Ingredients
- Ripe Avocados: 2 medium (about 300-350g total, pitted and scooped) – This is our star for creaminess and healthy fats! Make sure they are perfectly ripe, soft to the touch but not mushy or brown.
- Full-Fat Coconut Milk: 1 can (13.5 oz / 400ml), chilled (use the thick cream part primarily) – Adds luxurious richness and dairy-free creaminess. Chilling the can helps the cream separate from the water.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder or Cacao Powder: 3/4 cup (about 60g) – For that intense, deep chocolate flavor. Cacao powder offers slightly more nutrients, but good quality cocoa powder works wonderfully too.
- Medjool Dates: 1 cup, pitted (about 12-15 dates, or 150g) – Our primary natural sweetener, contributing to the fudgy texture. If your dates are dry, soak them in hot water for 10-15 minutes, then drain.
- Pure Maple Syrup: 1/4 cup (60ml) (optional, adjust to taste) – For an extra touch of sweetness and a classic fudgsicle flavor profile. You can also use agave nectar or omit if the dates provide enough sweetness for you.
- Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons – Enhances the chocolate flavor and adds warmth.
- Pinch of Sea Salt: 1/4 teaspoon – Balances the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate notes.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk (or any milk of choice): 1/4 to 1/2 cup (60-120ml), as needed to help blending – Use sparingly, only if your mixture is too thick for your blender to handle.
Instructions
- Prepare the Dates (if needed): If your Medjool dates are a bit dry or firm, place them in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for 10-15 minutes to soften. Drain the water thoroughly before using. If they are already soft and moist, you can skip this step.
- Chill the Coconut Milk (Optional but Recommended): If you haven’t already, place your can of full-fat coconut milk in the refrigerator for at least a few hours, or ideally overnight. This causes the thick cream to solidify and separate from the watery liquid. When ready to use, open the can without shaking it and scoop out the thick, solid cream, leaving most of the watery liquid behind. You can save the coconut water for smoothies. Using mostly the cream part will result in richer, creamier fudgsicles.
- Combine Ingredients in Blender: To a high-speed blender, add the scooped avocado flesh, the thick coconut cream (and a little of the liquid part if desired), the pitted dates, unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder, maple syrup (if using), vanilla extract, and sea salt.
- Blend Until Smooth: Secure the lid and start blending on low, gradually increasing the speed to high. Blend for 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender with a spatula a couple of times during blending to ensure everything is incorporated and there are no avocado or date chunks remaining.
- Adjust Consistency (if needed): If the mixture is too thick for your blender to process effectively, add a tablespoon of almond milk (or your preferred milk) at a time, blending briefly after each addition, until it reaches a thick, smooth, but pourable consistency, similar to a very thick smoothie or pudding. Be careful not to add too much liquid, as this can make the fudgsicles icier.
- Taste and Adjust Sweetness: Once smooth, taste the mixture. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more maple syrup or another soaked date or two and blend again. Remember that flavors dull slightly when frozen, so making it a tad sweeter than you’d normally prefer can be a good idea.
- Pour into Molds: Carefully pour or spoon the chocolate mixture into your popsicle molds, leaving a little space at the top for expansion as they freeze. If your molds don’t have built-in stick holders, insert popsicle sticks into the center of each mold once they are partially frozen (after about 1-2 hours), which helps them stand straight.
- Freeze: Place the filled molds in the freezer. Freeze for at least 6-8 hours, or preferably overnight, until completely solid.
- Unmold and Enjoy: To easily remove the fudgsicles from the molds, you can briefly run the outside of the molds under warm (not hot) water for a few seconds. Gently pull on the popsicle sticks to release them.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One Normal Portion
- Calories: 180-220