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Clearly I am obsessed with ice pops. I love them. What I love most about them is making ones that are super tasty and good for you, too.
This recipe came from a dinner we had with friends. My friend, Michelle, came over with coconut based ice cream that she'd made in her ice cream maker. I swear, it was the best ice cream I have ever had in my life. We were all licking our bowls. All I could think of was how to translate that into an ice pop.
That is how these coconut ice pops were born. They can be vanilla, chocolate, blueberry, strawberry, cantaloupe or any other flavor that strikes your fancy.
You will need:
1 can of coconut milk
3 tablespoons of REAL maple syrup. Not the fake stuff that is just rice syrup with maple flavoring
a dash of salt -Pink Himalaya Salt is preferred but Sea Salt is fine.
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
This is your base.
To make the chocolate version, add 1 teaspoon of raw cacoa powder.
For any of the fruits, add about a 1/2 cup and blend together in a blender.
Pour into your ice pop molds and pop them in the freezer. It takes about 6 hours.
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We have rocket pop, star and bug pop molds. I have seen robots, sailboats, and jewels. Basically if you give a child a slightly sweet frozen treat shaped like something cool they will love it. I have seen the molds on Amazon, at Target, and TJ Maxx. They are usually under $10 for a set.
Coconut milk is super nutritious. It helps to maintain blood sugar levels, gives a healthy boost to the immune system, helps build strong bones with a good dose of Phosphorous, reduces inflammation in the joints and is a good source of iron.
I would much rather give my child this than the sugar laden ice pops you find in the supermarket. Also, many of the ice pops you find in the market use synthetic dyes to achieve their fun colors. Blue tongue anyone? Synthetic dyes, especially when combined with refined sugars, have been found to have dramatic effects on children's behaviour and health. They have been linked to ADD, ADHD, and certain cancers. Whatever ice pop you choose to serve your children, please take care to avoid these dyes. Look for brands that use more natural dyes like Tumeric and Paprika.
Have a delicious, happy, healthy summer.
