Homemade Strawberry Coconut Paletas: A Refreshing Dairy-Free & Refined Sugar-Free Mexican Popsicle Recipe

Strawberry-Coconut Cream Paletas (Popsicles) are a dairy-free and refined-sugar free version of the classic Mexican treat, reminiscent of the paletas my daughter fell in love with during our family trips.

There’s truly no better way to celebrate life’s special moments, or simply beat the summer heat, than with a delightful icy treat. Today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe for strawberry-coconut cream paletas (popsicles) that not only evokes cherished memories of my summers in Mexico but also offers a healthier, dairy-free, and refined-sugar-free alternative to the traditional Mexican favorite.

A Taste of Childhood: Mexican Summers and Paleterias

Growing up, my family and I embarked on an annual pilgrimage. We’d pile into our trusty, spacious van and drive for 16 hours straight to Chihuahua, Mexico—the very city where I was born so many years ago. These trips, though often just a week long, were packed with invaluable moments. Each day unfolded with the warmth of family, the joy of shared meals, exciting shopping adventures, and, of course, an abundance of irresistible treats.

When most people conjure images of Mexico, their minds often drift to the vibrant taco stands and the savory aroma of street tacos. While I adore a good taco, my personal culinary dreams of Mexico are almost exclusively filled with paleterias! For the uninitiated, a paleteria is a magical popsicle and ice cream shop, a kaleidoscope of flavors offering an astounding variety of paletas, far more imaginative than you could ever conceive. From classic fruit flavors to creamy concoctions, and even spicy or savory options, paleterias are a cornerstone of Mexican culture and a true highlight of any visit.

In my vivid memories, one particular paleteria always shines brightest: La Cascada. It was a charming, small shop, adorned with a riot of colors, situated just a short walk from my grandparents’ bustling home. Our route would take us past the lively neighborhood plaza and directly across from their beautiful church. The journey itself was part of the experience, building anticipation for the cool reward awaiting us.

Year after year, my mom, sister, and I would make our way to La Cascada. With mouths watering, we’d excitedly peruse the frosty paleta coolers, taking our time to select our absolute favorite flavors. Our orders often included a delightful medley of treats—from savory elotes to spicy Dorinachos, and, naturally, a generous selection of paletas. Delighted with our choices, we’d eagerly enjoy our icy treasures on the walk back, often carrying extra paletas carefully wrapped for the rest of the family at home, especially for my wonderful grandmother, who had an undeniable sweet tooth.

The Inspiration: Why “Fresas con Crema” (Strawberries with Cream)?

A more recent and particularly heartwarming memory of visiting that same beloved paleteria dates back about three years ago. That trip was extra special because it wasn’t just my mom and sister joining me; my then two-year-old daughter and husband were also there, experiencing the magic of Mexico for the first time.

It was on that journey that I discovered my little girl’s profound love for paletas, especially for the classic “fresas con crema” (strawberries with cream). I’m still not entirely sure if it’s the rich, sweet flavor that captivates her, or perhaps the enchanting pink hue (that girl absolutely adores anything pink!). Whatever the reason, to this day, “fresas con crema” remains her undisputed favorite.

In honor of my daughter and her very first enchanting trip to my birthplace, I was inspired to recreate a “fresas con crema” paleta. However, I wanted to put my own health-conscious twist on it. These strawberry-coconut cream paletas are crafted using creamy coconut milk and natural honey, making them completely dairy-free and refined-sugar free. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: the ingredients are minimal, and the process is straightforward, yet the results are absolutely fantastic—a creamy, fruity, and delightfully refreshing treat that everyone can enjoy without guilt.

These paletas celebrate tradition while embracing modern dietary preferences, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for health. They offer the same authentic taste and creamy texture of a classic Mexican paleta, but with ingredients that are kinder to your body.

Looking for more healthy frozen delights? Click here for a dairy-free, refined-sugar free, and ridiculously easy one-ingredient ice cream recipe!

Crafting Your Own Strawberry-Coconut Cream Paletas (Popsicles)

Making these luscious strawberry-coconut paletas is surprisingly simple, requiring just a few key ingredients and a bit of patience while they freeze. Here’s a detailed guide to help you create your own batch of this delightful dairy-free Mexican inspired treat.

Essential Prep for the Perfect Creaminess

To achieve the signature creamy texture of these paletas, start by placing a can of full-fat coconut milk in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or even overnight. This crucial step allows the thick coconut cream to separate and rise to the top, leaving the thinner coconut water at the bottom. This separation is key to ensuring your paletas are rich and velvety, not icy.

Preparing Your Strawberries: Two Ways for Texture

Strawberries are the star of the show, and we’ll prepare them in two different ways to give our paletas a wonderful balance of smooth and chunky textures.

• First, medium dice one cup of fresh strawberries. These pieces will be added directly to the molds later, providing delightful bursts of fruit in every bite. Set these aside in a small bowl.
• Next, chop another cup of strawberries into smaller chunks. These will be blended into the creamy base of your paletas, infusing the entire mixture with vibrant strawberry flavor.

Blending the Creamy Base

Now, it’s time to bring all the creamy components together. Add the second cup of chopped strawberries (the ones for blending) to a food processor or a high-speed blender. To enhance the flavor profile and add natural sweetness, also include ¼ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract and 4 tablespoons of honey. Honey is our refined-sugar-free sweetener of choice, providing a lovely depth of flavor that complements the strawberries beautifully.

Retrieve your chilled can of coconut milk. Carefully open it. You’ll observe the thick, luscious coconut cream proudly resting at the top, distinct from the lighter coconut milk beneath. Gently scoop out one cup of this rich coconut cream and add it to your blender. Then, measure out half a cup of the remaining coconut milk and add that to the blender as well. This combination ensures a perfect creamy consistency.

Blend all these ingredients—strawberries, vanilla, honey, coconut cream, and coconut milk—together until the mixture is completely smooth and uniform. Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed to ensure everything is thoroughly incorporated. The result should be a beautifully pink, thick liquid ready for your molds.

Assembling Your Paletas: Layering for Delight

Once your creamy base is ready, it’s time to assemble your paletas. Fill each popsicle mold approximately ¾ of the way with the blended strawberry-coconut mixture. Then, take the medium-diced strawberries you set aside earlier and evenly distribute them among the molds, filling the remaining ¼ of the space. This layering creates an exciting texture contrast once frozen, with creamy and fruity bits in every lick.

Tips for Customizing Your Paletas:

• **For bigger fruit pieces:** If you prefer even more substantial chunks of fruit, you can thinly slice some strawberries and press them against the sides of the popsicle molds before pouring in the blended mixture. This creates a visually appealing and texturally rich paleta.
• **For perfectly smooth paletas:** If chunky fruit isn’t your preference, feel free to omit the medium-diced strawberries entirely. Just be aware that doing so will yield slightly fewer popsicles, as the diced fruit contributes to the overall volume.

Freezing and Enjoying Your Homemade Treat

Once your molds are filled, carefully insert the popsicle sticks and place them in the freezer. Allow them to freeze completely, which typically takes about 3-5 hours, depending on your freezer’s temperature and the size of your molds. For the best results, ensure they are solid all the way through before attempting to remove them.

To easily remove the frozen paletas from their molds, run the molds under warm water for a brief 20-30 seconds. This gently loosens the frozen treat from the mold walls. Then, with a gentle pull on the stick, your perfectly formed, refreshing paleta should slide out effortlessly, ready to be enjoyed.

The Perfect Treat for the Heat

These strawberry-coconut paletas are wonderfully refreshing and not overly sweet, making them an ideal treat for those scorching summer days. The natural sweetness from the honey and strawberries, combined with the creamy coconut, creates a perfectly balanced flavor that both adults and children adore. Both my kids devoured them with immense enjoyment, proving that these healthier alternatives are just as delicious, if not more so!

I genuinely hope you enjoy making and savoring these delightful homemade paletas as much as my family and I do. They are more than just a dessert; they are a bite of summer, a memory of Mexico, and a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients.

More Sweet Treats with Fruit:

• Dairy-Free Duraznos con Crema
• Sweetened Condensed Milk Fruit Salad
• Dairy-Free Strawberries and Cream
• Banana Almond Ice Cream
• Strawberry, Mango and Banana Paletas from Lola’s Cocina

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