Healthy Chocolate Fudge Popsicles | Easy Homemade Frozen Treat Recipe

Rich and creamy chocolate fudge popsicles made from healthy, simple ingredients. A guilt-free summer treat perfect for cooling down on a hot day.

Summer is in full swing! Actually, it's in fuller (a word?) swing than usual... Here in Alberta, we've had record-breaking heat for the last few days and we're doing everything we can to stay cool!

Sprinklers, spray parks, fans, and of course... cold food and treats. My husband and I were on such a roasted vegetable kick that when this heatwave hit, we said to each other, "What the heck can we eat that won't require heating up the whole house?!"

Luckily our garden is overflowing with spinach and lettuce, so let's just say... SALADS. We've been enjoying them so much. So fresh, so crisp and so customizable!

I've also been having fun making different frozen treats. I LOVE sitting in the shade and eating a frozen sweet treat on a hot summer day. One of my favorite recipes lately has been banana chocolate popsicles. SO guilt-free, quick and delicious. Cold watermelon, of course, never fails and soon we're going to try making slushies out of frozen watermelon! I'm excited about that. Don't forget lemonade- an oldie, but a goodie! Frozen grapes are also a favorite of mine.

I saw this recipe for coconut milk creamsicles and thought, "I could make A LOT of great recipes for popsicles using coconut milk as a base!" Then I did some experimenting and these homemade chocolate popsicles were born. I am loving reliving moments eating fudgesicles from an ice cream truck as a child, but with absolutely no guilt or sick feelings afterwards! Yup, by now I'm sure you know my obsession with healthy recipes.

I hope you enjoy these healthy chocolate popsicles, because I am honestly in love.

Are Chocolate Fudge Popsicles Healthy?

This easy recipe is made from simple, healthy ingredients:

Coconut milk - Coconut milk is a rich, creamy substitute for dairy, but it's very enjoyable even if you can drink cow's milk! Normally it imparts a coconut flavor to whatever it's added to, but I don't notice that in this recipe. Coconut milk is high in fats and many vitamins and minerals, including copper, manganese, selenium, iron and folate. It may improve heart health, reduce inflammation and fight viruses!

Look for high quality coconut milk with minimal additives and without BPA (a chemical that can lead to cancer and reproductive issues) in the can lining. This is a good option. Hint: If it costs $0.88 for a can, it's probably not the best brand to buy...

Cocoa powder - Rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that are also found in some fruits and vegetables! These polyphenols may reduce blood pressure, reduce inflammation generally, improve heart health and blood flow to the brain.

Maple syrup - High in sugar, as we know, but there is so little in this recipe. Each popsicle contains ½ tablespoon of maple syrup, which is 6 grams of sugar, much less than most fudgsicle recipes. Storebought fudgsicles contain around 15 grams of sugar. You can get "sugar-free" fudgsicles, but those are filled with chemical sweeteners that aren't any good for you. Maple syrup is natural and also contains a small number of vitamins and minerals. I use the least amount of a natural sweetener possible to create a delicious end result!

Are Chocolate Fudge Popsicles Gluten Free?

Yes, absolutely no gluten in sight!

Are Chocolate Fudge Popsicles Vegan?

These are vegan popsicles, as coconut milk is used as the base instead of dairy milk and the popsicles are sweetened with maple syrup.

What Can I Use If I Don't Have Conventional Molds?

• Dixie cups (paper cups)
• Plastic cups (disposable)
• Empty and clean single serving yogurt or applesauce cups
• Ice cube trays
• Muffins tins

Tips for Making Chocolate Fudge Popsicles

• Scrape the sides of the blender to ensure that all the cocoa powder is incorporated. Don't want little powder puff surprises in the middle of your popsicles!
• You can taste test your mixture before pouring and make adjustments if needed, just remember that the pops will taste sweeter once frozen!
• If using silicone molds, place them on a flat tray or dish for more stability when setting them down in the freezer.
• Run popsicle mold under warm water for a few moments to help soften and release the popsicles.

Variations of Chocolate Fudge Popsicles

• Use dairy or another type of plant-based milk (such as almond milk) in place of coconut milk. You can also use less fat coconut milk, but know that full-fat coconut milk will yield the creamiest popsicles in the end!
• Use honey or date syrup in place of maple syrup.
• Make chocolate mint popsicles by adding ½ teaspoon peppermint extract or 10-15 mint leaves and leaving out the vanilla
• Dip in toasted coconut after removing from molds. Learn how to make your own toasted coconut here.
• Add dark or semisweet chocolate chips or chocolate chunks to the bottom before pouring or at the top after pouring (or both! hehe)
• Add ⅓ cup peanut butter (or any nut butter) for a chocolate peanut butter treat! Add in before blending or gently stir in after blending, not fully incorporating for a more marbled effect.
• Drizzle with melted dark chocolate or dip your homemade fudge pops in chocolate for a super indulgent treat!

Tools You May Need

Popsicle molds (I have this silicone mold)

Wooden popsicle sticks (if your molds don't come with reusable handles)

Blender (I love this one!) or mason jar

Chocolate Fudge Popsicles Ingredients

1 13.5 oz can full-fat coconut milk

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3 tablespoon pure maple syrup

1½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

⅛ teaspoon sea salt

How to Make Chocolate Fudge Popsicles

Add all ingredients into a high-speed blender or mason jar. Blend until smooth, stopping once to scrape the sides. If using a mason jar, secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously until all ingredients are well mixed and the mixture is smooth.

Pour mixture into popsicle molds and place sticks into popsicles. If your mold doesn't come with reusable sticks, or if they are unavailable (mine are often in use holding other popsicles!), freeze mixture in molds for about 40 minutes. The popsicles will be frosty, but still soft enough to insert the popsicle sticks. Freeze for a minimum of 3½ more hours.

When ready to eat, run mold under warm water and wiggle popsicles to release them.

How to Store Chocolate Fudge Popsicles

Chocolate popsicles may be stored in the mold for up to 1 week. After that, they may start to take on freezer smells or become freezer burnt. Don't let that happen!

For longer storage (up to 2 weeks), remove all popsicles from mold and place in an airtight container or freezer bag.

For longest storage (up to 3 months), individually wrap popsicles in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container or freezer bag. Let's be honest, is it possible for them to last that long? Not in my house.

Did you try this recipe and love it? I would so appreciate it if you give it a 5 star rating and pin it to Pinterest!

More Guilt-Free Desserts

• CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BANANA POPSICLES
• CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER EGGS
• KEY LIME PIE
• DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE
• BLUEBERRY PIE
• LEMON POPSICLES