Strawberry Matcha Latte Popsicles

Last July when my apartment AC broke, I found myself standing in front of the freezer door just to feel the cool air escape. That desperate heat wave led me to experiment with freezing everything in my fridge, including my morning matcha latte and a container of strawberries about to turn. The result was so stunningly beautiful that I honestly forgot about the heat for about ten minutes.

I brought a batch to a friends rooftop gathering and watched actual adults light up when they saw them. Someone said they reminded her of those expensive matcha strawberry soft serve cups from Tokyo, which I took as the highest compliment imaginable. Now theyre requested for every poolside hang.

Ingredients

• Fresh strawberries: Use berries that are deep red and fragrant since theyre the star of the bottom layer, and avoid ones with white shoulders which lack sweetness
• Honey or maple syrup: This sweetens the fruit layer naturally while helping the strawberries freeze into a smoother texture without icy crystals
• Fresh lemon juice: Just a teaspoon brightens all the strawberry flavors and prevents them from tasting flat after freezing
• Culinary-grade matcha powder: Spring or ceremonial grade works best here because lower grades can taste bitter and grassy in frozen treats
• Sweetened condensed milk: This is what gives the matcha layer that incredibly creamy ice cream-like texture while keeping everything emulsified

Instructions

Blend the strawberry base:

Pulse the strawberries with honey and lemon juice until completely smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides once to ensure no chunks remain. Taste and add a touch more honey if your berries are particularly tart.

Freeze the first layer:

Pour the strawberry puree into your molds, filling only halfway, and freeze for 30 to 45 minutes until firm enough to hold the second layer without mixing. Set a timer because this window matters for getting clean lines between layers.

Prepare the matcha:

Whisk the matcha powder with hot water in a small bowl using a bamboo whisk or tiny fork until completely dissolved and frothy. Take your time here because any undissolved clumps will sink to the bottom of your popsicles.

Mix the creamy layer:

Combine the milk, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla in a separate bowl, then pour in your dissolved matcha and whisk until uniform and pale green. The mixture should look like a perfectly latte.

Layer and finish:

Gently pour the matcha mixture over each frozen strawberry layer, filling the molds to the top, then insert sticks and freeze for at least six hours. To serve, run the molds under warm water for ten seconds and pull gently.

Save

My neighbor texted me at midnight asking for the recipe after her teenage daughter kept raving about them. There is something about that first bite where the creamy matcha hits the bright strawberry that just makes people pause and smile.

Making It Dairy-Free

Coconut condensed milk works beautifully here and adds a subtle tropical note that actually pairs really well with the matcha. Just be sure to use full-fat canned coconut milk if you are making your own condensed version since low-fat versions can freeze icy and hard.

Getting Clean Layers

If you want that perfect sharp line between colors, let the strawberry layer freeze completely solid before adding the matcha. The tradeoff is you may need to use a chopstick to gently create a shallow channel for the second layer to settle into.

Serving Ideas

These are stunning on their own but become something special with a few thoughtful extras on the side. I have found that people love customizing their own popsicle experience.

• Sprinkle with chia seeds right after pouring the matcha layer for a pretty dotted effect
• Offer a small bowl of extra diced strawberries for dipping
• Dust the tops with a tiny pinch of matcha powder just before serving for a restaurant style finish

Save

Something about pulling these out on a sweltering afternoon makes everyone slow down and actually savor the moment. Hope they bring you as many cool, sweet moments as they have brought me.

Recipe FAQ

→ How long do these need to freeze?

Allow at least 6 hours for the popsicles to freeze completely. The strawberry layer needs 30-45 minutes to set before adding the matcha mixture, ensuring clean, defined layers.

→ Can I make these dairy-free?

Absolutely. Substitute whole milk with oat, almond, or coconut milk and use coconut condensed milk instead of dairy condensed milk. The texture remains creamy and delicious.

→ What type of matcha works best?

Culinary-grade matcha powder is ideal as it's specifically designed for baking and blending into drinks. ceremonial grade works too but is more expensive and unnecessary for this application.

→ How do I prevent layers from mixing?

Freeze the strawberry layer until just set but not completely solid before pouring the matcha mixture on top. This creates a firm base that prevents the liquids from blending together.

→ Can I use frozen strawberries?

Fresh strawberries work best for texture and flavor, but you can use frozen strawberries that have been thawed and drained well. You may need to adjust the honey slightly depending on sweetness.

→ How should I store leftovers?

Keep popsicles frozen in their molds or remove and wrap individually in parchment paper. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.