Healthy Fudgesicles

When the weather warms up, I crave frozen treats like fudgesicles. But, of course, most fudgesicles aren't vegan, and even worse, they aren't healthy. So, I took my Chocolate Vegan Pudding recipe and tweaked it a little to make healthy vegan fudgesicles. Not only did I try to create vegan fudgesicles, but I also aimed to make them healthy and sugar-free. So, if you're craving a creamy, frozen chocolate treat, look no further. 

What ingredients are in a typical fudgesicle? 

In the original Fudgesicle recipe I used to eat as a kid, the ingredients shocked me. Obviously, parents don't read labels. Since transitioning to a plant-based diet, I now read labels. As a general rule, I search for products with few ingredients and always ingredients with familiar meanings. These ingredients, however disturbing, exist.  

• Non-fat milk
• Sugar
• Corn Syrup
• Whey: is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained.
• High Fructose Corn Syrup
• Water
• Palm OIl: Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp of the fruit of the oil palms
• Cocoa Processed with Alkali: Dutch-process or alkalized cocoa is chemically processed to reduce the acidity and harshness of natural cocoa.
• Mono-and Diglycerides: are emulsifiers, which means they help oil and water to blend.
• Cellulose Gum:  which comes from the cell walls of plants such as wood pulp and cottonseeds, is used to make foods thick and creamy.
• Guar Gum: is a galactomannan polysaccharide extracted from guar beans with thickening and stabilizing properties useful in food, feed, and industrial applications. 
• Malted Barley Extract
• Salt
• Polysorbate 80: Polysorbate 80 is a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier often used in foods and cosmetics.
• Polysorbate 65: one of many chemical compounds in a Twinkie. One ingredient is ethylene oxide, a highly flammable material that's toxic if consumed in extremely high amounts.
• Carrageenan:  is an extract from a red seaweed commonly known as Irish Moss. This edible seaweed is native to the British Isles, where it's been used in traditional cooking for hundreds of years. It's also widely used in the food industry, mostly as a thickener and gelling agent.

Surprisingly, Fudgesicle brand chocolate pops fill the frozen popsicle section in stores. 

What ingredients are in healthy vegan fudgesicles? 

Instead, opt for vegan fudgesicles with only six ingredients! Believe it or not, these fudgesicles taste better than any processed fudge pop on the market. 

Fudgesicle Ingredients

• Sweet Potatoes (orange)
• Unsweetened Oat Milk (or plant milk of choice)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla extract
• Medjool dates pitted

How to make homemade fudgesicles

First, peel and cut the sweet potatoes into the same sized pieces and place the sweet potato pieces in a pot and cover with water. 

• Add a teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil.
• Then reduce to simmer, and cover for 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are soft when pierced with a fork.
• Drain and set aside
• Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender. 
• If dates aren't soft, see directions for softening BEFORE blending.
• Blend all the ingredients until smooth. 

How to soften dates (if stiff) 

Although most dates are soft enough for blending, sometimes dates harden a bit. To soften dates quickly, boil a cup of water, soak the dates for 10 minutes, drain them, and then add them to the pudding ingredients. 

For this vegan fudgesicle recipe, I chose popsicle molds.  Because molds often different in size, the amount of fudgesicles varies. So, depending on the type of mold, the amount of fudgesicle liquid differs.

If, for some reason, you end up with too much, place the leftovers in dessert bowls and refrigerate until chilled for vegan chocolate pudding. 

Once blended, pour the chocolate liquid into the molds and pop the sticks into place. 

Then place the molds in the freezer overnight. 

Fudgesicle Variations for different flavors

• Add 2 Tablespoons PBFit for a peanut butter/chocolate variation
• Blend in 1 banana for a banana chocolate flair
• Exchange almond extract for a nuttier taste
• Switch the vanilla extract with coconut extract for a coconut flavor
• Include 2 Tablespoons coffee for a coffee mocha flavor

Now, remove the fudgesicles from the molds and enjoy!  

FAQ

Do these fudge pops taste like real fudgesicles?

• Yes! They are creamy and delicious. You would never know they are made from sweet potatoes.

Can I use any type of popsicle mold?

• Any popsicle mold or even ice cube trays work well. I prefer the reusable sticks, but wooden sticks work too. 

Can all varieties of sweet potatoes work (different colors)?

• No. Orange sweet potatoes produce a creamier texture for freezing. 

Do you love healthy desserts? Try these healthy vegan desserts

• Vegan Vanilla Pudding
• Mini Chocolate Donuts
• Pomegranate Chocolates
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
• Simple Vegan Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Vegan Apple Crisp
• Fruit Salsa Recipe
• Apple Cinnamon Bread
• Lemon Blueberry Bread

Yield: 8 servings

Fudgesicles

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Vegan fudgesickles are creamy, healthy, and delicious. Made with only 6 ingredients, these fudgesicles are sugar-free and fabulous. So if you're craving a frozen chocolate treat, look no further.

Print

Ingredients

Fudgesicles

• 2 Orange Sweet Potatoes (or orange sweet potatoes) (yield 2 1/2 cups), peeled and cut into equal-sized chunks.
• 2 cups unsweetened oat milk (or plant milk of choice)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 Tablespoons maple syrup or date syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 Medjool dates, pitted

Instructions

1. Peel and cut sweet potatoes into equal-sized chunks
2. Place cut and peeled potato chunks in a pot and cover with water.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, and cover for 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are soft and pierced with a fork.
4. In the meantime, in a glass measuring cup, boil one cup of water in the microwave and place the pitted dates in the water to soften for easier blending.
5. Drain dates.
6. Drain potatoes and allow to cool to the touch
7. In a high-speed blender, add the plant milk first, followed by the sweet potatoes, pitted dates, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
8. Blend on high until smooth
9. Then, transfer the contents of the blender to the popsicle molds and add the sticks.
10. Freeze Overnight

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  NutriBullet Pro 900 Hi-Speed Blender/Mixer, 9-piece Set
• 
  McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract, 1 fl oz
• 
  Just Date Syrup: Award-Winning Organic Date Syrup I Two 8.8 OZ Squeeze Bottles I Low-Glycemic, Vegan, Paleo | 1 Ingredient : 100% California Medjool Dates
• 
  365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Pure 100% Grade A Maple Syrup, Dark Color Robust Taste, 32 Fl Oz
• 
  Popsicle Molds，Popsicle Mold 10 Pieces Silicone Ice Pop Mold Popsicle Easy Release (10 Cavities, Light Blue)

Nutrition Information

Yield

8 servings

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 143Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 9mgCarbohydrates 41gFiber 4gSugar 30gProtein 3g

Nutrition facts may not be 100% accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

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Kathy Carmichael

Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me