These rich and creamy ice pops are deceptively healthy.
Rather than relying on heavy dairy products, these pudding pops get their creamy texture from heart-healthy avocados!
Don’t worry if you’re not an avocado fan. The antioxidant-rich cacao powder will cover up any avocado taste, leaving you with a rich chocolate ice pop that tastes similar to a traditional fudgsicle! Just one avocado provides your body with vitamins A, C, E, K, B6, and potassium, along with all 18 essential amino acids necessary for the body to form a complete protein. You’ll also get a hefty boost of fiber with each bite!
Not bad for a frozen treat, right?
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Healthy Fudgsicles (Dairy-free, Soy-free)
makes 4 ice pops
Adapted from this recipe
Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado
1/4 cup raw cacao powder
3 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup water, or more as needed for blending
pinch of sea salt
Directions:
Scoop the flesh of the ripe avocado into a blender, and combine with the rest of the ingredients. Blend well, and adjust the flavor to taste, keeping in mind that the final frozen ice pops will be slightly less-sweet in flavor. Because avocados can vary in taste, based on ripeness and variety, you may need to add more cocoa powder or maple syrup to create a rich, chocolate flavor that you enjoy. The resulting batter will be thick and pudding-like, but you can thin with additional liquid, if you prefer.
The beauty of making raw desserts is that you can taste as you go, so you’ll never have a recipe flop!
Transfer the chocolate batter to your ice pop mold (I use this one), insert the wooden popsicle sticks, and place in the freezer to set for at least 6 hours, or until frozen solid.
To remove the frozen ice pops, I like to fill my kitchen sink with hot water and submerge the molds for about 20 seconds to loosen. They should pop right out! Store in a sealed container in the freezer until ready to serve.
A rich and creamy chocolate ice pop, featuring heart-healthy avocados and antioxidant-rich cacao powder.
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/4 cup raw cacao powder
- 3 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup water , or more as needed for blending
- pinch of sea salt
- Scoop the flesh of the ripe avocado into a blender, and combine with the rest of the ingredients.
- Blend well, and adjust the flavor to taste, keeping in mind that the frozen ice pops will be slightly less-sweet in flavor. Because avocados can vary in taste, based on ripeness and variety, you may need to add more cocoa powder or maple syrup to create a rich, chocolate flavor. The beauty of making raw desserts is that you can taste as you go, so you'll never have a recipe flop!
- Transfer the chocolate batter to your ice pop mold, insert the wooden popsicle sticks, and place in the freezer to set for at least 6 hours, or until frozen solid.
- To remove the frozen ice pops, I like to fill my kitchen sink with hot water and submerge the molds for about 20 seconds to loosen. They should pop right out!
- Store in a sealed container in the freezer until ready to serve.
Substitution Notes:
- For an extra-boost of fiber, try using several Medjool dates as a sweetener instead of maple syrup. (You’ll need a high-speed blender for a smooth texture, in this case.)
- For a sugar-free option, try sweetening with liquid stevia instead of maple syrup, to taste.
- Traditional cocoa powder can be used instead of raw cacao powder.
- Almond milk, or another non-dairy milk of choice, can be used instead of water, for an even creamier texture.
- For added flavor, try adding 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or a 3/4 cup of frozen cherries (like my favorite pudding!).
Enjoy!
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Reader Feedback: Have you tried using avocado in creamy desserts before? I don’t even like avocados that much, but I can’t get enough of them in my Cherry Chocolate Pudding!
Ellen
Thanks for the recipe. These are delicious!
Remy
Finally something without nuts, thank you!! I will try this recipe today!
Lisa | Mummy Made.It
You are so right! Avocado is the perfect sneaky ingredient! By boys love these…even when it’s not hot outside!
The Yummy Lounge
very very delicious and mouth watering…Thanks for sharing.
Paige
This is soooooo good!!! I did it exactly with the measurements that you said and they were spot on. Absolutely the right amount of creaminess and sweetness and wonderfulness. I was making chocolate mousse for my family so I went ahead and put it in the freezer but for short amount of time and it came out as this wonderful Rich pudding. I felt like the rest of my family was missing out
Bianca @ Sweet Dreaming
how many medjool dates would you recommend using if that’s the only sweetener?? can’t wait to try this out!!!
LL
Wow, these are so yummy! The recipe as written tastes like nice dark chocolate pudding – amazing.
On my second batch I was tweaking to taste and they ended up tasting exactly like chocolate ice cream!! I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk for the liquid, reduced the cocoa slightly, and added a bit of honey for extra sweetness. You can taste the avocado very slightly in the mix, but not at all once it’s frozen. Thanks for a great recipe – I can’t stop eating them!!:)
PoohBear11778
Hey Megan,
Your site is awesome. I’m loving all these healthy recipes.
Question-could I add peanut butter to these for a chocolate peanut butter taste?
Thank you!
Megan Gilmore
Sure!
Jaime
I finally made these and they were a hit with all three of my boys! I told them I wouldn’t tell them the ingredients until they tasted them first. My oldest said, “Mom, we love zucchini bread, so I think we can handle it. Tell us!” He doesn’t like avocado normally, but he (and the rest of us, too) loved it!
My molds might be smaller or my avocado bigger because I got 6 popsicles.
Thanks for another great recipe! I’ve loved every recipe I’ve made from you!
Nora
Hi Megan, these are good ! It only made three for me though. I love Diana’s Banana babies but they are expensive. This is a great healthy alternative. I’ll try the peanut butter ones next !
Danielle
hi! i used one banana instead of one avocado. it didnt produce much, i added one more banana and another 1/2 cup water, it still only produced four popsicles.
Any ideas?
Ruth
Hi Megan! I want to make these but was wondering if I could substitute some of the maple syrup with stevia? Was thinking of doing 1 tbsp maple syrup and sweeten to taste with stevia. Thoughts? Thanks!