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    Home » Recipes » Kids party food

    Sherbet Recipe

    Published: Feb 18, 2025 by Libby Hakim · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Sherbet is the fizzy powder that has tickled the taste buds of generations of kids. Sweet and tangy, the taste will instantly transport you back to your childhood!

    Jump to:
    • A brief history
    • A little science
    • Ingredient notes
    • How to make sherbet
    • Enjoying (and storing) sherbet
    • More party food
    • Sherbet Recipe

    A brief history

    The type of sherbet we are making up here is powdered sherbet – a confectionary that's popular in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Over in the US, it's a frozen treat.

    The name actually comes from the Persian “sharbat”, a cool effervescent or iced fruit soft drink.

    In the 1900s, powdered sherbet made a regular appearance in confectionary stores – sold in packets or tins and sometimes with other candy that could be dipped into the sherbet.

    My memory of this fun and fizzy confection is the "Wizz Fizz" brand which was sold in a packet with a spoon or candy stick in the 1980's (and still seems to be around today).

    A little science

    This recipe is also a fun way to teach kids a little science.

    The fizzy sensation that happens when the sherbet hits your tongue is caused by a clever combination of acidic and alkaline ingredients. The ingredients for sherbet are activated by moisture, triggering a chemical reaction that releases tiny bubbles.

    Ingredient notes

    To make this recipe, you'll need:

    • the sweet stuff – icing sugar and jelly crystals (choose your favourite flavour) (I just make up the rest as jelly, adjusting the quantity of water accordingly)
    • the sour stuff – citric acid (you can substitute tartaric acid)
    • the bubbly stuff – bicarb soda.
    Ingredients for sherbet.

    See the recipe card at the end of this post for ingredient quantities.

    How to make sherbet

    To make sherbet, simply measure out the ingredients and mix everything together in a small bowl.

    If there are any lumps, sift the sherbet before serving.

    This recipe makes about ⅓ cup of sherbet.

    Enjoying (and storing) sherbet

    Enjoy it in small quantities!

    A favourite way to enjoy it is with a lollipop or musk stick. Suck on the lolly and then dip it into the sherbet to coat it in a think layer of sherbet.

    My favourite way to enjoy it is at the bottom of a Marshmallow Cone!

    To store sherbet, keep it away from any form of moisture. An airtight container in a cool place should do the trick. It should last for up to a few months.

    More party food

    Looking for other fun recipes for kids? Try these:

    • Meringue kisses piled high in glass dish.
      Meringue Kisses
    • frozen chocolate bananas
      Frozen Chocolate Bananas
    • fairy bread
      Fairy Bread
    • frog in a pond dessert, made of a chocolate frog sitting in green jelly in a clear plastic cup.
      Frog in a Pond
    Sherbet

    Sherbet Recipe

    Libby Hakim
    Have some fizzy fun with this homemade sherbet, a nostalgic treat generations of kids have enjoyed.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Australian, British
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 14 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 5 teaspoons icing sugar
    • 1 teaspoon citric acid
    • 2 teaspoons bicarb soda
    • 6 teaspoons jelly crystals

    Instructions
     

    • Stir all ingredients together to combine well. Sift, if necessary, to remove any lumps.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 14kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 0.01gFat: 0.003gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.002gSodium: 184mgPotassium: 3mgFiber: 0.04gSugar: 3gVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.02mg
    Tried this recipe?If you love it, let me know!

    More Kids Party Food

    • Patty Cakes, iced with a simple pink icing and decorated with pastel sprinkles.
      Patty Cakes
    • Smartie Cookies recipe.
      Smartie Cookies
    • Marshmallows on plate.
      Marshmallow Recipe
    • Marshmallow Cones on plate.
      Marshmallow Cones
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    Comments

    1. Libby Hakim

      February 18, 2025 at 5:04 pm

      5 stars
      Enjoy!

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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    Hi, I'm Libby, a recipe collector and writer. I love everything about home cooking and share modern classics and recipes that have been passed down for generations – I hope you find a few that bring back treasured memories.

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