Coconut Mango Popsicles

Summer isn’t officially here, but it really is.  Does that make sense?  My daughter graduates from 6^th grade in little over a week and my son finishes up his first year of high school.  Their homework load has greatly diminished and the feeling of freedom and lazy summer afternoons is creeping into our psyche.  It’s the perfect time to start coming up with some fun popsicle recipes, that are fruity and refreshing.

Of course my first frozen creation of the season contains coconut, since I love anything coconut.  As well, a coconut popsicle is creamy, yet lactose free and naturally sweet.  I’ve added mango and lime to the recipe for a tart twist and used stevia in place of sugar to reduce calories in a very healthy way.

Therefore, I broke out my classic, rocket shaped plastic popsicle molds and blended up a tropical concoction that kids and adults will love with little guilt.  The addition of shredded coconut and chunks of mango give the treat some texture and an added burst of flavor.

So in the words of Henry James – “Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”  Add some frozen fruit on a stick and you take summer afternoons to a whole new level.

Coconut Mango Popsicles

makes 6

¾ cup lite coconut milk

¾ cup mango nectar

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 teaspoon stevia

½ cup of sweetened shredded coconut

½ cup of chopped mango

In a blender mix coconut milk, nectar, lime juice, stevia and shredded coconut.  Pour into popsicle molds (Dixie cups with a popsicle stick work really well if you don’t have the molds).  Leave room for chopped mango at the bottom.  Freeze until hard.