Creamy & Refreshing Coconut Mint Chocolate Popsicles: Your Healthy Summer Treat!
If the thought of a cool, creamy, mint chocolate chip ice cream sends delightful shivers down your spine, then prepare to fall head over heels for these incredible **Coconut Mint Chocolate Popsicles**! Crafted with just five wholesome ingredients, these popsicles are a guilt-free pleasure, entirely free from artificial colors or flavors. They are not just a dessert; they’re a truly refreshing, healthy, and utterly satisfying indulgence perfect for chasing away the summer heat. Imagine the invigorating burst of fresh mint perfectly balanced with rich dark chocolate and the creamy, tropical essence of coconut – all in one delightful frozen treat.
These homemade popsicles are a fantastic alternative to store-bought options, allowing you complete control over what goes into your dessert. They’re naturally dairy-free and vegan-friendly, making them accessible for a wider range of dietary needs. Beyond their delicious flavor, their vibrant green hue comes from a secret, natural ingredient, ensuring a beautiful presentation without any artificial additives. Get ready to transform your summer days with this easy-to-make, unbelievably tasty frozen delight!
Why These Coconut Mint Chocolate Popsicles Are a Game Changer for Summer
My recent acquisition of a popsicle maker has truly revolutionized my approach to summer treats. Gone are the days of feeling limited to traditional ice cream. Now, there’s a perfect popsicle for every craving and occasion! From nutritious green smoothie popsicles for a healthy boost to creamy yogurt popsicles that taste remarkably like frozen yogurt, the possibilities are endless. But nothing quite hits the spot like these Coconut Mint Chocolate Popsicles when you’re yearning for that classic combination reminiscent of your favorite thin mint cookies.
What makes these **coconut mint chocolate popsicles** truly special is their commitment to natural goodness. Many mint-flavored recipes rely on artificial peppermint extract and green food coloring to achieve that iconic taste and vibrant hue. However, my goal was to create a treat that’s as wholesome as it is delicious. This is where a brilliant little secret comes into play: fresh spinach! Before you raise an eyebrow, hear me out: a small handful of spinach is blended into the mixture, providing the most beautiful, natural green color without altering the taste one bit. You won’t even know it’s there, but you’ll certainly appreciate the vibrant, authentic look it provides.
The authentic mint flavor, on the other hand, comes from a more traditional and aromatic method. We gently steep fresh mint leaves in warm coconut milk, allowing the milk to infuse with all the refreshing essence of the herb. This creates a beautifully fragrant and naturally minty base that artificial extracts simply cannot replicate. Once steeped, everything is blended together until silky smooth, poured into molds, and frozen to perfection. The result? A creamy, intensely chocolatey, and wonderfully minty popsicle that’s incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to impress. Give this recipe a try; you absolutely won’t be disappointed!
Essential Ingredients for Your Healthy Mint Chocolate Popsicles
Creating these delightful popsicles requires only a handful of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in their irresistible flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 14-oz can full-fat coconut milk: This is the secret to achieving that luscious, creamy texture without any dairy. Full-fat is essential for richness and to prevent an icy consistency.
- ¼ cup sugar: Just enough to sweeten the popsicles without making them overly sugary. You can adjust this to your preference or use an alternative sweetener.
- 1 cup packed fresh mint leaves: The star of the show for that authentic, bright mint flavor. Fresh leaves are key – avoid dried mint for this recipe.
- 1 cup fresh spinach: Our natural food coloring! It imparts a beautiful green hue without any discernible taste, making it a clever way to add a hidden veggie boost.
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips (or chopped baking chocolate): For those delightful chocolatey notes and a beautiful drizzle. Dark chocolate complements the mint and coconut perfectly, but semi-sweet works too.
Helpful Kitchen Tools to Make Your Popsicle Journey Smooth
Having the right tools can make the process of crafting these delicious **mint chocolate popsicles** even more enjoyable and efficient. Here are some items you might find useful:
- Blender: Essential for achieving a super smooth mixture, especially to fully break down the spinach and mint. A high-speed blender works best, but any standard blender will do the job with a bit of patience.
- Mesh sieve: Crucial for straining out the steeped mint leaves, ensuring a smooth, pulp-free popsicle base.
- Double boiler: Ideal for melting chocolate gently and evenly, preventing it from seizing or burning. If you don’t have one, a heat-resistant bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water works just as well.
- Popsicle mold: The obvious necessity! Various types are available, from classic plastic to silicone, allowing for easy removal of your frozen treats.
These tools will help you effortlessly create perfectly formed and beautifully flavored homemade popsicles.
Dive Deeper: Crafting Your Perfect Mint Chocolate Popsicles
Making these **Coconut Mint Chocolate Popsicles** is a straightforward process, but following these detailed steps will ensure you get the best possible flavor and texture. From infusing the coconut milk with fresh mint to achieving that perfect chocolate drizzle, every step is designed for delicious success.
- Prepare the Mint-Infused Coconut Milk: Begin by combining the full-fat coconut milk and sugar in a medium saucepan. Place it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is hot and gently steaming. It’s important not to let it boil to prevent the coconut milk from separating or scorching. This gentle heat helps the sugar dissolve fully and prepares the milk for mint infusion.
- Steep the Fresh Mint: Once the coconut milk mixture is hot, remove the saucepan from the heat. Immediately add the fresh mint leaves. Stir them into the warm milk, ensuring they are fully submerged. Allow the mint leaves to steep for a good 15 to 30 minutes. This steeping process is crucial for extracting the vibrant, natural mint flavor. The longer you steep, the more intense the mint flavor will be, so adjust according to your preference. After steeping, discard the used mint leaves.
- Strain for Smoothness: Carefully strain the mint-infused coconut milk through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl or directly into your blender. This step ensures that no stray mint leaf bits remain, giving your popsicles a perfectly smooth texture.
- Blend with the Green Secret: Pour the strained, minty coconut milk into a blender. Now, add the fresh spinach. Secure the lid and blend on high until the spinach is completely broken down and the mixture is uniformly green and silky smooth. The spinach will vanish, leaving behind only its beautiful natural color and a boost of nutrients!
- Pour and Freeze: Divide the blended mixture evenly among 6 to 8 popsicle molds. Make sure to leave a little room at the top for expansion during freezing. Insert your popsicle sticks and place the molds in the freezer. Freeze until the popsicles are completely solid, which typically takes at least 6 hours, but overnight is recommended for best results.
- Prepare the Chocolate Drizzle: Just before you’re ready to serve your popsicles, prepare the chocolate drizzle. Place the dark chocolate chips (or chopped baking chocolate) in a heat-resistant bowl. Bring a small pot of water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Set the bowl of chocolate over the simmering water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Stir constantly with a spatula until most of the chocolate has melted. Remove the bowl from the heat and continue stirring until all the chocolate is smooth and fully melted. This tempering method helps create a shiny, even drizzle that hardens beautifully.
- Unmold and Drizzle: To easily remove the frozen popsicles from their molds, run the outside of the molds under warm water for a few seconds. This gentle warmth helps release them. Once loosened, carefully pull each popsicle from its mold. Immediately drizzle them generously with the melted dark chocolate. For an extra touch of texture and visual appeal, you can optionally sprinkle a dash of finely chopped chocolate on top before the drizzle sets. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade, refreshing treat!
Customization & Serving Suggestions
These **Coconut Mint Chocolate Popsicles** are fantastic as is, but don’t hesitate to get creative with variations! For a different flavor profile, consider adding a pinch of pure vanilla extract to the coconut milk mixture before blending. If you’re a fan of different chocolate types, white chocolate or milk chocolate could also be used for drizzling, though dark chocolate provides a lovely contrast to the mint. You could even swirl a thin layer of melted chocolate into the popsicle molds before filling them for a fun marbled effect.
Serve these popsicles at your next summer barbecue, pool party, or simply as a refreshing after-dinner treat. They’re also perfect for a quick, healthy snack on a hot afternoon. To make them extra special for guests, you can serve them standing upright in a glass filled with ice, making them easy to grab and enjoy. Kids and adults alike will adore these vibrant, flavorful, and wonderfully cool treats!
Benefits of Choosing Homemade Popsicles
Opting for homemade popsicles, especially recipes like these **healthy mint chocolate popsicles**, offers numerous advantages over their store-bought counterparts. Firstly, you gain complete control over the ingredients. This means no artificial colors, no questionable flavors, and no high-fructose corn syrup – just natural, wholesome goodness. For those with dietary restrictions or allergies, homemade is a fantastic way to ensure your treats are safe and suitable.
Secondly, making popsicles at home is surprisingly cost-effective. A few simple ingredients yield a batch of delicious treats that would cost significantly more if purchased individually. It’s also an incredibly fun and engaging activity, perfect for involving children in the kitchen. They’ll love helping to blend the colorful ingredients and watching their creations freeze. Finally, there’s an immense satisfaction that comes with enjoying something you’ve made from scratch. These **refreshing coconut popsicles** embody health, flavor, and the joy of simple, delicious living.
Explore More Minty Delights
If you’re like me and truly LOVE mint flavored desserts, then these popsicles are just the beginning! The refreshing, invigorating taste of mint pairs beautifully with chocolate and other sweet treats. Be sure to explore some of our other incredibly popular mint recipes on the blog for year-round enjoyment:
- Mint Chocolate Lasagna: A delightful no-bake dessert featuring layers of chocolatey goodness and a creamy, cool mint filling. It’s a minty twist on a classic, perfect for potlucks or family gatherings.
- Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream: Forget the store-bought versions! This recipe delivers truly authentic, creamy mint chocolate chip ice cream right from your kitchen. Who doesn’t love the timeless combination of fresh mint and rich chocolate in a scoop of ice cream?
- Chocolate Mint Cookies: Soft, chewy chocolate cookies with a refreshing minty frosting. These are incredibly delicious and perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, or anytime you need a special treat.
- Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream: A beloved ice cream flavor, made from scratch! This festive dessert is a wonderful substitute for traditional ice cream around the holidays, offering a bold and refreshing peppermint kick.
Discover More Refreshing Popsicle Recipes
Beyond the mint and chocolate, there’s a whole world of delightful popsicles to explore! If you’re enjoying the simplicity and deliciousness of homemade frozen treats, you’ll love these other fantastic popsicle recipes:
- Creamsicle Popsicles: A nostalgic treat that perfectly captures the tangy and creamy flavors of a classic creamsicle.
- Cherry Yogurt Popsicles: Creamy, fruity, and packed with the goodness of yogurt, these are a healthy and delicious snack.
- Green Smoothie Popsicles: A clever way to sneak in your greens, these healthy popsicles are surprisingly tasty and incredibly refreshing.
- Mint Chocolate Popsicles: (A direct link to this recipe, for consistency)
- Mango Yogurt Popsicles: Tropical mango meets creamy yogurt in this delightful and naturally sweet frozen treat.
- Raspberry Mango Popsicles: A vibrant and fruity combination that’s bursting with sweet and tart flavors.
- Strawberry Banana Popsicles: A classic fruit combination that makes for a universally loved, simple, and refreshing popsicle.
- Blueberry Cheesecake Popsicles: Indulgent and creamy, these popsicles capture the essence of a favorite dessert in frozen form.
- Mixed Fruit Popsicles: Simple, colorful, and packed with natural fruit flavors, these are endlessly customizable based on your favorite fruits.
Mint Chocolate Coconut Popsicles
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It
Pin It
Rate It
Save ItSaved!
Ingredients
- 14 oz full-fat coconut milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed fresh mint leaves
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips or chopped baking chocolate (plus more for sprinkling at the end, optional)
Instructions
-
Combine the full-fat coconut milk and sugar in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium/low heat until the mixture is hot and steaming, but not boiling. Stir occasionally to ensure the sugar dissolves completely.
-
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the fresh mint leaves to the hot coconut milk. Stir them in to combine, then allow the mint leaves to steep for 15 to 30 minutes to infuse their flavor. Discard the mint leaves after steeping.
-
Using a mesh sieve, strain the mint-infused milk into a blender or a clean bowl, ensuring all mint leaf particles are removed for a smooth base.
-
Add the strained minty coconut milk and fresh spinach to a blender. Puree on high speed until the spinach is completely broken down and the mixture is smooth and uniformly green.
-
Carefully pour the mixture into 6 to 8 popsicle molds. Insert the popsicle sticks and freeze for at least 6 hours, or until completely solid. Freezing overnight is ideal.
-
Just before you’re ready to serve, melt the chocolate for drizzling. Add the dark chocolate chips to a heat-resistant bowl. Bring a pot of water to a gentle boil, then place the bowl of chocolate over the boiling water (ensure the bowl does not touch the water). Stir constantly until the chocolate is mostly melted. Remove the bowl from the steam and continue stirring until all the chocolate has melted and is smooth.
-
Remove the frozen popsicles from the freezer. To loosen them, run the molds under warm water for a few seconds. Gently remove each popsicle from its mold. Drizzle generously with the melted chocolate, and if desired, sprinkle with a dash of finely chopped chocolate for an extra crunch. Serve immediately!
Nutrition Information
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
