COFFEE AND COCONUT MILK POPSICLES
Our weather forecast starting this weekend into next week is looking a bit… subtropical. Temps in the 90s, high humidity, thunderstorms. I can feel my brow starting to perspire just thinking about it. Not to worry though, because I have the antidote.
Vegan Coffee and Coconut Milk Popsicles
My plan for surviving our first big heat wave of the summer? Stacks on stacks on stacks of these creamy, frosty, cool coffee coconut milk popsicles. They’re so good, like a frappuccino on a stick. Just three main ingredients and a blender needed, so you won’t even break a sweat getting your freezer stocked with frozen coffee goodness.
Vegan Coffee and Coconut Milk Popsicles
Dates lend the perfect amount of sweetness, while also keeping these refined sugar free. Full fat coconut milk makes for a creamy base that’s easy to blend, so no high powered blender is required. For the coffee, I used instant coffee. By using granules instead of cooled brewed coffee, you reduce the amount of water and therefore up the amount of creaminess. You can also use my favorite herbal coffee subsitute, Dandy Blend. I included some optional add-ins, like vanilla extract and cacao nibs, but really these are so satisfying even without them. I also left some suggestions for further reducing any ice crystals for the smoothest, creamiest results, but honestly, a little icyness on a hot day isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Vegan Coffee and Coconut Milk Popsicles
Feel free to enjoy them in all their glorious simplicity, or get creative and embellish with a little melted dark chocolate, cacao nibs, and toasted coconut flakes. Either way you can’t go wrong.
Here’s to staying cool, friends!
Vegan Coffee and Coconut Milk Popsicles – Vegan, Paleo, Refined Sugar Free, Gluten Free
makes about 6 popsicles
1 can full fat coconut milk (I like Thai Kitchen)
6 large, soft pitted medjool dates (if they are dry or hard, soak for 5 minutes in hot water and drain)
1 tsp instant coffee, espresso powder (or more for a stronger coffee flavor), or 1 tbsp non-coffee Dandy Blend
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract (optional)
pinch of salt (optional)
*To reduce ice crystals once frozen, try also adding 1 tbsp vodka, or you could try 1/4 tsp xanthan gum or cream of tar tar (or sunflower lecithin but you would have to play with the amount, as I haven’t tried this method myself)*
Optional add-ins or toppings after freezing: cacao nibs, coconut flakes, melted dark chocolate
Blend everything together in your blender until smooth, then tap the blender on the counter to reduce the amount of large bubbles.
You could even let it set in the fridge for an hour or two, as is sometimes done when making ice cream, but I usually just get to pouring and freezing right away.
Taste and add more instant coffee granules for a stronger coffee flavor or another date or two for sweeter pops. Pour the mixture in your popsicle molds or small paper cups. Add in some cacao nibs, if desired.
Freeze for about 30 minutes and then add the popsicle sticks. Freeze until firm. Run popsicle molds or cups under warm water to release them. Drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with coconut, if you want to get fancy-shmancy.
Vegan Coffee and Coconut Milk Popsicles
My plan for surviving our first big heat wave of the summer? Stacks on stacks on stacks of these creamy, frosty, cool coffee coconut milk popsicles. They’re so good, like a frappuccino on a stick. Just three main ingredients and a blender needed, so you won’t even break a sweat getting your freezer stocked with frozen coffee goodness.
Vegan Coffee and Coconut Milk Popsicles
Dates lend the perfect amount of sweetness, while also keeping these refined sugar free. Full fat coconut milk makes for a creamy base that’s easy to blend, so no high powered blender is required. For the coffee, I used instant coffee. By using granules instead of cooled brewed coffee, you reduce the amount of water and therefore up the amount of creaminess. You can also use my favorite herbal coffee subsitute, Dandy Blend. I included some optional add-ins, like vanilla extract and cacao nibs, but really these are so satisfying even without them. I also left some suggestions for further reducing any ice crystals for the smoothest, creamiest results, but honestly, a little icyness on a hot day isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Vegan Coffee and Coconut Milk Popsicles
Feel free to enjoy them in all their glorious simplicity, or get creative and embellish with a little melted dark chocolate, cacao nibs, and toasted coconut flakes. Either way you can’t go wrong.
Here’s to staying cool, friends!
Vegan Coffee and Coconut Milk Popsicles – Vegan, Paleo, Refined Sugar Free, Gluten Free
makes about 6 popsicles
Ingredients:
1 can full fat coconut milk (I like Thai Kitchen)
6 large, soft pitted medjool dates (if they are dry or hard, soak for 5 minutes in hot water and drain)
1 tsp instant coffee, espresso powder (or more for a stronger coffee flavor), or 1 tbsp non-coffee Dandy Blend
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract (optional)
pinch of salt (optional)
*To reduce ice crystals once frozen, try also adding 1 tbsp vodka, or you could try 1/4 tsp xanthan gum or cream of tar tar (or sunflower lecithin but you would have to play with the amount, as I haven’t tried this method myself)*
Optional add-ins or toppings after freezing: cacao nibs, coconut flakes, melted dark chocolate
Directions:
Blend everything together in your blender until smooth, then tap the blender on the counter to reduce the amount of large bubbles.
You could even let it set in the fridge for an hour or two, as is sometimes done when making ice cream, but I usually just get to pouring and freezing right away.
Taste and add more instant coffee granules for a stronger coffee flavor or another date or two for sweeter pops. Pour the mixture in your popsicle molds or small paper cups. Add in some cacao nibs, if desired.
Freeze for about 30 minutes and then add the popsicle sticks. Freeze until firm. Run popsicle molds or cups under warm water to release them. Drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with coconut, if you want to get fancy-shmancy.
