These homemade ice pops are the result of a happy accident– I brewed a cup of decaf coffee one morning and totally forgot about it until later in the day. (By the way, this would have never happened before I got pregnant! Now that I don’t drink coffee regularly, it totally slips my mind.) Since the coffee was already cold by the time I remembered it, I decided to try using it in a frozen treat instead. For creaminess, I blended the cold coffee with hemp hearts, which are loaded with protein and essential fatty acids. In fact, hemp hearts are thought to have nearly an ideal ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids, plus they have more of these fatty acids, and more protein, than a similar serving of chia or flax seeds. Naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, these ice pops taste like a fancy coffee drink without any artificial ingredients or preservatives. Enjoy them with or without the caffeine! — Coffee Protein Ice Pops Makes about 5 ice pops Ingredients: 1 cup brewed coffee (decaf or regular) 1/2 cup hemp hearts 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup 1 teaspoon ground coffee Directions: Combine all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender, and blend until silky-smooth and creamy. Taste the mixture to see how you like the taste– you can easily add more sweetener or coffee to suit your taste. Pour the mixture into your favorite ice pop mold (I use this one), insert the popsicle sticks, and freeze until set, about 4 to 6 hours. To remove the ice pops from their mold, fill your sink with hot tap water and place the mold in the hot water bath for 15-30 seconds, just until the pops easily slide out. Serve frozen, and store the extra pops in a sealed container in the freezer.
Notes:
In terms of chemicals and pesticides, coffee is one of the most heavily treated crops, so be sure to select organic varieties whenever possible. I like Trader Joe’s organic decaf French Roast. I used hemp hearts to keep these ice pops nut-free and protein-rich, but any other nut or seed would probably work, too. Feel free to use another sweetener, if you prefer– this recipe is very adaptable, since you can taste as you go. A little bit of separation is normal when freezing these ice pops, so don’t worry if that happens. They still taste great!
Enjoy! — Reader Feedback: Are you a fan of coffee-flavored treats?
