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We’re experiencing a heat wave this week, which means it’s time for popsicles!
These homemade ice pops are the result of a happy accident– I brewed a cup of decaf coffee one morning and totally forgot about it until later in the day. (By the way, this would have never happened before I got pregnant! Now that I don’t drink coffee regularly, it totally slips my mind.) Since the coffee was already cold by the time I remembered it, I decided to try using it in a frozen treat instead.
For creaminess, I blended the cold coffee with hemp hearts, which are loaded with protein and essential fatty acids. In fact, hemp hearts are thought to have nearly an ideal ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids, plus they have more of these fatty acids, and more protein, than a similar serving of chia or flax seeds. Naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, these ice pops taste like a fancy coffee drink without any artificial ingredients or preservatives.
Enjoy them with or without the caffeine!
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Coffee Protein Ice Pops
Makes about 5 ice pops
Ingredients:
1 cup brewed coffee (decaf or regular)
1/2 cup hemp hearts
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon ground coffee
Directions:
Combine all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender, and blend until silky-smooth and creamy. Taste the mixture to see how you like the taste– you can easily add more sweetener or coffee to suit your taste. Pour the mixture into your favorite ice pop mold (I use this one), insert the popsicle sticks, and freeze until set, about 4 to 6 hours.
To remove the ice pops from their mold, fill your sink with hot tap water and place the mold in the hot water bath for 15-30 seconds, just until the pops easily slide out. Serve frozen, and store the extra pops in a sealed container in the freezer.
Coffee Protein Ice Pops (Dairy-free, Nut-free)
Ingredients
- 1 cup brewed coffee (decaf or regular)
- 1/2 cup hemp hearts
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground coffee
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender, and blend until silky-smooth and creamy. Taste the mixture to see how you like the taste-- you can easily add more sweetener or coffee to suit your taste. Pour the mixture into your favorite ice pop mold (I use this one), insert popsicle sticks, and freeze until set, about 4 to 6 hours.
- To remove the ice pops from their mold, fill your sink with hot tap water and place the mold in the hot water bath for 15-30 seconds, just until the pops easily slide out. Serve frozen, and store the extra pops in a sealed container in the freezer.
Nutrition
Calories per serving: 148, Fat: 9g, Carbohydrates: 9g, Fiber: 0g, Protein: 7g
Notes:
- In terms of chemicals and pesticides, coffee is one of the most heavily treated crops, so be sure to select organic varieties whenever possible. I like Trader Joe’s organic decaf French Roast.
- I used hemp hearts to keep these ice pops nut-free and protein-rich, but any other nut or seed would probably work, too.
- Feel free to use another sweetener, if you prefer– this recipe is very adaptable, since you can taste as you go.
- A little bit of separation is normal when freezing these ice pops, so don’t worry if that happens. They still taste great!
Enjoy!
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Reader Feedback: Are you a fan of coffee-flavored treats?
Lauren @ Fun, Fit and Fabulous!
It’s so funny that you say that about coffee post pregnancy. Before I got pregnant, I could drink 3+ cups without even thinking about it, and now I’m tired of it after just one cup. I do LOVE anything coffee flavored and it’s already hitting the 90’s here in Texas so anything cold is a welcomed treat!
Heather
Fabulous! Now I just need some molds. I recently found your site and I love it! Thank you for all the useful information. It has truly made me consider the benefits of investing in an all organic diet for our family.
Jean@RealFoodHoarder
I’ve never heard of hemp hearts before, sound really interesting and healthy. I love coffee anything when it comes to desserts. I think I’ll have to put ice pop mold on my “to buy” list!
CEH
Is there anything you can sub for hemp hearts?
Morgan
These look delicious. I like to make put homemade hemp milk in my coffee but never thought of making pops with it! These are going in the freezer today!
Corinne
OMG so excited to make these tomorrow. I am going to try adding dark chocolate shavings ala coffee chip ice cream!
Heidi Kokborg
Mmmmm… They look so good! Perfect for summer 🙂
April
I may have to pick up some of those hemp hearts on my next trip to Costco! I’ve been eyeing them, but didn’t really have any great ideas to use them in….until now! Thanks!
Polly @ Tasty Food Project
I wish we had warm weather where I’m at! These ice pops looks delicious! I’m a big fan of coffee flavored treats!
Karen
Why the 1 tsp of ground coffee? I don’t see where it is added?
Megan
It’s blended in with all of the ingredients– it adds more of a coffee flavor that isn’t achieved by just using brewed coffee alone.
Ami@naivecookcooks
Wow I love coffee and I love having more excuses to have coffee!
Kezia
Great idea i often make too much coffee and shove it in cakes but an ice lolly is a good plan – yum!
Michelle @LALLnutrition
These look great! The hubby loves ice cream but this seems so much simpler to make. I need the Popsicle mold though 🙂 I will have to try this once the weather warms up around here. Thanks for the simple recipe!
sabijo
What about instant coffee?
Megan
Sure, I don’t see why that wouldn’t work! Just brew/mix 1 cup according to the package directions.
Holly
You are brilliant! I made these today and they are divine! I used half flax seeds and half chia seeds. They were so yummy that I made 3 more batches to have on hand in the freezer. I. Added a scoop of vanilla whey protein to the other batches. Wow, thank you for this accidental recipe!
sabijo
Cool. I was also asking about the instant coffee b/c I had heard some rumor that it is terrible for you, but I didn’t even wanna mention a rumor in case someone reads it without following through and continues to spread it…
(I drink so little of it that it probably doesn’t matter anyway!)
I have found hemp hearts at Costco and they taste pretty good! Very grassy, with creamy notes. I’ve started eating a handful in the morning. I don’t think I would ever have thought of this recipe, very cool idea. 🙂
Megan
Interesting! I’ve never even looked into instant coffee because I assume it doesn’t taste very good… Glad to hear you can find hemp hearts at Costco!
Natalie
Yum yum yum! The flavor of these remind me of a certain chocolate chip frozen coffee drink (but much cheaper and healthier!) I think next time I’ll throw some choco chips in just for good measure 😉 I’ve never tried hemp seeds until this recipe, and I was amazed at the creaminess they add. Thanks for a fantastic recipe (the popsicle liquid was delicious even before they were frozen!)
Holly
I have made these twice now. They are to die for!!! Megan, you are brilliant! I have also made this with hot coffee and then instead of putting it in popsicle molds, I put it in small glass bowls and refrigerate for several hours and then it’s delicious coffee pudding!