These homemade vegan fudgesicles are so easy to make, and fun to eat! Dairy and gluten-free, these healthy fudgesicles taste better than storebought vegan novelties – and are more affordable.
Were fudgesicles part of your childhood?
They were definitely part of mine.
I loved fudgesicles, along with all the other ice cream novelties of the day.
Such as “big foot” ice creams! Anyone else remember those?? And of course, creamsicles, and pudding pops (I remember how hard it was to choose between vanilla – butterscotch – chocolate… most often I chose at least two. Yes.)
In fact, I’m pretty sure these novelties – along with custard cones – sparked my love for ice cream.
When I first became vegan over 20 years ago, there were no vegan ice cream novelties. No vegan ice cream. Certainly no vegan fudgesicles. None.
It was a dark, dark time in my life. 😂
I joke. However ice cream is not a joke in my house. You would know that if you got a peek inside my freezer. I keep a variety of my favorites!
In the past few years vegan food has exploded. As a result, we have just about every dairy-free ice cream treat we might desire… including vegan fudgesicles.
However, I haven’t found vegan fudgesicles that I really love.
Just like how I don’t love all vegan ice creams – and I have tried most!
So, this vegan ice cream fanatic created homemade fudgesicles.
Vegan fudgesicles, that is!
In addition, these are a cinch to make.
No ice cream maker is needed, just a blender or food processor. Whiz up the ingredients, and let the freezer do the rest of the work.
This recipe is from Plant-Powered Families. Since we are nearing summer, I’m sharing this recipe along with a video.
As you can see, these vegan fudgesicles are EASY.
By the way, for those of you wondering about popsicles molds, I use this Tovolo brand, and here are some other BPA-free brands.
In PPF there are tips on making popsicles, page 202. If you have a recommendation for popsicle molds, please leave a comment.
So, have you made these treats from PPF yet? Or, will you?!
Enjoy, kids! x Dreena
Vegan Fudgesicles
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup macadamia nut butter or raw cashew butter
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup nondairy milk
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups frozen banana slices
Instructions
- In a blender, puree the macadamia nut butter, coconut sugar, cocoa powder, sea salt, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the bananas and puree again. You will need to scrape down the blender a few times while pureeing. Once the mixture is smooth and liquid, pour into ice pop molds and freeze until set.
photo credit to: Nicole Axworthy
video thanks to: Mihaela Beloreshka
This post was originally published May 2019 and updated for May 2023.
Maggie says
Has anybody tried just putting this in a bowl, freezing it, and eating it as ice cream? I’m really tempted to do it. LOL
Carla says
These are amazing! My first attempt I couldn’t get them out of the molds so I switched to silicone and done! These will become a summer staple – so rich and decadent tasting!
Dreena Burton says
Yay, wonderful! Delighted you are enjoying them, thanks for the lovely review, Carla.
Paula Lee says
Has anyone made these with almond or peanut butter instead?
Dreena Burton says
Hi Paula, if using peanut butter the flavor will come through. They won’t taste as much like fudgesicles, but if you want that for sure try it. Same with almond butter as most are roasted, but if you use raw almond butter that would work well.
Paula says
Thank you for the info. I actually like chocolate and peanut butter so I will give it a try.
Dreena Burton says
wonderful, hope you love them!
Paula says
I did try them and the peanut butter did over power the chocolate. But still good. The next time I will try them with the Mac nuts or cashews. Thank you.
BJ Swingle says
Just made these! I used silicone cupcake molds. So yummy
Dreena says
Thanks for the 5-star review, BJ 🙂
kathy says
I do have coconut sugar in the cupboard, but I wonder if I can use dates instead? Or date sugar? I’m anxious to try these. thanks for sharing.
becca says
Hello! I just ordered our pff book and was looking thru your site for recipes to try until it comes. THis looks so yummy!!!. I stumbled across your site when I read what to feed a baby and when. That was the… best… breakdown I have seen. I can’t even begin to tell you what that means to me. I have a 13 month old born almost a month early. And have dealt with reflux, milk problems… etc. THank the lord she is healed and we are seeing improvement daily. What I notice is she actually prefeered the foods you had listed on the when to try list. So, I printed off your blog post. And it is in my cupboard. And just an fyi…. I was a certified organic farmer…. for 7 years….. am a meat and potatoes gal….. but, that doesn’t seem to work for my little one! So, your cookbook will be on my shelves, getting used by a family that used to warehouse meat, and now I am looking on how to cook plant based. Haha…life is funny sometimes. So, I jsut wanted to say thank you for your post and your site. I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to cooking like this.
Dreena says
Hi Becca, welcome to my site and thank you for this feedback. It is very meaningful to know my post has helped you and your little one! Our diet is a journey, just as life is a journey. Eating plant-based gets easier as you get the swing of things. If you are on FB, be sure to look up my “plant-powered families” group as well – really supportive membership there. Again, thanks, I put a lot of time and effort into that work, and even though it was a while back for me now, it will always be close to my heart!
Sue says
Love, love, love, love these! If the bananas are just perfect, we don’t even need the sugar! Thank you so much Dreena; you are appreciated.
Dreena says
So kind, thank you Sue.
Sarah - The Fit Cookie says
Those look delicious! I love fudgesicles, one of my favorite summertime treats. Push-pops were another one that I ate a lot when I was a kid, I need to figure out how to make some of those allergy friendly!
Dreena says
oh yes, push-pops! Ice creams memories are made of 🙂
Jules Shepard says
Definitely pinning this one! A healthier reminder of childhood!
Diane says
These are MAGIC! I had just made a batch of cashew butter when I saw this recipe. It’s incredibly delicious and so smooth! This will be o. Repeat for the summer.
Dreena says
Nice coincidence! Delighted you loved them so much, thanks Diane. 🙂
Janet Brunell says
Just n FYI, substitute Date Sugar for coconut sugar as it’s a healthier choice.
Thank you for this recipe!
Dreena says
Thanks Janet. Both sweeteners have their features – coconut sugar happens to have a lower glycemic index so can be healthier for some. Date sugar usually a great substitute if you prefer, though sometimes the texture and flavor isn’t optimal. Hope that helps!
Jacky says
My hubby and I loved these! I used 2/3 cup of raw cashews, and mixed everything in my Vitamix. Came out perfectly. So nice to have Fudgesicles that are creamy, not icey in consistency. Thanks Dreena!
Dreena says
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed them, thanks Jacky.
DeAnne says
Can you taste the banana? My dh de hates them and while I like them whole, I don’t like banana flavored anything. I’d really like to try this tho as it sounds great!
Dreena says
DeAnne, I’d say you can taste it somewhat, but it’s not a strong flavor in the fudgesicles.
Nancy says
How many does this recipe make? What kind of non-dairy milk do you use? Sweetened or unsweetened? Rice, almond or soy milk? Vanilla or plain? There are so many possibilities, which one did you use? Thanks!
Dreena says
Choice of milk is really up to you, whatever you like best. Vanilla milk will be a little sweeter.
Stephanie says
This recipe is absolutely fantastic! My kids loved these fudgecicles. I use the Zoku Mini Pop Molds which are perfect for little toddler hands.
Thanks for your wonderful recipes. Very inspiring!
Greetings from Switzerland
Alisa D Simonson says
Just froze some bananas today to try these. Can I just add the raw cashews and some water instead of cashew butter to save myself a trip to the store?
Dreena says
You sure can, just need to adjust for amount.
Emily ryckman says
Do you have other “ice cream treats” recipes? Would love to have a variety of recipes!!
Thanks so much!
Emily
Dreena says
Hi Em!! 🙂 I have a few others posted online, more in my books. But here’s a link with some others! —
chocolate gelato: http://bit.ly/1pEPGv5
banana nice cream: http://bit.ly/11rUqFM
& these use an ice cream maker:
http://bit.ly/2eDCRyG
http://bit.ly/10tz4K8
http://bit.ly/1motdwT
Nice to hear from you xx
Tove says
As a child in the 50’s, I could buy Fudgesicles at the corner store for a nickle. They were one of my favorite treats.
When I found your recipe, I didn’t have cashew butter on hand, so I used 2/3 cup of cashews instead. They were so good that I ate 3/4 of it before they had even had a chance to freeze. I made myself leave one so I could see how the texture turned out after freezing. That was great too.
Thank you!
Anna Spooner says
Do these taste a lot like banana? I don’t mind bananas but I’m looking for a pure chocolate flavor, not choco-banana. 🙂
Louise Kavadlo says
I would like to try your “chocolate cake.” I’m dangerously allergic to chocolate so I substitute carob , which is for people who wish to avoid chocolate. I saw that your frosting is similar to other mostly raw carob confections, which to me, taste like brownies.
Dreena says
I hope you enjoy it with carob, I think carob would taste quite nice in the frosting especially, with the combination of nut butter and sweet potato!
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
These look wonderful, perfect for a healthier treat and I probably would have them for breakfast too. Thanks!
Carrie young says
Do you think sunbutter would work in place of the cashew/macadamia butter? I know cashews have that magic texture, but my son is allergic to that and has to limit all nuts to be sure he doesn’t develop other nut allergies.
Dreena says
Hi Carrie, I think they’ll be fine. Here the cashews lend creaminess but another nut or seed butter will as well. I find sunbutter has a bit of a strong taste but if you’re used to it, then it will sub fine. You can also bump up the flavor with more vanilla as well. Good luck!
Mari says
You know, I didn’t like ice cream when I was a child. And still I’m not so drawn to it when see it outside. But making this delicious treat at home is certanly inviting and a venture I gladly jump into! Thank you for this great recipe, Dreena! And love the photos too, they are stunning!
Alisa Fleming says
These are healthy enough for breakfast popsicles! I mean, not that I would eat popsicles for breakfast 🙂
jacquie says
oh i loved fudgesicles as well. they look so good. but i have to ask what “big foot” ice cream is???? never heard of it and you have me wondering …..
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes says
My kids were just asking for fudgesicles yesterday and I couldn’t quite think of the best way to make a vegan version so we opted for fruit popsicles instead. Had I known you had this delicious recipe up on your blog I would have made them right away! I think I just might make them now as a surprise for them 😉
Becky Striepe says
We definitely ate Fudgesicles as kids. Yours look way better!
Lana Roby says
I’m looking to eliminate any kind of sugar. What could be substituted to make up for the bulk of the coconut sugar. I don’t mind if it’s less sweet.
Dreena says
Do you like dates, Lana? If so, blend in a couple of pitted dates with the mix, should work really well!
Sarah McMinn says
I hear you, Dreena! When I went vegan there was only one vegan ice cream option and it was NOT good. I can’t believe how much vegan ice cream has exploded in the last 6-7 years. It’s wonderful! Also, these fudgesicles look wonderful! I love how healthy and refreshing they look. My kids would love these!!
Ginny McMeans says
Just my kind of chocolate treat! All ingredients are in my cupboard so – happy! 🙂
Dreena says
sa-weet! Enjoy, Ginny 🙂
Tanya says
Ikea and Daiso have inexpensive popsicle molds. I’ve been making my own with chia seeds for quite a while.!
I’m allergic to bananas and often sub other fruit purees (or pumpkin) in recipes. But in this recipe, bananas are the main ingredient!
Ellen says
Did you use your twister jar or the regular blendtec? Thank you!
Dreena says
You can use either here, but for smaller batches like this I usually go with the twister jar. But standard jar will work just fine!
Dianne says
Fudgesicles were my absolute favorite when I was little. Thank you for making a healthy vegan version!
Liz Harris says
This kid is 67 but would love to have these treats in her freezer in the summer. Where do you find the holders. Thanks Dreena
Dreena says
we’re always kids at heart 🙂 For sure, I actually had a link in the post mentioning the Tovolo brand of popsicles that I use, just underneath the video – plus I linked to some other BPA-free brands. Sometimes you can find them in whole foods stores as well. Thanks Liz!
Liz Harris says
Where did you find the holders for the fudgeicles? This kid is 67 but would love to have these treats in the freezer in the summer. Thanks Dreena. Liz
Linda from Veganosity says
Fudgesicles were my favorite frozen treat growing up. These look just like the ones I used to love. Thanks, Dreena!
Ceara says
I loved fudgesicles growing up and these look so rich and refreshing!
Jenn says
One of my favorite childhood treats!!! LOVE pudding pops (a.k.a. fudgesicles). I’m definitely going to have to make these for the kids (a.k.a. ME) this summer! 🙂
Dreena says
You loved pudding pops too? Or did you call fudgesicles pudding pops? I loved both, but I remember pudding pops just ‘disappeared’ for some time. Oh well, we can always make ’em better! Thanks Jenn.
Michelle Discenza says
The pudding pops did disappear!! I love fudgesicles but still miss vanilla pudding pops!! :/
http://www.culinarylore.com/food-history:what-happened-to-jello-pudding-pops
Becky striepe says
These look so good, Dreena! I love the video, too. Super cute.
Dreena says
thanks Becky!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite says
I LOVE fudgesicles!!! We make them here all the time in many different ways but I do love the cashew base version a lot. These are perfect for the summer days ahead!
Dreena says
cashews are magic, I hear you!