Almond Butter Blueberry Popsicles Dipped in Chocolate, Sesame Seeds and Almonds

Ever since our return from Alaska the weather has been a bit of everything. From warm sunny days with a cooling breeze, to hot humid days similar to those in Dubai or even monsoon-like summer rainy days reminiscent to Bombay, to cool autumn-like mornings. It seems Mother Nature just is having trouble deciding on which weather to shower on us.

Well it’s August, the last few weeks of summer break lie ahead of us and we just need some really good constant summer weather. Nothing seems to stop us from enjoying the summer feeling here. Soeren was at Summer Camp for a week at the Baltic Sea and has brought back a “Life is a Beach!” spirit with him. Although I am busy working on a few new photography projects we are having fun together. He is an awesome help and comes to the rescue whenever I need extra hands, legs to run up and down and has many great ideas.

It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that he is going to be 14 this month! In Alaska the three of us spent a lot of time together and it was fantastic. There were no tantrums and no grumbling and we all got along for 3 weeks like a house on fire. When we returned he went off to Summer Camp and although I missed him it was just good not to have the responsibility and just focus on things I wanted. That really is a luxury I cherish! When he returned he seemed taller, more mature and his voice was deeper. I sent off a boy and a week later a young man returned. 

His feet are massive! I am astounded by the size of his feet. I have them pictured in my head as tiny, cute little feet that I loved to kiss as he lay on the bed when I was changing him. Now they are huge and everywhere! I still tickle them whenever he is crashed on the sofa and I get a deeper laugh back instead of those gurgled giggles

I am very much enjoying his company – he is a smart and intelligent young man and makes me laugh with his dry humor. The other day we decided to make ice cream. As I put together the ingredients, Soeren came back and told me the story of how popsicles were found. He has not fallen far from the tree. I too love researching the history and the background of all things that interest me. The fact that he has taken history for his iGCSE just makes me happy. I look forward to many evenings of researching and discussing the past with him.

We decided to make the ice cream into popsicles, so while he explained that it was in fact the mind of a young 11 year old boy behind the making of popsicles, I began creating our own popsicle flavor.

Popsicles were actually created accidently. Back in 1905, 11 year old Frank Epperson from Oakland California, forgot a glass filled with a powdered soda mix and a wooden stirring spoon outside on his porch. The next morning when young Frank Epperson found the liquid frozen solid, he ran the glass under hot water, removing the ice pop with the stick handle. The first popsicle was created. He called them “Epsicles” and made them for all his friends and family and later for his own children. It was not until 1923 that Frank Epperson filed for a patent for his invention. Up until then he continued to call them “Epsicles,” his children however preferred to call them Pop's 'sicles – that name stuck, the popsicles went viral and the rest is history! 

 

I was keen to make these popsicles with no sugar to make them a healthier treat and we generally prefer creamier versions of frozen desserts. With those basic decisions out of the way the rest was fairly easy. There were very ripe bananas on the table that were begging to be used and a jar of luscious smooth almond butter was the perfect ingredient for the creaminess we wanted.

A slight decadence is dipping the bars into melted dark chocolate and then coating them with crunchy toasted almonds and sesame. Vive la Summer!

As the real sweetness comes from the bananas make sure that the bananas you use are very ripe. Use smooth almond butter and if you prefer using raspberries or other fruit there are no limitations. You can also omit the berries altogether. We thought they added a tangy fruity flavor to the popsicles.

Recipe: Almond Butter Blueberry Popsicles Dipped in Chocolate, Sesame Seeds and Almonds

Print Recipe

By Meeta K. Wolff
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Makes: 8 popsicles

Ingredients

For the popsicles

• 355 ml almond milk
  
• 245 g thick Greek yogurt
  
• 90 g creamy almond butter
  
• 2 ripe bananas
  
• 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped put
  
• 100g fresh blueberries

For the chocolate dipping sauce

• 150 g dark chocolate
  
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  
• 150 g coarsely chopped almonds
  
• 1 tablespoons sesame seeds

Method

1. To make the popsicles mix all ingredients (for the popsicles), except the blueberries, in a food processor and process until smooth and creamy. Drop a few blueberries in popsicle molds then carefully pour the milk mixture into the popsicle molds.
   
2. Place the molds in the freezer for about an hour then remove. Jiggle the wooden popsicles sticks into the molds. Then place back into the freezer and freeze for at least 4 to 6 hours.
   
3. To remove the popsicles from the molds, run the plastic part of the mold under hot water for a few seconds.
   
4. Roast the sesame seeds and almonds until golden. Set aside and allow to cool.
   
5. Combine the chocolate and coconut oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently to keep from burning. When the chocolate has completely melted, remove from heat and set aside. Cool the chocolate completely before using.
   
6. Dip each popsicle in the melted chocolate then dip in the nuts and sesame seeds. Place on a tray lined with parchment paper and return to the freezer for a few minutes until chocolate has set.

---

Verdict

These are the perfect summer treat – as close to guilt-free as you can get without skimping on the flavor part. Dip only part of these, or drizzle it with, or sink the whole bar into the chocolate – you decide. I love having the choice to mix and match as it suits the tastes. The basic recipe is for keeps this summer!

Looking for a few more great ice cream and popsicle treats to beat the summer heat? My fiends have given me a few pretty cool recommendations - make sure you check them out!

• Simone loves popsicles: try her strawberry watermelon popsicles
• Aarthi “I have an addiction towards those” She has a fantastic selection in her recipe index but these rose milk popsicles caught my eye
• Lovely Anushruti has luscious mango popsicles!
• Georgina cools down with scoops of rhubarb crumble no churn ice cream
• Bet on Dinner’s easy four ingredient fudgsicles chocolaty and creamy!
• Taryn has low carb and sugar mocha fudsicles. 
• Sia comes from coastal region in India use coconuts in many recipes from drinks to curries, puddings to pancakes her Bonda Sharbat recipe is the basis of her popsicle experiments
• Marta makes boozy strawberry mojito popsicles
• Betsey also goes for the booze with her Pinot popsicles!
• Lisa makes these divine fruity strawberry margarita ice pops 
• Denise hits all the right spots with me with her Aperol Limeade Popsicles
• Mansi provides a quick pick me up with these coffee popsicles
• Tina’s mango strawberry popsicles are a great fruity treat
• Daniela gives us tropical feelings with her tropical mango pineapple popsicles

You might like these frozen treats from What’s for lunch, honey?:

Peach and Lavender Sorbet	Watermelon Ice Cream Lollies	Matcha Cherry Swirl Ice Cream

---

All photographs and written content on What's For Lunch, Honey? © 2006-2016 Meeta Khurana Wolff unless otherwise indicated. | All rights reserved | Please Ask First