“Now Summertime’s Here Babe, Need Somethin’ To Keep You Cool? I’m Your Ice Cream Man Baby, Stop Me When I’m Passin’ By”
Fudgesicles! When you were a kid, and you heard the faint and off-key music coming from the ice-cream truck somewhere in the distance, did your heart start to race? Did a little panic set in because you knew you had precious little time to make your case as to why you needed a little spare change? Then you had to race to the street before the truck skipped you by completely? When it made it’s turn onto your street, and you knew you were going to get to the curb in time, what was your first choice? Mine was always a fudgesicle!
It’s summertime and when the temperature reaches so far north you want to scream, only ice cream will do. Hey, all the better that it’s healthier (and you can’t even tell). So take a little time to cool down and make yourself a batch of Fudgesicles. These are dairy free, vegan and even sugar free too. But let me tell you, they are better than any fudgesicle I remember. So, so, good! Ahhh, you’re welcome! If you don’t like coconut, don’t worry. You’ll never taste it. I promise. The coconut gives the creamy taste you want in your ice cream bar. Each bar clocks in at under 190 calories too.
We Were Kool-Aid Kids
Probably my first lesson in social status as a kid was in beverage form. As I recall growing up, there were two separate and distinct categories of childhood beverages. Each household in the hood fell into only one, no one did both. One category drank the Kool-Aid, the other were the Hi-C kids. I thought Hi-C kids were fancy. We were Kool-Aid kids. My brother, sister and I were home alone for a few hours everyday after school. Left to fend for ourselves, making Kool-Aid was our strong suit. (That and milk from powder, but that’s a story for another day).
Kool-Aid came in a little tiny packet. It was just flavored powder, completely unsweetened. For that, we had a scoop……..one gigantic scoop in our sugar container. Our recipe for Kool-Aid called for 2 full scoops. When I think of the amount of sugar we’d put into that pitcher, then mix with water, I tell ya, It’s frightening.
Another thing you’d find at our house, popsicle molds. Mostly thanks to Tupperware and my mom’s thrifty nature. We made our own concoctions (with more Kool-Aid), froze them and that was what sustained our sweaty, sweet-toothed, monstrous, little souls between visits by that most appreciated yet completely unpredictable ice cream truck.
I don’t know if there are many of those old ice cream trucks around these days. Honestly, I find them a bit creepy now days anyway. Maybe too much “Dexter” watching? Or was that actually a meat truck I’m thinking of?
For the Fudgesicles
Into your blender, add 1 can of unsweetened coconut milk. Whole or lite fat variety, you choose. The whole fat kind will be creamier, but both options are good. Next, add 1/2 cup of either regular unsweetened cocoa powder, or better yet, use the dark cocoa powder. (I used regular Hershey’s Cocoa Powder and they are unbelievably chocolatey.) To that, add 1 pinch of salt (1/8 teaspoon) with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 8 pitted dates. Okay, now, I don’t want to lose you here. The dates add sweetness, but also add to the texture. No one will ever know they’re there, I promise.
Blend on high at least 1 minute. Make sure to get the mixture as smooth as possible.
Test for sweetness. I added 1 pouch (about 1 teaspoon) of natural artificial sweetener, Stevia. You may want yours with more or less.
Pour into your popsicle molds and freeze for at least 12 hours. (Don’t rush, trust me, because I tried, they don’t come out if you try and take them out of the mold before they are completely frozen.)
Unmold the fudgesicles and let the embelishments if you like. I added some flaked, unsweetened coconut to some. You might like them with some very finely chopped, salted nuts or chocolate drizzles. They are good just plain, believe me.
Storing
Wrap each with plastic, then store in a freezer bag.
Enjoy!
Fudgesicles – Dairy and Sugar Free, Vegan
Ingredients
For the Fudgesicles
- 1 can lite or full fat unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, regular or dark cocoa
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 pitted dates
Optional - roll in 1/3 cup chopped nuts of choice or coconut.
Instructions
For the Fudgesicles
- Into your blender, add 1 can of unsweetened coconut milk.
- Add the cocoa powder, salt, dates, vanilla extract and sweetener.
- Blend on high for about 1 minute.
- Pour into your popsicle molds and freeze for at least 12 hours.
- Top with a sprinkling of finely chopped nuts or coconut
Karen Harris https://www.bittersaltysoursweet.com
