Creamsicles: the forgotten ice pop treat?

Of course, that's just personal opinion. I'm over 40 so I'm not exactly the demo for popsicles, but do people still eat these in the same number that we ate them when I was a kid? I remember some people hated these things, because they were more traditional popsicle kids. But I liked them once in a while, though I think I would have reached for a popsicle or Fudgsicle first.

Anyway, today is National Creamsicle Day (not to be confused with a Dreamsicle!), and it sounds pretty good, considering the heat wave that a lot of the U.S. is going through right now. And if you're outside the U.S., do you have these things or a similar product?

And if you're an adult, maybe you could try this.

After I posted about the Pickle Sickle, I came across the above at superlocal's flickr page. It's a picture of a truly great popsicle from Korea. It's watermelon-flavored, and the "seeds" are actually chocolate chips.

We need something like this in the U.S. Regular popsicles and fudgsicles and those things that look like red, white and blue rocket ships are fine, but this is really a work of art. And doesn't it just look refreshing?

Actually, I'm having a flashback to my childhood. I think I had something like this when I was a kid. I'm not sure if it was on a stick or maybe a treat that was watermelon-slice shaped that came in a box. Anyone else remember something like this or am I thinking of something else?

[via Serious Eats]

I love popsicles, although I do tend to keep away from the overly sugary day-glo variety I preferred on hot days when I was 6. Times and tastes change, but one thing about popsicles does not: they drip. Skilled popsicle eaters will navigate their way around and catch all drips before they fall, but usually kids aren't so resourceful and end up with sticky hands. Parents might want to take note that sticky fingers can be avoided with DripCatchers, which are thin cellulose sponges that catch drips before they can leave the popsicle. The expand as they get dripped on, so they'll never miss a drop. They all have different designs on them (and can be custom done, too), so they're fun enough to appeal to kids and not just to parents who want less-sticky children. They're $6.95 for 24.

Is Fear Factor your favorite show, but you don't like the idea of eating icky things enough to apply? Do you have small children who think it's fun/entertaining to eat variously gross foods? The Popsicle company is coming to your rescue! Unlike the Cherry Chip Bada Bing! ice cream sandwiches, which tie in to the hit Sopranos show via name alone, the new Fear Factor Pop-Ups try to get the eater involved in the spirit of the program. The sour cherry flavored pop has an eyeball gum-ball atop it and the sour watermelon flavor is coated with "sour lemon slime." There are only four pops in a box, but that should provide more than enough ammunition for your child to gross out the neighbor's kids - at least for one afternoon.