Store-bought Bomb Pops or Firecracker ice pops are a yearly tradition at our neighborhood’s 4th of July parade, and my son asks for them long after the holiday is over. This year, I thought I’d make him a healthier version, which you can make at home, too. These popsicles are dairy-free, dye-free, and naturally-sweetened with just a touch of pure maple syrup for a much healthier Independence Day dessert. No food coloring needed! They don’t take long to prepare, but it’s a good idea to make these healthy popsicles when you plan on being home for a while, so that you can freeze each layer to help them set properly.
I used a cute star popsicle mold to make these ice pops look like the popular store-bought brands, but I imagine any popsicle mold you have will make for a cute patriotic treat. I hope you’ll enjoy them!
Substitution Notes:
If you’d prefer to use coconut milk yogurt instead of the culinary coconut milk, I think that would work great for the middle layer, too! I like to use the culinary coconut milk that comes in boxes, rather than cans, but either variety should work just fine. (You could use coconut cream or even coconut butter, too.) I think fresh strawberries work best in this recipe because you don’t have to add a lot of water to help them blend, which is best for flavor. The strawberry layer tastes amazing, so I’d only use the frozen variety if you’re in a pinch. Raspberries would also make a pretty red layer instead of strawberries, but I’d strain the mixture to remove any seeds after blending. The spirulina in the blue layer is optional, because I know not everyone will have it in their pantries. I think it helps lend a little more blue color to the final layer, but if you use just blueberries the color is still fine– just a little more on the purple side. I’ve also found that the final layer becomes more blue once frozen, so don’t be surprised if your mixture looks more purple at first.
Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite 4th of July dessert?
