Throw back to 1999. It’s mid August, I’m 7 years old and sitting on my back porch in the sweltering Okanagan heat.  It’s so hot that I can’t even muster up the energy to run through the sprinkler.  Mom enters.  She has an ice cold chocolate fudgesicle in hand.  She hands it to me and says “Here, this should help.”

DID IT EVER.

Fast forward over 20 years later to today.  It’s hot, and all I want is a fudgesicle but the list of ingredients on the store bought ones terrify me.

Idea.  Can I make a healthy fudgesicle?  Can I somehow make these sweet treats packed with healthful ingredients?  Why yes, yes I can.

 

Health Benefits? Absolutely.

Now I can’t give you a recipe without highlighting a few of the ingredients and their health benefits.

Raw Cacao, a superfood superstar.

It’s loaded with magnesium which helps with muscle relaxation and may help combat depression (1) and aid in migraine relief (2).

Cacao is packed with B vitamins and a mood improver called anandamide, this is known as the bliss molecule, which creates a feeling of euphoria.

Avocados, incredibly nutritious.

They contain more potassium than bananas which is vital for the body’s cells and serves multiple functions.  This includes regulating muscle and heart contractions (3), regulating fluid balance ensuring we are hydrated properly (4), and support the nervous system (5).

Avocado’s best quality?  That it’s loaded with heart healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. The majority of the fat in avocados is oleic acid has been associated with improving inflammation in the body (6).

These fruits are also loaded with fibre and many vitamins and minerals including Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Folate, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin E.

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed? One of these sweet treats might actually help calm you down.  Your nervous system will love their high levels of magnesium and healthy fats.  Besides, reaching for a sugar rich snack will actually impair your immune system.  Not something we want during this health crisis.

Now to the drool worthy recipe.

Creamy Avocado Chocolate Fudgesicle Recipe:

2 large ripe organic avocados, peeled

2/3 raw cacao powder

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup organic full fat coconut milk

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp sea salt

cacao nibs for garnish

 

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients (except cacao nibs) into a high speed blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth.
  2. Spoon the mixture into your popsicle molds. You can find these on Amazon or the dollar store. Make sure there are no bubbles, tap the mold gentle to ensure the mixture is reaches every corner.
  3. Insert popsicle sticks into the mixture, leaving enough for a handle!
  4. Place in freezer upright and freeze for 3 hours.
  5. Before serving, run the popsicle mold under warm water to release the fudgesicles.  Take them our carefully and let them sit for 2-5 minutes to soften slightly.
  6. Sprinkle cacao nibs for a little extra crunch!
  7. Enjoy, ideally with your feet in a pool.

 

References:

  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23950577/
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12786918/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4131448/
  4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1472029909002215
  5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123858702000056
  6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16484595/