Did you know that out of the five senses, the sense most heavily connected with memories is smell? It’s true! This is because the olfactory system is closely connected to the amygdala and hippocampus parts of the brain, which are largely responsible for memory and emotion. This is why it’s often said that “smell and emotion are stored as one memory.” Interesting, right?

This is also why food plays a popular role in memories. Flavor is defined by smell, so there’s no better way to make a memory than with food! And summer is prime memory-making time. Summer foods like ripe peaches, raspberries, and watermelon are some of the top that come to mind. One of my favorite ways to memory-make with the flavors of summer is to get in the kitchen with my kids and make popsicles using summer’s produce.

OLIPOP is amazing as a flavor base for a popsicle, and there’s none better than the new Peaches & Cream flavor or the popular Banana Cream—both are summer in a can! One sip can transport you to summer days of cookouts with friends, poolside with the family, slow humid afternoons, or catching fireflies at night. That’s why these flavors were my inspiration for two OLIPOPsicle recipes…. 

Join me as I share a little bit of popsicle wisdom alongside two OLIPOPsicle recipes featuring my favorite OLIPOP summer flavors: Peaches & Cream and Banana Cream. Let’s dive in!

Tips for Making Popsicles

Before you start making OLIPOPsicles, I want to share a little bit of popsicle science tips and tricks to help with your popsicle-making this summer:

1. Popsicles are best when they have smaller ice crystals: Just freezing a liquid will create large ice crystals, making for an unpleasant popsicle experience! Instead, try adding a small amount of honey (or simple syrup). This will help lower the freezing point of the pop, making smaller ice crystals so it’s easier to bite into and enjoy.
2. Add fruit: I love adding fruit to popsicles; it’s a great way to boost nutrition. Chop the fruit into small bits to help with mouthfeel. Or leave in the large chunks of fruit—this creates beautiful (and “Instagrammable”) photos!
3. Put that leftover smoothie to work: Why waste a perfectly good smoothie? Instead of tossing, pour your leftover smoothie into the popsicle mold—it’s a simple, easy way to make a creamy popsicle. 
4. Popsicle stick pro: Place plastic wrap over the filled popsicle, then gently insert the popsicle stick through the top. The plastic wrap will hold it in place as the popsicle freezes!
5. Freezing with care: Leave 1/2 inch space free at the top of each popsicle mold so the popsicle has room to expand as it freezes.
6. Time to enjoy: To easily release frozen pops, just run the popsicle mold under a bit of warm running water.

Now that you’re armed with these popsicle tips, it’s time to get to the popsicle-making! Here are two of my favorite OLIPOPsicle recipes.

Peaches & Cream OLIPOPsicle  

Ripe peaches are the definition of deep summer days, and Peaches & Cream captured that perfectly. If you agree, then you’ll love the peach and raspberry combo of this OLIPOPsicle, with a touch of creamy whip. This popsicle tastes like a peach pie, with a scoop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of fresh raspberries. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 can Peaches & Cream 
• 1-2 tablespoons raw honey, plus a little more!
• 1/4 cup fresh raspberries
• 6 fresh or frozen peach slices
• Coconut whip topping

Instructions:

1. In a pourable bowl, add OLIPOP and 1-2 tablespoons honey. Whisk together (the soda will foam up a bit!). Set aside.
2. In a small bowl, mash raspberries with about 2 teaspoons of honey using the back of a fork until they are a jam-like consistency. Take a small scoop of raspberries and spread them on the side of each popsicle mold and into the bottom. 
3. If desired, chop peaches and distribute them into each popsicle mold. Spread about 1-2 tablespoons of whipped topping into each mold as well.
4. Gently pour Barbie Peaches & Cream OLIPOP into each popsicle mold, leaving 1/2 inch space at the top. Carefully insert popsicle sticks. If needed, place plastic wrap over molds, then insert popsicle sticks to ensure they stay in place.
5. Freeze overnight. Enjoy! 

Banana Cream Pie OLIPOPsicle

This next popsicle gets its inspiration from Banana Cream Pie—and turns it into a popsicle, using OLIPOP Banana Cream as its base. It’s dreamy and delicious and will be the perfect flavor memory of summer. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 can Banana Cream
• 1 - 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 large banana, cut into slices
• Coconut whip
• 6 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
• 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil

Instructions:

1. In a pourable bowl, add OLIPOP and 1-2 tablespoons honey, whisking together. Set aside.
2. Add a few slices of banana to each popsicle mold. Use about a tablespoon of coconut whip and spread it around the sides of the popsicle mold.
3. Pour the OLIPOP mixture into each mold, leaving 1/2 inch at the top for expansion as it freezes. 
4. Freeze pops for 1 hour. 
5. In a small bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle on the top of each popsicle mold (which will be the bottom of the popsicle), pressing it gently on the top. Add popsicle sticks.
6. Place the popsicles back in the freezer until completely frozen—usually overnight—and then remove them from the molds.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Once you’re familiar with the art of popsicle science, you’ll notice it’s super easy to get creative. Plus, there are so many popsicle flavors to try, your options are practically endless. For example, OLIPOP Classic Grape and Tropical Punch also make great flavor bases. So go off and have fun making popsicles and soaking up the flavors—and memories—of summer with OLIPOP.

Meet our Expert This article is written by Annessa Chumbley, RD.  Annessa Chumbley is a mom, award-winning Dietitian, 2x Emmy-nominated former TV anchor, recipe creator, and spokesperson who cares deeply about encouraging and inspiring people to make memories in the kitchen and fall in love with healthful food. She has been a national healthy living spokesperson for several brands & grocers. Annessa's health tips and recipes have been featured in segments on morning shows and in print media all over the country. Annessa comes from a big, food-loving family and can usually be found in the kitchen making (messy) memories with her kids.