Carrot-Ginger Ice Pops

These citrusy carrot popsicles are just the thing to make when you’re in need of a refreshing treat that’s good for you to boot. All you need are four simple ingredients: oranges, carrot juice, strawberries, and fresh ginger. They're dairy-free and have no added sugar, plus they're packed with beta-carotene, an antioxidant found in carrots that boasts numerous health benefits.

Kids will gravitate to the vibrant orange color and bright, citrusy flavor of these bars, while you’ll like how simple they are to make: Just prep the oranges, toss everything in the blender, and pour into ice pop molds. After a few hours in the freezer, you'll be ready to cool down with a tasty homemade treat that you can feel great about serving.

Four Simple Ingredients for Carrot Popsicles

Carrot juice: Don't let the vegetable element of this recipe throw you off—bright orange and sweet, carrot juice gives these pops a vibrant color with a taste that blends right in with the other ingredients. Look for refrigerated carrot juice in the produce department, or find shelf-stable options with the other juices.

Oranges: You'll need to trim the peels and pith from a couple of oranges before tossing the fruit into the blender. The easiest way to do this is to slice off the very top and bottom of each one, then set the orange cut side down and slice off the peel and pith in sections, following the shape of the sphere. Chop the fruit, then pick through to remove any seeds.

Strawberries: You can use fresh or frozen strawberries for this recipe. To hull strawberries, either slice off the tops to remove the leaves and stem, or use a paring knife to cut around the stem and pop the hull out.

Ginger: A few teaspoons of fresh ginger add a subtle, zingy kick to these pops, but you can certainly leave it out for a more neutral flavor. Use the edge of a spoon to scrape, rather than a vegetable peeler, the skin off the ginger before chopping.

How to Make This Recipe Without an Ice Pop Mold

If you don't have an ice pop mold, don't fret—you can still make these popsicles. Divide the mixture among small paper or plastic cups instead, then cover each with a piece of plastic wrap or foil and insert a popsicle stick. Place them on a baking sheet or tray and freeze; cut away the cup before serving.