11 Creamsicle Recipes to Get You Through the August Heat

Labneh Panna Cotta with Orange Blossom Granita Recipe
Photo: Tara Donne

Is there anything that pulls at those nostalgia strings more than a Creamsicle? The orange-and-vanilla combination is the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, and the classic popsicles are an ideal way to beat the heat. So we've pulled together 11 recipes that echo the flavors of this summertime favorite with a little flair.

01 of 11

Tangelo Creamsicles

Tangelo Creamsicles

© Reed Davis

Chef Suzanne Goin's refreshing take on a creamsicle is as easy as one-two-eat. It's kind of like a root beer float but with citrus juice as the liquid. All you need is a cup, a spoon, vanilla ice cream, and tangelo juice — but orange juice works just as well.

02 of 11

Olive Oil Cake with Buttercream Frosting and Sour Candied Oranges

Citrus Olive Oil Cake with Buttercream Frosting
Photo by Sarah Crowder / Food Styling by Drew Aichele

Pastry chef Paola Velez's stunning buttercream-coated olive oil cake is made with a bit of buckwheat flour, which adds color and a deep earthy flavor to the cake. It's garnished with candied oranges that have been dredged in a mixture of sugar, salt, and citric acid.

03 of 11

Labneh Panna Cotta with Orange Blossom Granita

Labneh Panna Cotta with Orange Blossom Granita Recipe
Tara Donne

This dessert is all about contrast — in temperature, texture, and flavor. Smooth and creamy panna cotta is paired with a lightly floral, lightly sweet granita for an icy, cool bite. A base of tangy, tart apricot jam and a garnish of crispy crumbled toasted baguette finishes off each plate.

04 of 11

Vanilla Old-Fashioned

Vanilla Old-Fashioned

© Frances Janisch

This one is for those who'd like their Creamsicle in liquid form. Muddled vanilla bean and orange zest are reminiscent of the classic childhood flavors, but then there's the addition of bourbon to make this drink adults-only.

05 of 11

Vanilla-Orange Flan

Vanilla-Orange Flan

© Petrina Tinslay

Chef Jose Garces' vanilla-orange flan isn't a Creamsicle per se, but the flavors are all there, with the addition of salt, basil, and Cointreau.

06 of 11

Buttermilk Creamsicle Panna Cotta

Buttermilk Creamsicle Panna Cotta
© DANA GALLAGHER

This isn't your typical panna cotta. Orange zest and orange juice are combined with bay leaves and peppercorns to create a spicy citrus flavor that works so well with the creamy buttermilk gel.

07 of 11

Cheesecake Bars with Candied Orange and Pizzelle Crust

Cheesecake Bars with Candied Orange and Pizzelle Crust

Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Thom Driver

This elegant dessert showcases a pizzelle cookie crust with rich cheesecake and glossy candied orange slices. If you'd like to highlight the vanilla notes, leave the fennel seeds out of the crust.

08 of 11

White Chocolate Cake with Orange Marmalade Filling

White Chocolate Cake with Orange Marmalade Filling
© Frances Janisch

Here, classic vanilla-scented yellow butter cake is embellished with creamy white chocolate, then layered with an orange marmalade filling and iced with sweet white chocolate buttercream. The candied orange peel garnish adds just a touch of tang.

09 of 11

Citrus-Granita and Orange-Mousse Parfaits

Citrus-Granita and Orange-Mousse Parfaits
© John Kernick

Light, citrusy mousse is layered with orange granita and almonds for a refreshing, sundae-like dessert.

10 of 11

Tangerine Curd Tart

Tangerine Curd Tart
© Con Poulos

This beautiful, sunny-yellow tart features a rich and silky curd with fresh tangerine and lemon juices for the perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Billowy whipped cream crowns the top.

11 of 11

Ricotta Pancakes with Orange Syrup

The Breslin's Ricotta Pancakes with Orange Syrup

© Lucy Schaeffer

How about riffing on a Creamsicle for breakfast? Here, golden buttermilk-ricotta pancakes get adorned with fresh-made orange syrup and a lightly sweetened ricotta topping.

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