The following is a guest post by Shaina Olmanson, the cook, freelance writer, and photographer behind Food for My Family. She is the author of Desserts in Jars: 50 Sweet Treats that Shine and has served as the food editor for Lifetime Moms and contributor to several sites, including eHow, Babble’s Family Kitchen, and eBay. She lives in Minneapolis, MN with her husband and their four kids.
Here is a quick and simple recipe for strawberry and coconut cream pops that take advantage of seasonal fresh berries and help you cool off all in one.
My youngest son runs into the kitchen, bare feet slapping against the linoleum, sticky. He’s staring at me from beneath a mop of sweat-drenched hair, a thin t-shirt sticking to his back.
“Mom, can we make ice cream?”
Standing across the counter from him, the thought of moving very far to do just about anything in our hot house makes me cringe. I hesitate, sipping my iced tea, looking for an alternative option.
“Or popsicles?”
Popsicles are one of my favorite summer snacks for kids and adults alike. With very few ingredients and plenty of fresh fruit, you can have a snack that feels indulgent and gives you that ice-cream-like texture, all without turning on the stove (a definite no-go when it’s mid-summer and there’s no air conditioning).
This recipe is wonderful with any fresh fruit. Use your seasonal favorites, from raspberries to peaches. In-season fruits shine here, blending with the creamy coconut milk. The bit of added honey or maple syrup helps lower the freezing point of the pops, providing a treat that has that classic popsicle texture instead of that of an ice cube.
I often stock my freezer, making multiple batches of pops to pull out at a moment’s notice. They’re the perfect answer for the dirty-kneed boy standing before me, his siblings who are desperately seeking the comfort of a shady tree in the backyard, or an after-dinner treat that pairs well with meals eaten al fresco on the patio and the desire to linger just a bit longer around the table before heading back inside.
Strawberries and Coconut Cream Pops
Ingredients
- 3 cups strawberries, sliced
- 1 15-oz can coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons honey, or maple syrup, divided
Instructions
-
In a blender, combine the strawberries and 2 tablespoons of the honey. Blend until smooth, adding a tablespoon of water if necessary to encourage blending (this will depend on how ripe your berries are; juicy berries likely won't need encouragement).
-
In a separate container, whisk together the coconut milk and 1 tablespoon honey.
-
Spoon the coconut mixture and the strawberry mixture into ice pop molds, alternating between the two.
-
Freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm. Unmold and enjoy.
Recipe Notes
*Coconut is not a tree nut. However, if you have a tree nut allergy, consult your doctor before consuming.
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Shaina Olmanson believes life exists in the small bits and simple moments shared: the way the room brightens with the fresh, bursting scent of citrus being peeled by a small child’s hands, exploring the sidewalk after a hard rain, the sharp tang of minced garlic hitting hot oil in a pan. Cooking with and for her family and friends drives her desire to inspire other families to create their own family food cultures and do the same.
Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but 100 Days of Real Food will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us spread our message!
5 Real Food Budget Meals (approximately $15 each)
Other Posts You Might Like
Stephanie
July 7, 2016 at 10:53 amWhere can I purchase those popsicle molds?
Liz Bowman
July 13, 2016 at 11:37 amI am looking for the same thing!
Rene
July 13, 2016 at 11:54 amI have the one shown above and it is hateful. I would not recommend it. There are better ones on Amazon.
Laura
July 13, 2016 at 12:33 pmI think I bought ours on Amazon. I like it. We would always lose one of the plastic pieces that hold the popsicles in other sets. I like the fact that this uses the wooden ones. But I guess it is one more thing to buy if you don’t already have them on hand like we do. I also like that it makes 10 since we are a family of 9.
Shaina
July 14, 2016 at 9:05 amHi. I have a few, including this one off Amazon and one from World Market. The World Market one is significantly cheaper ($12, in store I believe), but the top isn’t as forgiving with the top piece, and the molds don’t snap off as easily. Both are essentially the same in function (snapping off the main base for easier storage once they are frozen, one solid top piece) and you need to run them under warm water or allow them to sit out for a bit before unmolding. I do like them better than any other mold I’ve had in the past.
Ron @ fasthealthycooking.net
July 8, 2016 at 6:28 amThese look so delicious!!
Brenda
July 8, 2016 at 2:15 pmThank you for sharing this recipe! I upgraded from paper cups to real popcicle molds, but my old recipes won’t work for my youngest son with his many food intolerances. This will work perfectly with the two (yes, only two) fruits he is able to eat. Thanks so much!!!!
Karen
July 13, 2016 at 11:45 amWhere did you buy your popcicle molds?
Brenda
July 13, 2016 at 2:13 pmMeijer
Shaina
July 14, 2016 at 9:07 amI’m so glad to hear this works for him!
Kate
July 9, 2016 at 3:39 pmThese sound delicious, love the fruit combination!! So pretty too!
Drew
July 11, 2016 at 6:05 pmKiller blog for the best food! Check out our products at Primekids.co maybe we could trade sometime :)
Debbie
July 12, 2016 at 8:33 amI’d love to know where you found those Popsicle molds??!! Thx
Amy Taylor (comment moderator)
July 14, 2016 at 7:01 amHi. This is a comment from a reader below: “I checked on Shaina Olmanson’s website and she bought her molds on Amazon and also at World Market. They are expensive (at least I think so), but probably last a long time.”
Lisa
July 13, 2016 at 11:50 amI would also like to know where to purchase the molds. Thanks
Amy Taylor (comment moderator)
July 14, 2016 at 7:02 amHi. This is a comment from a reader below: “I checked on Shaina Olmanson’s website and she bought her molds on Amazon and also at World Market. They are expensive (at least I think so), but probably last a long time.”
Barbara
July 13, 2016 at 12:13 pmI would like to make these for my family, but no molds. Could this mixture be poured into a glass pan and just cut into serving sizes?
Brenda
July 13, 2016 at 2:11 pmI made these this week and they are firm enough after freezing that I would not be able to cut them. I’ve used small paper cups with wooden popcicle sticks in the past- works great.
Shaina
July 14, 2016 at 9:08 amAgree. I have used small paper cups and wooden sticks or paddles in the past, and there’s no reason why that wouldn’t work for this. They are not soft enough to cut into bars, however.
Judy
July 13, 2016 at 12:23 pmI checked on Shaina Olmanson’s website and she bought her molds on Amazon and also at World Market. They are expensive (at least I think so), but probably last a long time.
Shaina
July 14, 2016 at 9:10 amHi, Judy. Yes, the most expensive mold I own was a bit over $20 for a 10-pop mold. It, however, has been used for 2 1/2 years without issue, and I would buy it again. The World Market molds are around $12 for a single 10-pop mold (online they sell them in a 2-pack for more).
Eileen
July 13, 2016 at 12:28 pmCan you use a light coconut milk? Thank you!
Shaina
July 14, 2016 at 9:13 amHi, Eileen. I haven’t used light coconut milk for this recipe, but I think you could, you may just end up with an icier texture due to the lack of fat.
Miriam
July 14, 2016 at 10:32 amHi there, is there a particular need (apart from the aesthetics/look!) to mix ingredients in two separate containers? Can they all be mixed in a food processor and poured into the moulds together? Thanks!
Shaina
July 14, 2016 at 11:16 amHi, Miriam. You can definitely mix all the ingredients together and pour them into molds. However, the texture and taste will be quite different than what is pictured. Not bad, just different. The berries and coconut cream separately create a contrast as you eat them. Together they would just be creamy berry pops. Imagine if you had whipped cream and berries in a bowl. Eating them that way creates a certain experience, Of course, you could just blend them together, but the experience changes, the textures, etc. Same thing here.
Debb
July 14, 2016 at 11:50 amThese sound delicious & easy! Can you use something like evaporated milk or something else instead of coconut milk? We have someone that is not doesn’t like coconut…. thanks!
Shaina
July 14, 2016 at 3:11 pmI think evaporated milk would be a great substitute. You may need to adjust the sweetness a bit, but just give it a test before you pour it in.
Debb
July 14, 2016 at 6:46 pmOkay – will give it a try soon!
Nikki
July 15, 2016 at 3:03 pmDo you have to use canned coconut milk? Or would refrigerated coconut work?
Erika C
July 17, 2016 at 6:50 pmI have been looking for a mold like this, where was it purchased? Thank you! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Sara
July 18, 2016 at 1:21 pmI noticed that the coconut milk has guar gum? Lisa, what’s your take on this additive? Thanks!!
Shaina
July 19, 2016 at 4:54 pmHi, Sara. This article addresses the guar gum. Not ideal, but Native Forest is one of the canned varieties that does not have BPA in the can lining. Natural Value is another, and this one doesn’t have guar gum.
Sherri Hunt
July 18, 2016 at 2:21 pmDo you have any tips on getting the Popsicles out of the molds?
Stephanie
July 18, 2016 at 3:35 pmDip them in hot water for a few seconds! :-) Just be careful to only dip the mold, not the edible part, of course. Just like an old fashioned ice cube tray.
Sharon
July 18, 2016 at 6:38 pmWhere do u buy your popsiscle moulds? What brand is that one?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator)
August 6, 2016 at 8:37 amHi. This is a comment from a reader above: “I checked on Shaina Olmanson’s website and she bought her molds on Amazon and also at World Market. They are expensive (at least I think so), but probably last a long time.”
Anne Sofie
July 21, 2016 at 11:47 amI tried the recipe the other day and oh my god, they were good! Also my family and I love strawberry and coconut, so it was a no brainer:-)
Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe!
About
July 25, 2016 at 9:13 pmTaste very good!
starree
August 12, 2016 at 3:09 pmI’ve found the popsicle molds at Marshall’s now and then for about $16.00. Usually find them at large retailers like surlatable or on amazon: Onyx Stainless Steel Popsicle Mold is one.
Neha
August 20, 2016 at 1:41 pmThanks for the recipe. I made it for my kids and they loved it! Am planning on making it again.