Most people I know use umbrellas in downpours.
Not me.
I always say I won’t melt and shrug off the fact that I will inevitably look half-drowned after choosing not to use an umbrella; but the truth is I really can’t be bothered with the trouble (which of course is really no trouble at all) of using one (although there’s a quite large pretty black umbrella in my car at all times). I must be some kind of umbrella-phobe. Weird, right?
Now heat is another story. Coupled with high humidity, when temps over 85 hit me I actually do melt.
If you’re anything like me, you probably spend summer with a minimum of two fans pointed at you on top of the AC running, an ice pack on your neck, a glass of ice water at the ready, and a stash of popsicles in the freezer. This is my ammo, and I use it to keep cool the same way normal people use umbrellas to stay dry (or at least drier) in the rain.
When the fabulous Billy from Wit & Vinegar invited me to take part in Popsicle Week, I jumped at the chance. (Remember when I told you it was one of my summer goals to share more of my frozen healthy treat recipes with you? I wasn’t kidding.)
These pops are super satisfying if you have sweets on the mind. Toasting the coconut is what gives them a deep nutty flavor, so even though that takes the most time, don’t skip that step! When you’re eating them, you’ll be happy you took the 20 minutes. To give you fair warning, these pops are all about the coconut in both flavor and texture; if coconut is your thing, you will love them.
The really fun thing about these pops is that the chocolate coating is nothing more than the two-ingredient Coconut Oil-Chocolate Magic Shell recipe that has been floating around the internet for a few years now (after I’ve played around with the ratios a bit so the recipe is exactly how I want it). (Side Note: The first time I saw the recipe for Coconut Oil-Chocolate Magic Shell was from Brownie Points via The Kitchn over five years ago.)
For those who aren’t familiar with coconut oil, it melts at 76F, so when it hits a frozen popsicle it hardens immediately (because I wanted a thicker chocolate coating, I dipped more than once, and take note that subsequent dips after the first dip take longer to harden). When it hardens, it creates a beautiful crunchy chocolate shell. And really, what goes better with coconut than chocolate?
Of course you could go completely crazy with these if you want. You could dip the pops a few times (so the chocolate takes a little longer to set) and quickly before the chocolate sets, you could dip the chocolate in shredded coconut, chopped nuts, or sprinkles. I could see that being perfect birthday party food…instead of cake have a bunch of pops in the freezer ready to be coated with Magic Shell and dipped in whatever each person wants. The possibilities are endless and completely customizable.
I’m starting to think I could live off of popsicles. Anyone with me? ;)
A Note on the Popsicle Mold I Use: I’ve had a few people ask me lately about the popsicle mold I use. My favorite mold is the Progressive Frozen Pop Maker that I purchased on Amazon. I think it’s the perfect shape for pops, and I’ve never had any trouble using it – the key to getting the frozen popsicles to slide right out of the mold is to briefly dip the bottom of the mold in hot water.
- 1½ cups (125 g) unsweetened desiccated coconut
- 1 (13.66 fl oz/403 ml) can full-fat coconut milk
- ¼ cup (60 ml) pure maple syrup
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract (optional)
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¾ cup (150 g) chopped good-quality dark chocolate (see Note)
- ¼ cup (55 g) coconut oil
- Preheat oven to 325F; spread the coconut out in an even layer on a baking sheet and bake until golden, about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so. Cool completely. Whisk together the toasted coconut, coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, coconut extract (if using), and sea salt, and transfer to the fridge and chill until it has a porridge-like consistency, about 20 minutes.
- Spoon the mixture into popsicle molds, making sure not to fill the molds over the “fill” line, since liquid expands as it freezes. (My molds are 2½ oz/75 ml and I got exactly 8 popsicles.) Gently tap the mold a couple times on a hard surface to help any air bubbles escape, then insert the sticks.
- Transfer to the freezer and freeze completely, about 3 to 4 hours, depending on the size of your popsicles and how cold your freezer is. To easily unmold the popsicles, dip the plastic bottoms in warm water and they should slide right out.
- Once completely frozen and unmolded, lay the popsicles on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and transfer to the freezer. To make the chocolate coating, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a medium bowl in the microwave or a double boiler; cool the chocolate mixture to room temperature, then dip each popsicle into it. Hold the popsicle up for a few seconds so the chocolate shell can harden, then lay it flat on the lined sheet tray. Continue this way until all the popsicles are coated.
- Wrap each popsicle individually in plastic wrap and store in the freezer.
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products I believe in, which means that even though it doesn’t cost you anything extra, I will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items, which helps me keep this site alive – thank you for helping to support An Edible Mosaic!
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen says
I love every single ingredient in these pops! I know both kids and adults alike would love them. Pinned!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
oh my gawd, first time seeing these. . love!!!
alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
LOVE This
Audrey @ GlutenFreeVeganLove says
I love the heat! I bask in it. One of my favorite things ever is to step into a car that's been parked in the sun all day :). I do hate humidity and "sticky" weather though.
These pops look amazing! Love chocolate and toasted coconut. Will definitely make these as soon as the weather warms up a bit.
Bridget Brewer says
just made these--awesomely good. I didn't have unsweetened coconut so I used sweetened coconut and halved the recipe amount of maple syrup. Thanks for the recipe.
Jaya says
Wow, these popsicles turned out amazingly! I changed one thing: I used refrigerated coconut milk, so it really increased in volume and attained that texture quite fast. BUT (and this is a good but!) I had double the popsicle "batter" and had lots leftover after making 6 popsicles. I combined the rest with some roasted peaches and threw it in the ice cream maker for the win! Beautiful photos, beautiful writing and beautiful blog!!
Valynn (Vanillyn) says
Chocolate coated popsicle is one of my childhood favorite. These pops look divine!
grace says
i haven't had a popsicle of any sort for years, yet suddenly, i'm in the mood for one. :)
Ashley - Baker by Nature says
I'm not an umbrella person either! We're meant to be besties ;)
These popsicles also have me weak in the knees! Just thought you should know!
Evelyne@cheapethniceatz says
I do not tolerate heat either, particularly humidity. These are a great way to stay cool. Love the coconut flavor here and who can a chocolate shell. In Chicago I had a chocolate covered cheesecake slice!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I adore the chocolate coating on these pops!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says
Faith you would fit right in here in Seattle - nobody ever uses umbrellas. Ever! Those pops sounds and look amazing!!!
Sarah Crowder (punctuated. with food) says
Toasted coconut such a great idea! My sister cut out dairy so I'm going to make these for her birthday next week.
Holly says
Could I use sweetened coconut and drop the maple syrup maybe? I'm not actually sure where to buy unsweetened coconut.
Faith says
Holly, I haven't tried it, but I think it would be delicious that way! If you want, you could taste the batter before you freeze the popsicles to see if you want to add additional sweetener or not. Also, I just wanted to mention that I usually buy my unsweetened shredded coconut from Bob's Red Mill...there is a local grocery store that carries a pretty big selection of their products, but I also occasionally order it online directly from Bob's Red Mill. Hope this helps!
kita says
These look beautiful and sound perfect to cool off with on a hot summer day. All flavors I love. :)
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
Lovin' popsicle week! The chocolate on the outside is an excellent idea!!
Eileen says
You know, I'm not normally that into popsicles, but these? YES PLEASE RIGHT NOW. :) Chocolate and coconut sounds SO good in popsicle form.
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste says
I absolutely adore anything and everything involving coconut and can't wait to try these!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Oh my gosh... they look and sound AMAZING. Nothing better than coconut... except coconut with chocolate!
cindy says
I'm a bit of a wuss and always use an umbrella or hood when it rains 'cause I just can't deal with my bangs going all curly.
PS, we were totes on the same wavelength for popsicle week! I love this flavor combon, obvi ;)
Erica says
hahah- I never use an umbrella either. I'm not sure we even own one? I'm always like geez, by the time I get it up I'm already wet. BUT- I love the heat :) And I would love one of these pops. Coconut and chocolate heaven
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
These look sooo good! Can't wait to try!
Rosa says
Divine! Those popsicles look really tempting and must be really luscious.
Cheers,
Rosa