Recipe: Family Friendly Plant Based Popsicles

Summer holidays are the perfect time to enjoy refreshing treats that can be made easily at home with your kids. Making popsicles at home is a fantastic way to involve your kids in the kitchen, teaching them about healthy eating while having fun. These all natural, plant based popsicles are so fun to make with the kids, taste delicious and also jam packed with nutrients.

They pack a punch in the nutrition department with essential vitamins and nutrients. Fruits like berries, mangoes, and bananas are rich in vitamins C and A, which boost the immune system and promote healthy skin. Additionally, using coconut milk or almond milk provides healthy fats and calcium, essential for bone health. The natural sweetness from fruits means there's no need for added sugars, making these popsicles a guilt-free treat for everyone. So you can enjoy with pleasure knowing they are pure goodness and free from artificial flavors, colors or refined sugars! 

Whether you're looking to cool down on a hot day or want a healthy snack, these popsicles are sure to become a family favorite that stay on rotation in the freezer - and the recipe is so adaptable, you and the kiddos can get creative with different experimentations of flavors!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

• 1 cup of diced mango

• 2 ripe bananas

• 1 cup of coconut milk (or any plant-based milk)

• 2 tablespoons of maple syrup (optional)

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

• Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
  

Equipment:

• Blender or food processor

• Popsicle molds

• Popsicle sticks
  

Instructions:

• Wash the berries thoroughly.

• Peel and dice the mango.

• Peel the bananas.

• In a blender, combine the mixed berries, mango, and bananas. Blend until smooth.

• Pour the fruit puree into a large bowl.

• Gradually add the coconut milk to the fruit puree, stirring continuously until well combined. The coconut milk adds a creamy texture to the popsicles.

• If you prefer sweeter popsicles, add the maple syrup to the mixture and stir well.

• Add the vanilla extract to the mixture for an extra layer of flavor. Mix thoroughly.

• Carefully pour the mixture into the popsicle molds, leaving a small gap at the top to allow for expansion as they freeze.

• If desired, place a fresh mint leaf in each mold for a refreshing twist.

• Place the popsicle sticks into the molds. Ensure they are centered and standing upright.

• Place the molds in the freezer for at least 4-6 hours or until the popsicles are completely frozen.

• Once frozen, remove the popsicles from the freezer. To release them from the molds, run warm water over the outside of the molds for a few seconds.

• Gently pull on the sticks to release the popsicles.

Tips for Customizing Your Popsicles

• Fruit Variations: Feel free to experiment with different fruit combinations. Pineapple, kiwi, peaches, and watermelon are great options to try.

• Add-Ins: For an extra nutritional boost, consider adding chia seeds, flaxseeds, or spinach to the blend. The flavors will blend well with the fruits, and the kids won't even notice the added greens.

• Swirls: For a fun visual effect, create layered or swirled popsicles by blending fruits separately and layering them in the molds.