprinkle of salt. This may sound unusual but it will draw out the flavors of the oranges and it works like a charm 🤩.

Why are these Orange Creamsicle Popsicles good for you?

Oranges

Delicious, sweet oranges. Depending on the variety, oranges tend to be around from winter all the way through summer. They are known for their amazing vitamin C content (made very popular by a lot of branding efforts in the ’90s), but they also have so many more benefits. They are high in fiber, folate, and contain a range of phytonutrients that are beneficial for our body and health. One phytonutrient called “herperidin” deserves to be singled out. It has been shown to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels in animal studies. It also appears to have amazing anti-inflammatory benefits. Herperidin is mainly found under the skin and the whiteish layer of the orange. Thus, when juicing oranges most herperidin’s benefits tends to be removed.

There has also been some research that indicates that Oranges may be beneficial for your heart health. This may be the case through a multitude of factors. (1) Folate lowers levels of homocysteine, which can be a cardiovascular risk indicator. (2) Potassium helps to lower blood pressure and thereby also simultaneously protects against strokes. (3) The phytonutrient and antioxidants in Oranges have all been shown to be beneficial for your heart health.

Cashews

I have not raved about cashews in a little while, even though I am fully aware that it tends to be my “make it dairy-free but still taste creamy” ingredient choice is. For anyone who does not know, Cashews are actually the seed that is at the bottom of a cashew apple. They are home to Nothern Brazil and whereas we tend to not see the fruit often (or at all) it is a delicacy in Brazil. I had the privilege to taste one once and they are incredibly sour and super high in Vitamin C. Cashews are high in unsaturated fatty acids, as well as healthy monounsaturated fats.

Monounsaturated fats (when added to a low-fat diet) can reduce high triglyceride levels. High triglyceride levels can be an indicator of an increased risk of heart disease. In addition, the antioxidants found in Cashews (and other nuts) may be one of the main reasons why nuts are so important for your heart health. There are several studies that have shown a significant reduction of risk for cardiovascular disease in people who regularly consume nuts versus those who do not.

How can I adjust these Orange Creamsicle Popsicles to my dietary requirements?

This recipe is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, industrialized sugar-free, and paleo (if you do eat a bit of sweetness). Due to the cashews used, it is unfortunately not nut-free.

Other frozen recipes on the blog

Side note – I think I need to create more “cooling” recipes for the summertime… the list of recipes that are cold or coming from the freezer is not too long currently on the blog 🤣

• There is my new, and delicious addiction Semi-Frozen Key Lime Pie
• My Coconut Chocolate Bites are also enjoyed best straight from the freezer and super delicious during the summer time

And that is it for this week 🤗! I hope you enjoyed this easy summer treat (we are literally having it every day at the moment 🤣). As always, let me how you get on with the recipe by either leaving me a starred rating and/or a comment. Enjoy!