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    TaraTeaspoon » Recipes » Frozen Treats

    Mini Ice Cream Pops – No Mold Needed

    Published: Jul 8, 2020 · Updated: Mar 17, 2023 by Tara Teaspoon · This page contains affiliate and sponsored links. See my full disclosure

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    ice cream pops recipe pin
    ice cream pops no mold needed recipe pin
    summer dessert recipe pin
    mini ice cream pops pin image

    Mini ice cream pops are as easy as can be. If you can scoop ice cream, you can make these treats. Add sprinkles and you have a playful summer dessert for a crowd.


    Ice cream pops that I don't have to put in a special mold? I'm in! These little bites are also totally customizable. Use store-bought ice cream, melted chocolate and sprinkles to make cute ice cream pops for summer.

    Pops on a geometric platter
    Jump to:
    • Ice cream pops without a mold
    • How to freeze ice cream scoops ahead:
    • How to make mini ice cream pops:
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ice cream pops without a mold

    Mini ice cream pops are completely more fun than simple ice cream scoops in a bowl. Plus they are great to feed a crowd because you make them ahead. No fussing with melting ice cream and scoops when you want to be chatting with friends.

    I have a few tips and tricks for scooping ice cream ahead. Keep reading!

    This recipe is simple. I pre-scooped store-bought vanilla ice cream balls, dipped them in melted white chocolate and sprinkles, and froze them again. You can also make my homemade eggless Vanilla Ice Cream recipe.

    Just how do I get little scoops of ice cream to stay frozen on sticks long enough to dip them in chocolate and sprinkles? I'll show you a tip.

    How to freeze ice cream scoops ahead:

    To freeze any size ice cream scoop ahead (this is a great tip for sundae parties), I wrap a rimmed baking sheet in plastic wrap as my tray.

    When you put ice cream directly on a baking sheet, even if the metal is cold, the ice cream scoop will start to melt, and, if nothing else, get misshaped and flat on one side. I create a little soft insulation for them to keep this from happening!

    Freezing balls on a plastic-wrapped sheet tray

    How to make mini ice cream pops:

    1. First, make sure your baking sheet can fit in your freezer. You'll be popping it in and out every few scoops. I like little quarter sheet pans. They are roughly 9-by-13-inches so they fit well in my already packed freezer! (In a pinch you can use an actual 9-by-13-inch baking pan with deeper rims. The rims are essential because you want to create an air cushion under the ice cream. Plastic wrap directly on a cookie sheet surface would not work.
    2. Wrap plastic wrap (check out this cutter) tightly in both directions on the baking sheet. You want to create a taut surface for the scoops to sit on.
    3. Pre-scoop your ice cream, add the sticks and refreeze those scoops until they are pretty darn firm.
    4. Quickly dip scoops in the melted (and cooled) chocolate and sprinkles. You can put the decorated pops right back on this special tray if you want.

    Ice cream sprinkles

    I used a few colors of sprinkles for mine, and white chocolate. You can use melted candy coating as well! And please, play around with the sprinkles you use. They are fun to color coordinate with birthday parties and holidays!

    1. Fill medium bowls with each color of sprinkles so you can hold the homemade ice cream pops over the bowls and generously sprinkle. If you are trying to keep your decorating in little tiny cute bowls it will just make a mess!

    You can find more of my delicious ice cream recipes on the blog. Try making these with homemade chocolate ice cream for another special summer treat.

    For cool ice cream mix-ins click over to 24 Ice Cream Flavors You Can Make.

    📖 Recipe

    mini ice cream pops with orange, yellow and green candy sprinkles on white platter

    Easy To Make Mini Ice-Cream Pops

    Tara Teaspoon
    These two-bite treats are pretty, delicious and a cinch to make. What's not to love?
    4.56 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Work Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 25 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Servings 14 pops

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pint ice cream (any flavor)
    • 14 large toothpicks or cocktail sticks
    • 10 oz white chocolate, chopped
    • ½ cup colored sprinkles

    Instructions
     

    • Wrap a rimmed baking sheet tightly with plastic, creating a surface of plastic with an air pocket underneath. Scoop ice cream into balls using a 1-inch scoop and place in rows on plastic wrap; insert a toothpick in each and freeze until solid.
    • Note: I keep the tray in the freezer and quickly place the scoops onto it. I let them freeze for a few minutes and then insert the toothpicks. This will insure they stay cold.
    • Gently melt white chocolate and pour into a bowl; allow to cool to room temperature. Dip ice-cream balls in chocolate, spooning it over each ball to cover completely, then immediately coat with sprinkles. Return to the tray in the freezer and freeze until firm.

    Notes

    Fill medium bowls with each color of sprinkle so you can hold the homemade ice cream pops over the bowls and generously sprinkle. If you are trying to keep your decorating in little tiny cute bowls it will just make a mess!
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 203kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 2gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 45mgPotassium: 125mgFiber: 1gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 148IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 84mgIron: 1mg
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    Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!

    More about Tara

    Recipe by Tara. Photography by Kate Mathis. Food Stylist Alison Attenborough. Prop stylist Gerri Williams. Originally published LHJ June 09.

    Comments

      4.56 from 9 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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    1. Becky Tarala says

      July 03, 2018 at 9:15 am

      These look like little bites of heaven!

      Reply
    2. Deb @Cooking on the Front Burner says

      July 03, 2018 at 10:27 pm

      These seriously are the cutest! I think my grandkids would love these and so would I!

      Reply
    3. Mary Bench says

      July 16, 2018 at 5:50 pm

      How delightful! What a great idea!

      Reply
    4. Brittany Smart says

      July 19, 2018 at 1:47 pm

      These are adorable and I'm obsessed with sprinkles so it's a perfect recipe in my book!!

      Reply
    5. Anne Marie Miller says

      June 28, 2019 at 10:40 am

      Such a fun idea and so doable! The perfect way to serve ice cream at a party!

      Reply
    6. Ruby Neff says

      July 26, 2020 at 9:12 pm

      I love how this takes ice cream-- which can be pretty boring on its own-- and makes it exciting!

      Reply
    7. Britney says

      August 19, 2020 at 1:01 am

      Ice cream on the go?! It's the perfect summer party treat!

      Reply
    8. Makani says

      October 05, 2020 at 8:12 pm

      What kind of chocolate do you melt and cool that doesn't harden??

      Reply
    9. Megan Palmer says

      January 05, 2021 at 9:20 pm

      10/10 for this recipe!

      Reply
    10. Rachel says

      May 29, 2021 at 11:14 am

      These ice cream scoops are adorable! I love individual serving sizes, especially when entertaining. I’m going to try using large bubble wrap on the rimmed baking sheet with a sheet of plastic wrap on top and see how that works for keeping the round shape.

      Reply
      • Tara Teaspoon says

        June 03, 2021 at 10:29 am

        Awesome. Yes the technique really does help.

        Reply

    Hi, I'm Tara Teaspoon!

    I’ve been sharing my original ideas for years. What began as a passion, turned into a publishing career as Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living and Ladies’ Home Journal magazines.

    Now I write cookbooks, and share delicious recipes and expert cooking tips with you here! Thanks for stopping by Tara Teaspoon!

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