With temperatures soaring in the 90’s, it seemed the perfect time to recreate a childhood favorite….fudgesicles. Traditionally fudgesicles are made with milk, cocoa and sugar. I wanted to make a dairy free version that was also healthier and more nutritious than a store bought version. I decided to make the base out of almond milk and add some superfoods to boost the nutrient content.

Here’s a little info about some of the ingredients I used:

Hempseeds – are a source of easily digestible proteins and are perfectly balanced with a three to one omega 6 to omega 3 ratio. They also contain GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid), essential amino acids, antioxidants, calcium, carotene, chlorophyll, copper, fiber, iron, magnesium, phospholipids, phosphorous, phytosterols, potassium, vitamins B1, B2, B6, D, E, and zinc.

Almonds- offer an extensive number of health benefits. Studies have shown numerous health benefits of nut consumption including reduced incidence of coronary heart disease, gallstones, hypertension, cancer, inflammation, blood pressure and metabolic syndrome.

Maca root powder- is a nutrient rich food that is comprised of approximately 14% protein, 71.4% carbohydrates, 3.6 % fat, and 7.1 % fiber (indigestible carbohydrates). In addition maca offers powerful nutrition benefits such as over 20 amino acids, including 8 essential amino acids,20 free-form fatty acids (such as lauric, linolenic, palmitic acid, oleic, and steric acid), Vitamins B-1, B-2, C and E, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium, Sulphur and Zinc.

Lucuma- is a healthy alternative to sugar. This low calorie, natural sweetener doesn’t increase blood sugar levels. It has anti-inflammatory properties, provides 14 essential trace elements including a considerable amount of potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. It is also rich in antioxidants and B vitamins.

Cacao powder –While over processed chocolate candy can contain nasty additives such as sugar, dairy, saturated fats and preservatives, the real food, cacao is jam packed with nutrients, flavanols, anti-inflammatory properties and anti-oxidants. It is rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese and iron.

Cinnamon- is a potent antioxidant, and just one teaspoon, contains 4 grams of fiber, 68% of the RDV of manganese, 8 % of the RDV of calcium, 4% of the RDV of iron and 3% of the RDV of vitamin K. Cinnamon is also rich in  calcium and potassium.

Medjool dates–Dates are naturally high in fiber, they are also rich in potassium, which means they can also have a positive effect on blood pressure. They also contain impressive levels of calcium, copper, magnesium and manganese all of which are needed to improve bone mineral density.

So let’s get to the recipe!

Healthy Nutrient Rich Superfood Fudgesicles

Ingredients:

• ½ C. Almonds
• 1-1/2 C. Water

Place ingredients in vitamix and blend on high speed for two minutes.

Add the following:

• 3 tablespoons Hempseeds
• 3 tablespoons Cacao powder
• 4 Medjool Dates, pitted
• ¼   teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1-1/2 teaspoon Lucuma
• 1 teaspoon Maca

Directions:

1. Pour evenly into popsicle molds.
2. Insert handle and drip base into mold and allow to freeze overnight.
3. You can enjoy them plain or kick it up a notch and dip them in chocolate and roll them in your favorite topping.
4. Be sure to place them on a parchment lined cookie sheet after you’ve rolled them in a topping, and place in the freezer, so it can set.
5. For the toppings I used almonds, pistachios, cacao nibs, walnuts and a combination of all the toppings.

This guest post was written by Elisha of My Health Maven. She is deeply passionate about educating people and empowering them to lead healthier lives. We encourage you to check out her blog and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

The post What the Fudge!? How to Make Dairy-Free Fudgesicles with Zero Refined Sugar and Additives appeared first on The Hearty Soul.