As you might have guessed…yep, it’s still too hot to bake today 😀 Actually, let me clarify that. I got up early this morning to make cheesecake swirl blondies. But, they turned out more like a bland, thick cake with a cheesecake mess on top. Yuck. So, technically, it was too hot to bake again 😀 Oh, well. Sometimes failure leads you to better things. Things like root beer float popsicles. When I decided to make the cookies and cream popsicles the other day, this choice was a very close second. So, I decided to give these a try. After all, one of my family’s favorite beat the Chicago summer heat treats is a root beer float. My kids love it because it is one of the rare occasions that they get to indulge in a soda. They always mix it together immediately into a thick root beer float milkshake. Not me. I prefer to take a small scoop from the ice cream and fill the rest of the spoon with soda and then eat it, spoonful by spoonful. However you eat them, root beer floats are simply delicious.
Most recipes I see for root beer float pops are just root beer layered with vanilla ice cream. Good, but not great. How do you make them great? You make homemade vanilla custard to layer with the root beer. It is really easy and so worth the extra effort. Don’t worry about the egg yolks. Even if they do get a little bit scrambled, you can strain the custard and it will still be perfect. The only downside is that it does take some time because you have to freeze between each layer so they don’t all run together. And, though they would still taste delicious, and I know Jack and Sammie wouldn’t care, I would! 😀
So, the next time you have a hankering for a root beer float, go on and ditch the mugs and make these fun pops instead.
Root Beer Float Popsicles
Yield: 12 to 14 pops
1 cup (8 fl oz/250mL) heavy cream
1 cup (8fl oz/250mL) whole milk
4 large egg yolks
1/3 cup (3oz/90g) sugar
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
2 cups (16 fl oz/500mL) root beer – Open at least 30 minutes before using. I used IBC
In a heavy saucepan over med-high heat, warm the cream and milk until the mixture just comes to a simmer, about 5 minutes. In a heatproof bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, vanilla and salt until the mixture doubles in volume, 2 minutes. Slowly pour half of the warm cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking until smooth. Pour the mixture into the saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon, 1 to 2 minutes. Do not boil. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl and cool completely over an ice bath. I skipped the sieve since my custard mixture looked smooth.
If using conventional ice pop molds, fill the mold 1/4 full with the vanilla custard and freeze until partially frozen, about 30 minutes. Pour in the root beer, filling the molds until they are half full, and again, freeze until partially frozen, about 30 minutes. Pour in the remaining vanilla custard, filling until the molds are 3/4 full. I had custard left. If using sticks, insert them into the molds and freeze until almost completely solid, about 1 hour. Fill the molds with the remaining root beer. Cover and freeze until solid, at least 2.5 hours or up to 3 days. (It is not recommended to use carbonated beverages in instant ice pop makers like Zokus).
Source: Ice Pops: Recipes for Fresh and Flavorful Frozen Treats
Eva @ Eva Bakes
/ July 11, 2012I absolutely adore root beer floats and know I would love them in Popsicle form! These look so, so good!
atasteofmadess
/ July 11, 2012This sounds perfect on a hot day! It’s ALMOST too hot too bake here, but not quite. When it reaches that state, I may try some of these, thank you!
Choc Chip Uru
/ July 11, 2012When it is too hot it is just too got my friend – these are the perfect refreshment 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Abby
/ July 13, 2012These are so fun! Don’t tell the ice cream in my freezer but I actually prefer frozen custard too. And congrats on top 9 🙂
Just Baked
/ July 13, 2012Thanks so much Abby. 😀 Frozen custard is so good!
Deena
/ July 13, 2012Awesome idea! If I saw these being sold on the street in NYC I would totally stop and buy one. Unique!
Just Baked
/ July 13, 2012Thanks Deena!
Leslie @ flora foodie
/ July 13, 2012SUCH a good idea!!!
Just Baked
/ July 14, 2012Thank you Leslie. This book has so many great popsicle ideas. I can’t wait to try them all 😀
biscuitsandbobbins
/ July 13, 2012Found you from the top 9 on foodbuzz. These pops are just so cute. Love the stripes, and play on a tried and true favorite. Just the thing for a hot summer day like today…
Just Baked
/ July 13, 2012Thank you so much! I love the stripes too. This book has so many fun pops, I had a hard time choosing. I can’t wait to try the others and share, of course. 😀 Popsicles are perfect for weather like this!
Suzi
/ July 13, 2012These are so cool, who doesn’t love a root beer float. Congrats on the Top 9!
Just Baked
/ July 13, 2012Thanks you so much, Suzi! I agree. Really, what’s not to love about a root beer float? 😀
Caitlin
/ July 13, 2012How cute are those?! Loving the stripes. I wish it was too hot to bake here…I’m drinking hot tea on a foggy day in SF 😦 Congrats on Top 9!
Just Baked
/ July 13, 2012Thank you so much Caitlin! I love the stripes too. 😀
Amanda
/ April 25, 2013These look amazing! Where can I find that popsicle mold to make these?
Just Baked
/ April 29, 2013I got them on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002IBJOG/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i02
Monique
/ July 11, 2014Hello. We are launching a new children’s magazine in 2015 and are looking for blogs featuring kid friendly recipes to feature. Are you interested in allowing us to use some of your recipes along with your images, and of course we’ll list your blog under the recipe. It’s great advertising for you and a lot less work for us (our magazine has a very small recipe section so this is not our area of expertise). Please let us know soon if you are interested. Thank you.
Just Baked
/ July 14, 2014Sure. Thank you for asking.
Heather Hall
/ August 25, 2014These look amazing. Popsicles are a huge hit in our house and we love love love IBC. It’s our favorite root beer. Have you ever tried any of the other flavors in desserts?