These lightly sweetened dairy-free Fudgsicles are a major hit with my chocolate loving teenage son. I love homemade Fudgsicles because with just 5 ingredients they’re super easy to make. Better yet? This low-carb popsicle recipe is sweetened with only one date for the entire batch!
This rich fudgey frozen treat also has a bit of stevia in it, which you can likely omit entirely or replace with some other sweetener of your choice. If you do experiment with this recipe, please stop back by and let us know how it goes! I made these Fudgsicles around a dozen times to get all of the proportions just right, so I haven’t had a chance to enjoy trying substitute ingredients to the recipe below.
- 1 (13.5 ounce) can full fat coconut milk
- 2 ounces 100% dark chocolate (baker's chocolate)
- 1 date (remove pit)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla stevia
- In a vitamix blend coconut milk and chocolate until smooth
- Blend in date, vanilla powder, and stevia
- Pour into popsicle molds and set timer for 30 minutes
- Place sticks into semi-frozen popsicles
- Freeze for 2 hours
- Serve
I have a couple of new and more unusual ingredients in this dairy-free Fudgsicle recipe –vanilla powder and 100% chocolate. Vanilla powder is a fantastic ingredient. Be sure to buy pure vanilla powder so that you don’t end up with the type that has added sugar or corn starch. Vanilla powder is simply pure vanilla beans, excavated from the pod for you –it’s amazingly fragrant! The chocolate I use in the recipe above is basically a bar of unsweetened baking chocolate. I use this in order to control the amount of sugar (of any sort natural, or otherwise) that I am consuming.
I’ve been cutting way back on my consumption of sweets lately, avoiding sweet fruit and staying away from baked goods even if they’re made with unrefined sugar, or natural sweeteners. When the boys were little the 3 of us were on this diet for several years –no joke.
Back then we called it the candida diet, and we really needed to be on it as one of the boys and I both had pretty bad candida overgrowth in our systems. Now we’re all healthy enough to eat anything we want –well, not gluten or grains, those are big no no’s for me as I cannot digest them and so don’t even indulge occasionally. With these types of eating restrictions, healthy paleo desserts like my homemade Fudgsicles, really hit the spot on a hot summer day.
I’ve been posting a bunch of fun photos of food and our house on my Instagram page. I recently shot one of a melted fudgsicle and shared it over there. If you make these popsicles be sure to post a photo of them on Instagram and tag it #elanaspantry so that I can see it!
Here are some of my other paleo dessert recipes that are great for summer!
Hélène says
Just wanted to share that I made these about a year ago and had some left over that didn’t fit into my popsicle molds so I put the extra in the refrigerator. The next day, I took a spoonful and it was the most divine chocolate mousse I ever had!!! Btw, I don’t care for Stevia so substituted by adding two extra dates. I now also throw in a dash of scotch or rum instead of vanilla and all I can say is WoW! Best most decadent yet healthy dessert EVER! So easy. Thank you for your great recipes, I enjoy all of them and have bought most of your cookbooks. You rock. :)
Elana says
Thanks so much Helene!
Dawna Barber says
So what can I substitute for the Stevia? We are allergic to it, but I love the rest!
Elana says
Hi Dawna, I haven’t tried making this recipe without stevia so not sure. If you do experiment, please let us know how it goes.
Beverly says
Willbe making these they look delicious. I saw your home and gardens it is beautiful. May you enjoy always be healthy.
Elana says
Thanks Beverly!
KarlaW says
Has anyone tried making these with carob powder or carob chips? I sadly cannot have chocolate but I so miss fudgsicles! I will let you know if I try the subsitution.
barbara says
where do you purchase the bakers chocolate? what brand ?
Elana Amsterdam says
Barbara,
If you click on the green text in the ingredients portion of the recipe you will be taken to specific info on each item I use :-)
Cee says
What purpose does the date serve? Is there a substitution for it?
Elana says
Cee, it sweetens the recipe. I haven’t tried any substitutions for it so not sure.
Nicky says
Your recipe was great, Elana. I followed it to a T and then added 2 very ripe bananas to my Blendtec. They were creamy and DELISH!! I also followed the recipe and then added 1 TBSP of peanut butter for added creaminess. It’s a bit more fattening, but boy, were they a hit with my 3 year old niece.
Elana says
Nicky, thanks for letting us know this was great!
Paige says
Hi Elana, thank you for the recipe! Any reason why you suggest to wait 30 minutes before inserting the popsicle sticks? Thanks!
Elana says
Paige, so they don’t slip to the bottom of the popsicles.
Nina says
Amazing recipe — one to try this summer! :) I’d probably omit the vanilla powder and stevia and add vanilla-flavoured whey instead, simply because I have it at hand at all times.
Angela says
I used the soup setting on my Blendtec, so that it would warm up a bit, and melt the chocolate.
Joni Renee Zalk says
What number do you put the vitamix on when you mix? do you put it on high or on a number?
Elana says
Joni, I use the highest setting.
Joni Renee Zalk says
Can you just use vanilla stevia rather than vanilla and stevia?
Elana says
Joni, I haven’t tried that so not sure.
Mr Bear says
I have made these about every other week since my original comment in August.
It has become one of my top 5 recipes i make on a regular basis. I see the recipe has been updated to advise to remove the seed from the Date. Thanks for doing that!
Some things i do differently that fit my taste. For me its flavor, texture and appearance that come together to truly fool this bear into the healthy treats. Not knocking this original recipe at all. it is SOOOO good as it is. But this is what I do to make it good for me.
if new to vitamix (like i was) use the lowest setting you can to get everything mixed well. the higher settings whip a LOT of air into the mix and the air bubbles allow more ice crystals to form as it freezes making it more of a popsicle texture then a creamy fudgsicle consistency that I prefer. The lower settings make a denser consistency with less air bubbles. Not a error in the recipe, just fits better for my taste
I like to use a can of coconut cream instead of coconut milk. yes it adds more fat but for me it goes again to the texture i am looking for.
I have stopped using the can of cream now that I am using Elana’s homemade coconut milk recipe and I save the top layer of cream that separates out until i have enough to make a fudgsicle recipe. It gives me more motivation to drink my coconut milk so I can make more fudgsicles!
As a couple have mentioned I also use 2 dates instead of 1 and eliminate the stevia along with using vanilla extract since I don’t have the powder.
Also i do like to melt the chocolate since it allows me to use a lower setting on the vitamix to go along with the comments above.
Last tip is if you use 1/2 tablespoon of a mild flavored nut-butter the consistency is almost spot on to what I look for and gives that little extra richness flavor wise with out being a peanut butter fudgsicle. However if thats what you want, and its what I do every other time i make these the addition of 1-2 tablespoon of a heavier nut nut-butter knocks this out of the park for texture and flavor. SOOOO good.
I tell everyone I know about this recipe and how good it is. I serve it so often for desert when i have friends over for dinner that I usually get asked if I am making them when i send out the invites!
Thank you for all you do Elana! Keep fighting the good fight as you are helping so many with the food that is so important for all!
Mr Bear says
I also find that my freezer takes a little longer then 2 hours to freeze them properly
Roula says
yummy! These look fantastic! I recently came across a very similar recipe (from Dr. Oz’s “Total 10” program)–but I love the popsicle idea, and I think my 3-year-old will love it! Thanks for sharing, will let you know how it goes!
Pam Kuehl says
Loved this! Then I upgraded it to Trader Joe’s coconut CREAM and used Callebaut chocolate (yum) from Whole Foods. It’s a block – broke off pieces – used a kitchen scale. These were so rich and creamy!
I don’t have a Vitamix so I poured very hot water over the chopped up date to soften it more. And then heated the chocolate just to soften it a little. Used my hand blender.
Thanks Elana for this recipe!
Amy Moore says
I LOVE these! The basic recipe is super yummy, but also leaves tons of room for creativity.
For those without a vitamiix, I use date molasses and melt my chocolate. Works well and is easy.
Some of my favorite flavor experiments…
1. Add instant expression for super rich flavor
2. Use mint extract for refreshing chocolate mint
3. Orange extract made a lovely orange chocolate mix
4. My favorite variation so far was Mexican chocolate with added expresso, cinnamon and a small dash of Cheyenne.
Pamela Strong says
Wow! were these ever scrumptious! my 3 granddaughters loved them! I changed it up a bit: I used 2 dates, omitted the stevia and added 2 Tbsp honey, used 1/2 tsp vanilla instead of vanilla powder, along with the coconut milk and chocolate in my vitamix. I poured the mix into 3 oz plastic cups and put them in the freezer. after 1 hr I stuck wooden popsicle sticks into the middle of them. MMMM! Thx for the nummy recipe!
Mr Bear says
To some one new to using dates a great suggestion in the recipe instructions would be to remove the seed. Even in my vitamix the seed did not grind up all the way.
To those who are asking about the bakers chocolate…2 oz was 2 cubes. I just tossed everything in all together and blended and the chocolate came out smooth. No need to chop up the bar.
Susan says
If you’re using Bakers brand of chocolate, note that they recently changed the inner packaging. In addition, whereas 1 block was 1 oz, two squares is now one ounce.
Onalee says
I used my Magic Bullet and they turned out super
littales says
Thanks for sharing your story and great recipes with all of us! I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Award if you’re ever interested in sharing more about your personal blogging journey
http://literaryeurope.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/celebrate-sunshine/
Emily @ Tips on Healthy Living says
Looks so great! These used to be my favorites. I appreciate the new recipe…thank you!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
Those look wonderful! I’ve been using dates to sweeten things lately, too. I am severely intolerant to Stevia though- it’s much worse than my lactose intolerance. I’ve never heard of anyone else who is! I will try these with just a date or two more added- I find coconut milk tends to sweeten things on it’s own. Really excited to see your lower sugar recipes– I like to use as little as possible in my recipes too.
Karen says
Michele…I react to Stevia also. Tried the liquid stevia and felt as if my throat was swelling! Then I read that stevia is a relative of ragweed…and I am very allergic to ragweed. I use erythritol as a sweetener now.
Libby says
I am also highly sensitive to Stevia also. I thought it was how it was processed, but then I tried eating a leaf of stevia right out of the garden and got the runs within an hour…
Yolie says
I’m allergic to coconut. What other substitute do you suggest? Thank you.
Emily says
I bet any homemade non-dairy milk, such as cashew or almond milk would work!
William says
Awesome, I have got to try this! Thanks a lot, Elana!
Elisabeth Silva says
I just made these with a Zoku qick pop maker. They are wonderful – even my anti-health food teenager loved them! I used semi-sweet baking chocolate because it was all I had on hand. So I omitted the stevia. I used Watson`s vanilla extract instead of vanilla powder. I know that is a lot of substitutions, but they are great! Thank you, Elana. You are a such a blessing as well as an inspiration!
Deb says
I only use cacao powder.mmhow would you substitute for bakers chocolate?
Holly says
Deb, my can of cocoa powder says to use 3 level TBSP cocoa powder plus 1 TBSP fat (oil butter or palm shortening should all work) –for each 1oz of baking chocolate. This is what I plan on using:)
Holly says
If you make these with this substitution, will you please come back and let us all know how it turns out? Thanks!
Karen Taylor says
Elana, could you post on how to make this WITHOUT a vitamix? Lots of us don’t have one…greatly appreciated, Thank you!
Elana says
Karen, I haven’t tried that so not sure :-)
Judith says
I’m going to try grinding up some vanilla seeds and making this with coconut cream, too (probably too rich, but I’m going to try it.)
Thanks for posting again, Elana! I’m sorry it’s been so tough lately but I’m delighted you’re posting again and I love these very low sweetener recipes – they work well for me.
Chris Smith says
So you have a link for where to order the molds for the fudgesicles?
Bonnie Woods says
I would love to find fudgesicle molds as well.
Elana says
If you click on the green words “popsicle mold” in the instruction portion of the recipe you will be provided with info on the exact item I use :-)
Mr Bear says
I found my mold at whole food’s. bpa free plastic and you dont have to use the throw away wooden sticks. there are 4 molds with 8 sticks so I can eat one or split in half and share. this recipe is so rich and satisfying that I rarely will eat a whole one because 1/2 of one is so satisfying.
Michele says
At the end of the prep I would add fresh raspberries or strawberries for a little fruit. Or, I would add some cocoa nibs for a little crunch…serious yum. Might add unsweetened coconut for fun one time as well.
Phyllis says
Also, can a food processor be used in lieu of the vitamix? Also, what substitute can one use in place of the vanilla powder – the bean itself and if so, how many beans?
Cynthia Ward says
I would think if you grated the chocolate, or chopped in a food processor along with the date, then mixed, it would work…. Just a thought. I would add the liquid last, reverse order from the VM.
Susan says
Yum – how about adding a few drops of high quality edible peppermint extract so they would be chocolate mint fudgesicles?
Mr Bear says
yes this will work and would taste very good, I would just caution that if you are using a plastic popsicle mold you will end up dedicating that mold to always making something with a mint flavor because the mint extracts will stain the mold.
Marie says
What brand of baker’s chocolate do you suggest?
Elana says
Marie, if you click on the green text in the ingredients portion of the recipe you will be given exact info on the items I use.
Lana says
oh no..looks a new addiction for me
Debbie says
Do you girls think it would work if I used raw cocoa instead of chocolate as I dont buy processed p.kt food
Kate Eliza says
Yes I’m interested as well as I would like to
use raw cacao powder!!!!
Minnie@thelady8home says
Even I would like to try the same, not sure if it would work.
Noel says
Will be curious to hear if anyone uses vanilla extract rather than powder since I already have that.
Mr Bear says
yes, you can use extract.
Beth T says
Due tou little guy’s food allergies, I’d love to try it with a dairy free chocolate substitue. If I remember right, I think bakers chocolate has milk in it. Any suggestions? Thanks for your site!
Noel says
No milk in baker’s chocolate and no sweetener — just chocolate.
Nancy says
100% Pascha Chocolate Unsweetened is lovely.
Theresa says
So excited to hear about how yummy the vanilla powder is, I’ve always wondered why use a powder instead of extract, but it sounds even better than extract. It is out now at Amazon, but Lucky Vitamin has it http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-572540-ojio-ground-vanilla-raw-natural-2-oz
sue says
any grocery store, whole foods, fresh market, trader joes all sell the Vanilla powder, it’s not really a new thing. No need to spend money on shipping – even our local grocery stores carry it. It’s really a nice change instead of real vanilla – which I also use alot.
Kerligirl says
Frontier also has it if you can get it wholesale, like through a co op.
beckles23 says
This looks gorgeous!
Anne says
Hi Elana- This recipe looks great! Question, is the chocolate melted before putting it in with the coconut milk? Or simply chopped? I bought vanilla powder a few months ago but I stopped using it within a week of buying it because of the maltodextrin. Thanks for providing the link to the real thing.
MaryBeth says
Hi. My thought is that, because the chocolate is being put into the Vitamix, you would not have to melt it. The Vitamix will pulverize it.
I can’t wait to try this recipe! Thanks, Elana!